Planning to attend the funeral or cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, of your friend or colleague? Bear in mind that a funeral is an event where everyone is expected to be on their best behavior.
So, if you’ve never attended a funeral service before, here is everything you should remember when visiting one.
1. Be on Time
There is probably never a more important time to be on time, than a funeral. Try to reach the venue 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
If you are late for a funeral the chances are that you will miss out on the part of the service you aren’t there for, because it is almost impossible for us to hold up service and wait for someone to arrive.
2. Record Your Attendance
Most funeral services will have a memorial or guest book that they want people to sign when they arrive. When you record your details, it is best not to simply sign your signature. Also, add a couple of lines in tribute to the deceased.
It helps the grieving family have an easily legible record of who attended. They may choose to send thank you cards or messages to those that attended, so make sure your name is easily understood.
3. Interact with family
Don’t shy away from approaching the bereaved family and offering your condolences. But don’t try to take a lot of their time.
For families, it can be particularly overwhelming when masses of people are trying to seek them out. Sometimes a grieving person just needs a little space before a funeral to collect their thoughts and emotion.
So, if possible, spend time with the bereaved family members after the service. This is a much more relaxed time and means that you can support them when they need it most.
4. Be Respectful
A funeral is one of those times when nothing less than the utmost respect is acceptable. This means respecting the family, the gathering of mourners, the funeral directors, the clergy, or the celebrant, but most importantly, it means respecting the deceased.
So, conduct yourself with respect, courtesy, and dignity. Never even think of disrespecting the mourning person, even if you have had a strained relationship for years or whatever. Do your very best to be supportive of each other and the family of the deceased.
Be patient if you don’t like something in the event. Just remember where you are and why you are there.
5. Dress Up in proper Attire
Wear what you feel most comfortable in and what you feel is the most respectful outfit for the occasion. It doesn’t have to be all black, but the darker attire is taken as a symbol of grief.
But anything that is not too shiny or attention-drawing is acceptable. Remember that it is a funeral so it is one of those occasions where it’s acceptable to dress up during the day!
In short, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to funerals. But always be on your best behavior before and after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.