Exam 3 (Psychosocial Aspects of Death & Dying Ch. 16)

Question 0

Some thoughts about taking the child to the funeral:

Answer 0

• Child does not have to be present during all of visitation hours
• if the casket is on a bier the child may have to be lifted up to see the body
• The child should have the security of having an adult present at all times
• The child should be allowed to touch the body but should not be forced to do so
• The child should not be allowed to roam the funeral home
• The child should be allowed to participate in the rituals
• The child should be able to observe those who are mourning

Question 1

10 things to tell a child about the death of a loved one

Answer 1

1) tell the child as soon as possible about the death
2) be truthful
3) only share details the child is ready to hear
4) encourage child to express feelings
5) take child to the funeral
6) take child to the cemetery, even if the person is already buried
7) let the child tell others about the death
8) encourage the child to talk about the loss
9) be available to answer the child’s questions
10) never say “you shouldn’t feel like that”

Question 2

Stages of grief for children

Answer 2

• shock
• alarm
• disbelief
• yearning
• searching
• disorganization
• resolution

Question 3

First element in the ‘Searching’ stage of grief for children

Answer 3

Preoccupied & intense thought about the lost person, involving a compulsion to speak to him/her, to review a lifetime of memories about him/her, and to ignore anything not relevant to their presence.

Question 4

Second element in the ‘Searching’ stage of grief for chilren

Answer 4

A sense of waiting for something to happen and a direction of attention to places where the person is likely to be found

Question 5

Third & last element of ‘Searching’ stage of grief for children

Answer 5

Restless, sometimes aimless moving around with inability to sit still, and constant searching for something to do, a scanning of the environment

Question 6

The ‘Searching’ stage will end when

Answer 6

the child realizes that all attempts to restore the lost relationship with the one who has died are unsuccessful.

Question 7

General suggestions concerning children and grief (Alan Wolfelt)

Answer 7

• Be a good observer
• Respond in an empathetic manner
• allow child to express feelings and thoughts
• Be patient & available
• Accept the child’s questions
• Create healthy relationship between you & child