The death of a pet can affect the entire family but it is especially difficult on children. It can be tough to let them know when this kind of tragedy has happened and you may not know what to say or when to say it. If that is something you are going through now and you would like to ensure you speak clearly and how your loved ones need you to, there are some tips that providers of pet cremations in Ballwin, MO want you to keep in mind.
Do not wait too long to let your child know the truth. Many times, parents try to delay having this conversation and that can be an issue. The longer you wait and the more excuses you give your child as to why the pet is not at home can make the entire process much harder. You want to let them know what has happened so they have the chance to grieve when you are grieving.
Tell your child the truth. Parents tend to want to avoid causing their children pain and so may tell them that the pet has run away or is still sick at the veterinarian’s. This is never a good strategy. Your child deserves the truth and you have to provide it. You do not have to give any details unless the child asks.
Let your child know that you are struggling with the grief, as well. Children can feel alone with their grief and that is not something you want them to feel. Let them know that you are also struggling so they feel comfortable reaching out to you if they need to talk.
Offer to do something in memory of the pet. If you chose a cremation and you received the remains back, you can think of ways of doing something meaningful with them. You can scatter them at a favorite spot your pet had or you can even place them in an urn to keep in the house. Ask your child what they think is most appropriate and also offer the chance of having a small ceremony for the pet. This can provide the closure the child needs.
These tips can help you offer your child the truth of what has happened to their pet. This is not something you want to do so abruptly but do tell them the truth so they can start the process of grieving. Be sure to consider offering to have a small ceremony for the animal or doing something with their cremated remains. If you are not sure about what options you have or if you want to know more about losing a pet, you can reach out to a Ballwin, MO pet cremations provider like us at Heartland Pet Cremation. We are ready to help you with all of the services you need after the loss of a pet. Call us today to learn more about all of our options.
