Girl image

They were so close

"She and her grandpa were so close. How can we encourage her to participate at the visitation?"

Child with mom

Is he too young?

"He won't understand what's happening, and he won't remember it.."

"Is it still important for him to attend the memorial service?"

Image of boy

I've been so busy....

"How to I explain this whole funeral thing to him?"

Funeral Directors hear these questions from parents of children and teens every day.

So often, children are left out of the visitation and funeral process, because parents and grandparents
struggling with their own grief and sadness, simply don’t know what to say.

The Star Class

What’s a Funeral Anyway? A Special Time to Always Remember ™ (The STAR Class) is a sensitive, caring approach to helping kids understand the funeral process, through stories, pictures, discussion, a craft activity, and a STAR message.

Help at a Difficult Time

The days surrounding a death can be a confusing and disorienting time for young children. Altered daily routines and unfamiliar sights and sounds can be difficult for them to understand and cope with. Children notice even the most subtle changes in their routines and surroundings.

The STAR Class contains words and images that are not usually a part of everyday conversation for children or adults. Providing children with the opportunity to hear the words of the funeral process, to express feelings and concerns in a creative art activity, and to write a STAR message to their loved one who has died can give them a sense of power over this new experience and help allay fears about what the funeral is all about.

The STAR Class was very helpful for our children. Especially the cremation and burial information. We really didn’t know what to say to them. We have been able to talk about it as a family now that they understand the facts.

-- Mother of Megan (10) and Katie (7)

Learn more about the class

Your Funeral Home can provide this solution!

Set your Funeral Home apart from your competition by providing this service to your at-need families. All you need to get started is The STAR Kit, which contains everything necessary to implement this innovative and valuable program. The Instructor’s Manual takes you step by step through the class with a script, pictures, samples and stories.

Providing this specialty to your Funeral Home’s client families is a wonderful way to show your community that you care.