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Have you talked to your teenager about death? Do you dread having to discuss this topic because you aren’t sure what to say? If you aren’t prepared to discuss death with your teeanger, then the situation could be tougher than is necessary.

Being a teenager is one of the most difficult phases of life. They go through so many emotions as they make the transition between childhood and adulthood. Do you see how dealing with death could heighten those emotional feelings?

If you’re interested in learning more about discussing death with your teens, then spend 20 minutes listening to this episode of Forever in their Hearts where host Erik Reynolds interviews Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver, about what to do when someone your teenager knows passes away.

It is important that teens not become depressed when someone they know dies. The Daily Mail* says that depression as a teengaer can affect your relationships up to 25 years later. This interview is a chance to learn tips for helping teens deal with death.

Helping Teenagers Deal with an Unexpected Death

The episode kicks off with information about how to talk to your teeangers about death when you didn’t plan to do so. Valeries suggests the one thing parents really need to focus on when trying to help their teens.

Teenagers are at a difficult time in life. This is something Valerie understands as a parent in the Vancouver area. She goes on to share personal insight from going through these types of situations with her own family.

If you have trouble communicating with your teenager, then not knowing how to deal with an unexpected death can add more stress to an already tense situation.

How Death Affects the Daily Life of a Teenager

Next Valerie discusses helping teens deal with death in regards to how it affects daily life. During the podcast she also provides the answers to these and other questions:

- Should I let my teenager stay home from school?
- What kind of behavior can I expect from my teenager?
- How long will my teenager need to deal with a death?
- Is it okay to let teens attend the funeral if a peer dies?

Now ask yourself two questions: Have you discussed death with your teenager? Are you prepared to help your teen should an unfortunate tragedy occur in Vancouver or beyond? If you answered no to either of these questions, then it’s time to learn what to do so you’ll be ready.

Where to Turn If Mourning Turns into Depression

Then Valerie turns to the topic of helping teens through the grieving process. She explains where you can turn if your teen is having a tough time dealing with death, even if it’s the death of a beloved family pet or a celebrity that they admire.

Grieving isn’t a mental health issue, but if goes on for an extended period of time then you might need to seek help outside basic resources. Valerie explains how a funeral home can help direct you to the proper places.

A funeral home has so much experience in helping family members of all ages deal with death. What’s stopping you from asking them for help for your teenager?

The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing some final thoughts about the resources that parents of Vancouver teens can use to help them deal with death.

Are You Ready to Discuss Death with Your Teen?

How will you talk about death with your teen when the time comes? Could you use more tips for helping teens deal with death? Listen to the entire podcast now.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1
Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1

*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2623324/Being-depressed-angry-teenager-affect-love-life-25-YEARS-later.html