Thoughts?

jcsntms06 · January 2011

Would you take a baby to a funeral service?

Background: My Dad's best friend committed suicide last weekend, the funeral service is being held on Saturday at 10 a.m. DH and I would like to go, pay our respect, show support for my father. DH thought we could take baby. Everyone we know is pretty much going. I've asked a friend to watch A. She won't really know, but I rather not have any distractions, during this difficult time.

Thoughts?

Teagiedo · January 2011

If you have to bring your LO. I would take turns with your husband going in and paying respects. BUT if you see other babies there i would def change that and just go in together.

mrs. remy · January 2011

Aw, Jen I am sorry to hear that, how sad. I have definitely seen babies at funerals before so I don't think it would be a big deal if you took her.

weezie825 · January 2011

No, I probably would not. (Unless I had absolutely no alternative.) But that is a very personal decisi9on and I don't think that anyone would think poorly of you if you took your LO.

jcsntms06 · January 2011

Thanks ladies. I'm trying to find a sitter.

Cooper81 · January 2011

Is the service up near you? We've taken John to a viewing, but not a funeral, and we only stayed like 20 minutes.

KathrynMD · January 2011

We've taken Ella to church a few times and she's been fine - relatively quiet, just watching what's going on. I think if you are going generally to show your respects and be there for others, I would probably take her and your dad would probably appreciate seeing her there. If you think you will be very upset, I think that would upset Annabelle and probably wouldn't take her. When DH's friend died a few weeks after Ella was born, we did leave her with my mom - we were so new to parenting and jsut thought it would be easier for her and us to leave her at home.

Mrs.Wtobe · January 2011

I've been to viewings where there were young kids and honestly I think the adults enjoyed having them there as they were somewhat a distraction and helped to lighten the mood a bit. However, I know a funeral service is a lot different that a viewing and you and only you know how A may act during the ordeal.

daisyterp · January 2011

We took E. to DH's grandmother's funeral (there was no viewing- I think that w/ a toddler a viewing would be more difficult.) And she was fine- she had no idea what was going on- she was a year and 3 or 4 months at the time.

As a pp said I think a lot of people enjoyed seeing her and that she was a nice distraction/source of levity, especially at the little post-service gathering. DH's cousin got a sitter for her 2 LO's (also great-granddaughters.)

KRMac · January 2011

I'm sorry for your loss.

I think it would be fine. We went to a friend's dad's viewing and funeral a few months ago. We left DS with my dad for the viewing (and he went to another viewing), but it would have been fine - there were other babies/kids there.

jcsntms06 · January 2011

Cooper81:
Is the service up near you? We've taken John to a viewing, but not a funeral, and we only stayed like 20 minutes.

It's in Baltimore County. A's godparents are going to watch her. I was just wondering if I could bring her, in case I couldn't find a sitter.

autumn bliss · January 2011

I'm sorry for your loss Jen. My Pop just died on Christmas and DD did fantastic at a 3 hour viewing and 3 hour dinner reception after, and then a 1 hour viewing, 1 hour church service, 20 min service at the gravesite, and 2 hour reception afterwards. Honestly, and I think someone else said this, she provided a welcome relief from grief as she was the only child there. People, including those very close to us and obviously grieving hard, couldn't get enough of her and said it was nice to be able to smile.

jcsntms06 · January 2011

autumn bliss:
I'm sorry for your loss Jen. My Pop just died on Christmas and DD did fantastic at a 3 hour viewing and 3 hour dinner reception after, and then a 1 hour viewing, 1 hour church service, 20 min service at the gravesite, and 2 hour reception afterwards. Honestly, and I think someone else said this, she provided a welcome relief from grief as she was the only child there. People, including those very close to us and obviously grieving hard, couldn't get enough of her and said it was nice to be able to smile.

Christy I'm sorry to hear about your Pop. I've gotten some feedback from some of my family members and they are kind of split on Annabelle being there. I figure it's just easier w/o distraction. Thanks for your insight though.

Want a personalized experience?

Thoughts?

Re: Thoughts?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards