Explaining about death/heaven to young dc's

[bensam]

Hello. I have another thread on the parenting forum about dc's seeing granddad's body and attending funeral but I'd like to ask people on here about how best to explain about the body/cremation and going to heaven. We're Christians. Dc's are 5 & 7.
TIA

My sons grandad passed away when he was 6. The worst conversation I've had to have with him thus far, explaining that gramps would be around anymore??

We are Christians too so my son had some understanding of heaven, we just stressed the positives that heaven was a beautiful place and that after our life on earth heaven is where we go to have another life. And that one day we would all be together in heaven and it would be wonderful.

I guess you just have to say and do what you think is best.

On the funeral front, I believe that under 10's certainly under 8 is too young to attend (unless very close family member ie. Parent or sibling) and I wouldn't let a young teen see the body. Just my view.

Thank you newbie. They want to attend so I'm going to let them. Admittedly, I'm a bit worried about how they're going to react but having spoken to people who as children, weren't allowed to go to their relative's funeral, I think it's probably better to let them. I have a friend who will help if they become too upset i.e. take them outside. It's going to be a short service anyway.
I've tried to explain again tonight - DD1 seems to understand that it's just the body which is left behind.

Ever since my 6yo's DGF died a few years ago, I've tried to normalise death and heaven (we're Christian and she goes to a RC school). We talk about life cycles in humans and nature, how death is natural but not the end, how lovely heaven is and means we continue in some shape or form forever. She seems very accepting of this. We never shy away from the subject of death.