Funeral Etiquettes That Will Help You Leave a Good Impression

by Tony Wilson Marketing Manager

The passing away of someone you know can be a very tough situation to deal with. If this is your personal loss, things will be even more complicated to handle, but if not, your first responsibility is to offer bereavement support and encouragement to immediate family members. However, people are mostly confused about what to say to them or what to do in this situation. You are not alone, and many people feel this way. There are a number of other questions that people try to find the answer to, like what to wear, whether to bring children to the funeral homes or not, what to say to the family of the deceased, when should I visit the funeral homes, etc. All these questions are a part of the etiquette to follow while visiting the funeral ceremony. In this article, we have attempted to answer some very common questions.

What To Say To The Family Of The Decreased?

It can be difficult to understand what to say to the grieving family and how to express your sympathy. According to the experts from funeral homes in Sydney, you can begin by offering your condolences to the family. If the family and you both are comfortable, you can share a memory of the deceased. Remember, this is a difficult time, and sharing a moment of joy you spent with the dead will comfort the family members. However, this should be attempted very carefully and after assessing the entire situation closely. There is a right time to share this memory of joy with the deceased, and you must look for that opportunity when communicating with the family members.

What To Wear At Funeral Homes?

Every funeral director in Sydney will advocate wearing dark and subdued colours while attending a memorial service or a funeral at funeral homes. Subdued colours include dark blues, greys, browns, and black. It is important to dress as simply and conservatively as possible. Men can wear a jacket and tie paired with dress shoes while visiting a funeral home. On the other hand, women can choose a dress or a suit, or any sober and subtle jewelry will go with the dress.

What Is The Right Time To Arrive At Funeral Homes?

Here also, every funeral director in Sydney will advocate visiting at least 15 minutes before the time mentioned in the invitation card. This will allow you to park your vehicle safely and make some quick preparations, like brushing or combing your hair, cleaning and setting up your dress, applying perfume, etc., before entering the funeral homes. Try to enter the facility as quietly as possible and talk to the usher regarding the seats. If there are no ushers to guide, remember that the first few rows are reserved for immediate family members and close friends. You can choose any seat in these rows if you fall in this category. However, if you are one of the acquaintances, you must appropriately sit in the middle row or on the seats towards the rear part.

When To Visit The Family After Hearing About Death?

Experts from funeral homes recommend visiting the family as soon as possible upon learning of the death. This is the right time to be with the family members and offer bereavement support, sympathy, and condolences. This is a very overwhelming time for the deceased's family, and you can help them by assisting in child care, food preparations, receiving visitors, or funeral preparations. Any action you take will provide immense comfort to the family members, and they will remember this for the rest of their lives.

What Flowers To Take Two Funeral Homes?

Flowers are a fantastic way to express your sympathy and condolences to bereaved family members. They bring comfort in difficult times and, hence, are considered a meaningful gift to take to funeral homes in Sydney. These flowers or plants can be sent to the funeral home, or you can take them to the deceased's home directly.

What Not To Say?

In this regard, every funeral director in Sydney will recommend not using words that minimise the loss. For example – 'it's probably for the best because they were suffering too much.' Statements like this will not comfort the grieving family member immediately after the death. Moreover, you should wait for the family to discuss the cause of the death rather than bringing it up yourself.

Experts from funeral homes in Sydney also recommend turning your smartphone 'off' or utterly silent during the memorial service or while at the funeral home. You must avoid checking your phone repeatedly, as it can distract people sitting around you. As far as bringing children to funeral homes is concerned, this decision is entirely up to you. However, you must not force them to accompany you if they are not in the mood.