We just returned from Michigan to attend my father-in-law's funeral. I had no idea what my daughters would be like during this three day event. Before we left for the Since my girls range in ages from 14 to 5, I knew we were going to have to deal with each one individually. My husband had very exact ways he wanted them to react and say and do. I, on the other hand, wanted them to feel like they could express their grief in whatever way they felt comfortable. I do not believe forcing a child to view a dead body is really a good idea, but my husband thought they all should. As it turns out, all four girls said their goodbyes the way they felt comfortable. They actually did get comfortable with looking at my father-in-law, but it was confusing to them because he did not look at all the way he did in life. Since the viewing lasted for seven hours straight, they began to feel more and more at ease with everything. As funerals tend to go, it turned out to be a welcome reunion with many of my husband's cousins and aunts and uncles. It was a chance for everyone to see our children and also reflect on my father-in-law and the legacy he left. Now the really hard stuff starts for my mother-in-law and my husband and all of us really in getting accustomed to not having my father-in-law around. It seems so strange that we will not see him anymore here on earth. I think the hardest thing is to watch how sad and lost my husband looks now. . .