Pennsylvania Babies

funerals and kids/babies

DH's grandfather passed away and my inlaws want us to bring the girls to the viewing and funeral.  I don't feel comfortable doing this.  If I didn't have a babysitter then maybe I'd consider it, but it just seems weird to bring children to a funeral...Plus Sierra can't sit still so I'd have to run after her and try to take care of Savannah at the same time.  Would you take your infant and toddler to a viewing and funeral if you didn't have to?

Re: funerals and kids/babies

  • I probably would not if I didn't have to.  I have taken DS to a funeral, he was only a few months old so it wasn't like he was running around and we didn't have a sitter.
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  • I don't have one but I wouldn't....possibly the viewing if they want to see them since that's not sit down and you can get in and out if you need to. I definitely wouldn't do the funeral unless absolutely necessary though.
  • My great grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. The viewing was on a Thurs. evening, and I took Andrew to that. DH works until 7:00, so it was just me and Andrew (long story on how DH couldn't get time off). I probably could've had my ILs watch Andrew for those few hours, but it would've been more of a pain for me to leave work, get him from daycare, get things together, drive to ILs, go to viewing, pick up Andrew, and head home. I knew some of my relatives would have their children there, too. He did run around and we didn't stay the entire viewing, but we made it through most of it. There were some people who haven't seen Andrew in awhile, so they got to say hello,etc. I was not going to take him to the service. There would've been no way a 19 mo would've sat still through it and I would've probably felt a bit embarrassed if he wasn't quiet, etc. My cousin did have her newborn there, though, b/c she was unable to find a sitter for her. My opinion - if you don't mind them running around with the other kids that are there, then I would consider taking them to the viewing. I wouldn't take them to the service unless absolutely necessary.  I'm sorry for your loss...you're family will be in my prayers.
  • I wouldn't take them to the viewing or the funeral if I didn't have to, but I would arrange it for them to make it to the breakfast afterwards, if there is one. 
  • At Colby's age I would take him he is very good when we are out and would most likely just sleep. If I had an older child I didn't think could be good for that amount of time I wouldn't take them. Also I would never take a child to a viewing where they would actualy see the body.
  • Sierra and Nina are only weeks apart in age and I know exactly what you mean about her not being able to sit still.  There's no way I would take Nina to something like that unless it was a last resort.  Savannah would be a different story as she is still probably sleeping a lot.  However, if you had a sitter for both girls, then I'd go that route.  I'm sorry for your loss.
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