Death in a Child's Perspective

Last Friday, a dear 85 year old lady from our church passed away. She was affectionately known to everyone in our parish as "Grandma Mary."

This has been the first taste of death my children have been exposed to. We tried to be very honest with them and to explain that although it is sad to lose her, she is now in a very happy place with God.

Having a casket in the church with a deceased person brought up many comments from my daughters. These girls brought a calming humor in an otherwise somber time.

Genevieve: "When are they going to open up her cage?"

Jocelyn: "Will I be at school when that lady dies on Monday?" (referring to her funeral?)

Genevieve: "Can she breathe in there with that closed?"

Genevieve: "Does that hurt her head to lay on that?"

Or one of the best comments I heard from a little 3 year old at church: "Why does she have her gwasses (glasses) on if she is sweeping (sleeping)?"