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Humans desire closure, and this is why we have funerals. Many children do not understand precisely what death means. Funerals can often enlighten them as to what it means. It sounds harsh, but it's really a necessary thing for a child to figure out. Children are not any different than adults in their desire for closure in a situation, and to not take a child to a funeral for a close relative would probably do more harm than good. Learning about death is not a bad thing. It is crucial that young children know what it is and know that their relatives are not coming back.
I would say that she did the right thing in taking him to the funeral, but of course a funeral must be given some framework first, and some explanation. The child must have an adult that they can ask questions of in this situation, and I hope she provided that for him.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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