Many parents have difficulty deciding whether or not to take children to the funeral. I firmly believe that the best answer is to take the children and let them experience a funeral. Again, there will be questions and comments, but at least the child will see firsthand what is involved in a funeral. If you leave a child at home, he or she will wonder what is going on at the funeral and why he or she could not go. This will bring up a lot of questions and misperceptions. The child may think of funerals as scary. The funeral becomes something unknown to the child, and that is the most frightening feeling. Include children as much as possible. If you experience a death of someone who was not really close to the child, this may be a good opportunity for you. Take the child along to this funeral and he or she will see what is going on without a great deal of emotion, or less emotion possibly than a close friend or family member.