How should a practitioner approach an 8-year-old child who has lost a sibling to SIDS?

Encouraging the family to allow the child to participate in the funeral can be beneficial for the child's grieving process. Participation in the funeral can provide the child with a sense of closure and a way to say goodbye to their sibling. It also helps normalize their feelings of grief and fosters an understanding of death within the context of their family's beliefs and traditions.

Involving children in rituals associated with loss can empower them and help them feel included in the family’s collective mourning experience. It creates an opportunity for the child to express their feelings openly and to learn that it is normal to grieve. This participation can also lead to valuable discussions about death, emotions, and how to cope, which can further facilitate the child's emotional development and understanding.

While other approaches may seem supportive, they may inadvertently isolate the child from an important experience that can aid in their healing. For example, limiting exposure to the funeral may prevent the child from processing their grief, while simply advising them to stay with close relatives could create additional feelings of separation. Encouraging the expression of anger, while important, may not address the broader need for the child to participate in mourning activities. Thus, allowing participation in the funeral aligns with best practices in helping children cope with loss.