10 Tips on Funeral Etiquette Everyone Should Know

Attending a funeral is always an emotionally charged experience, especially if it is your first time. To make sure that you don’t accidentally commit a faux pas, here are some etiquette tips to keep in mind.

Contacting the Family

Following the death of someone you care about, it’s important to contact the family and let them know that you share their grief. How you do this will depend on how close you are to the family. For a close friend, you can visit them in person. If you’re not, you might opt to give them a call or you can send a sympathy card.

Sending a Sympathy Gift

During the bereavement process, it’s common to send a gift to the mourning family, as a way of expressing your sympathy. Typically, this will take the form of flowers. If you aren’t sure what type of flowers to give, you can ask the funeral director for help. You can also use a card or a gift voucher.

Donations in Lieu of Flowers

Sometimes, the family will ask for a donation in lieu of flowers. This means that, instead of giving flowers as a bereavement gift, you will donate to a charity that the beloved deceased was passionate about.

What to Say

During the funeral, it can be tough to know what you should say to a grieving family member. You might want to simply express your condolences. Alternatively, you can share your favorite story.

Things to Avoid Saying

There are also a few things that you should avoid saying at a funeral. Don’t speculate about what caused the death. It’s also important to avoid any criticisms of the funeral and the way the event has been organized.

Stay off the Phone

One of the biggest signs of disrespect at a funeral is being on your phone during the service. Before it begins, place your device on silent. Better yet, turn it off altogether.

What to Wear to the Funeral

One of the most important things to consider is what you are going to be wearing to the funeral. Traditionally, it’s common to wear black. Though some ceremonies might opt to celebrate the life of those who have passed. In this case, you might be asked to wear their favorite color.

Where to Sit

At a funeral, there won’t be any formal seating plans. But that doesn’t mean that you can sit wherever you choose. Most commonly, people who were closest to the beloved deceased will sit at the front.

Bringing Children

If your children were an important part of your loved one’s life before they passed, they should be able to attend the funeral to say goodbye. However, parents might want to stay close to the doors. This allows children to leave the room for a few moments if they become too emotional.

What to do if You’re Unable to Attend the Funeral

Sometimes, you won’t be able to attend the funeral. In this case, you should reach out to the family and express your sympathy. For a close friend, this can be through a phone call. You can also send a text or a sympathy card.

Conclusion

Funerals are a highly emotional time. You don’t want to accidentally make the bereavement process worse for someone by saying or doing something insensitive. But as long as you as respectful towards the grieving family, you shouldn’t have any problems.