Children's Understanding of Funeral Ritual

One hundred-twenty children who experienced the death of one of their parents were interviewed about their view of the funeral ritual. Ninety-five percent of them attended the funeral. Shortly after the death they recalled little about the funeral. Two years later, children reported that it was important to them that they had attended. Attendance helped them to acknowledge the death, provided an occasion for honoring their deceased parent, and made it possible for them to receive support and comfort.