Cremation

Thank you to Iluvmylife for the hospice link on cremation....it makes some sense.

For us though, I did use the analogy of logs burning in a campfire. Not sure how else to explain how a body gets turned to ash? My kids were 3 and 5 when I used the analogy, and for them it made sense, as we do a lot of camping. I explain that everything in a fire eventually turns to ash, houses, toys, etc. It's what happens. I'm usually a little more literal than most, however.

I'm very sorry for your loss. ((((hug))))

I'm so sorry you lost your sister!

I looked it up and it says to say they are put in a very hot room and their body turns into ashes. The key is not to use the words fire or burnt. Here's a link to what I read.

http://www.thehospice.org/resources_support/downloadable_...

I work in the death care industry and have for many years. I have explained cremation to my son (now 7) and he was curious and accepting. Once they know that the soul, spirit, life is somewhere else it's a pretty simple concept.
It's a thousands of years old practice, and popular today as a method of final disposition. You can also explain ground burial and mausoleum entombment as other options that people may choose. Good luck!

Denise P. has a good answer...I would also play up the benefit of scattering your loved ones ashes...or keeping them with you forever...that might help with the understanding of Why? this would be chose...because I know the "being burnt" part can be difficult to explain.

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This probably won't help you but anyway... My son--he's 7-- likes Star Wars and in those movies when someone dies...like Qui Gon Jinn or Darth Vadar...they burn the body. So when my father died and was cremated I told my son it was like that and he was very glad to hear that because the burning of the bodies on Star Wars is an honorable thing to do. Also on Star Wars they show the spirit of the person being burned watching the whole burning ceremony so my son saw that and it helped him with the idea that the spirit leaves the body and goes on and the person you love is not being hurt by the cremation.

I would also include your son in any of the memorial ritulas. If the ashes were scattered, let him know why they were scattered in that particualr place, or if they are in an urn, or buried, let him know where, and take him there. Share special memories, and he will accept this as a normal part of life.

Hugs to you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I would just try to tell the truth about the process as simply as possible, making sure that he understands that she's not in that body any more, the body is just like a rock that has no feeling once a person has died.

Well, if you are religious, use the dust to dust thing...........and that some people don't like to be buried.........without going into to many details.........Tell her that your sister wanted to become dust.....so that is what the family did...........If she is in an urn, then explain to her that she is with whomever has the urn......if you sprinkled her remains somewhere explain that she is there.......

I would tell her that your sister wanted something different than some and that her body isn't important anymore......you did what she wished and that she is happy.......

Good Luck....I know 6 year olds can be relentless!

Hum, well eventually we all turn into dust, even if we are buried. The difference is that some of us do not want to take up the space that a coffin takes up. Also I feel like I do not want my family and friends to feel like they need to visit a cemetery.

Instead I want them to remember me like I am now. So I will be cremated and am willing to leave money for whoever ends up with my dust, to either go in a trip and toss the dust into nature, or to toss me whereever and enjoy the money.

I would keep it simple and straight forward. When the soul leaves the body, there are ceremonies that occur. Some people have their bodies buried, some cremated. You can even look up some ceremonies with this. I forget which country it is that they burn the body to release the soul to heaven, etc.

Is your sister's remains in an urn? Were they scattered? Or were they buried? You can let your daughter know where they are and that that location is the remembrance place if she doesn't have a tombstone.

I would first give a broad explanation and see if that's sufficient. There may be more questions or that may be satisfactory. I would say something like "bodies turn back to earth" and talk about how plants and other animals do the same thing. Watch her reactions and listen for any questions. Some kids only need a bit and others want more details. I liked Iluvmylife's answer too.