Do babies typically attend funerals?

LI444 · January 2010

My grandpa died last night. I think the rest of the family (grandma, aunts and uncles, etc) would probably really enjoy having him there, considering how he was passed around at Christmas, but I've never been to an actual funeral before. I'll probably bring him anyway, but is it weird to bring a baby to a funeral?

myantonia · January 2010

I brought DS to the wake of a family friend.... I wasn't sure what to do.... but people seemed to appreciate seeing him as a little bit of stress relief.

BTW... sorry about your grandpa!!!

rosesandpeonies · January 2010

I really think that I wouldnt bring him to the wake (obviously if you have noone to watch him that is a different story), but the funeral is probably ok. I am sorry for your loss.

meshl · January 2010

I brought our baby to a memorial when she was 2 mo. old. It was out of town and there was no way I was leaving her home but I never even thought about not bringing her. I guess it depends on if you have tons of people readily available to watch her, other than family, since they would all be there. I wouldn't.

thatgirlang · January 2010

Sorry for your loss. It's not unusual to see a baby at a funeral in a case where it's the baby of someone who was closely related to the deceased. We took DS1 to a funeral when he was a baby and I had my doubts too. But everyone was SO happy that he was there in their time of sadness.

christin3580 · January 2010

Sorry to hear about your grandfather.. I would bring the baby to the funeral... I brought Ava to one a week before christmas she did very well...

iowagirl73 · January 2010

I just attended a wake and funeral for DH's grandma Sunday/Monday and brought both boys. They both did awesome. I did have help for the funeral though but had I just had the baby I wouldn't have needed the help. The help was more for my toddler son. FWIW, most of the family hadn't seen DS2 yet so all were very pleased to have gotten to see him and see DS1.

jonsdeedee · January 2010

My DH's grandmother died a few days ago. The funeral is tomorrow. DD is staying home because it is really cold out and it will be a very long day. My parents are watching her.

LI444 · January 2010

Thank you for the condolences. I'll probably ask my mom what she and my dad would like me to do, although the only one I could think of to ask to babysit (since all of my family will obviously be there) would be my SIL, who has never changed a diaper and probably wouldn't be comfortable for long.