The Role of Ritual in Children's Bereavement

Abstract

Three hundred and eighteen parent-bereaved children aged 5–17 recruited from the community and their surviving parents were interviewed at 1, 6, 13, and 25 months post-parental death about their participation in funeral related rituals and subsequent adjustment following the death. Nearly all the children attended their parent's visitation, funeral, and burial. Children from families who did not have such rituals fare less well over time. Children who reported internalizing or externalizing behavior at rituals were more likely to experience some increased problems in the first two years post-death. Children who were withdrawn or quiet during the rituals had fewer subsequent problems than children who acted out during these rituals. Visitation attendance was associated with better outcome one and two years later. The symbolism of rituals (e.g., playing a favorite song) often brings comfort to child survivors. Cremation does not appear to have any negative effect on children's outcome.