Should You Attend a Funeral of a Friend?
“I don’t know if I should go.” It’s something that many people say to themselves when it comes to attending a funeral. It’s a sensitive subject that must be treated delicately, and the rules of etiquette around funeral attendance can be confusing. Not only must your personal relationship to the deceased and their family be considered, but given the current state of the world and the ongoing pandemic, the state of your current health and the potential risk you pose to others must also be considered.
Your friends at Trinity Memorial Gardens have come up with a quick reference guide for you to use if you are asking yourself “Should I go?” before an upcoming funeral.
When You Should Attend the Funeral
According to Funeral Wise, a general rule of thumb is that you should attend a funeral if the deceased is a close friend or family member, the bereaved is a close friend or family member, or you want to show support for the person’s loved ones. You should also attend the funeral if the deceased was a public figure in whom you have an interest and the services are open to the public.
EveryDay suggests that when you do go to the funeral, you should arrive on time (or early if you can), wear muted colors, sit towards the middle, and turn your phone on silent. It is also in poor taste to take pictures during the ceremony (unless the family specifically says otherwise).
When You Should NOT Attend the Funeral
Even if the deceased was a close friend or loved one, there are circumstances in which you should not attend a funeral. Funeral Wise suggests that it is best to avoid physical attendance of a funeral if your presence would be distracting or even upsetting to the family, the funeral services are private and not open to the public, the services are out of town, or if you are physically ill and your presence could get others sick.
If You do NOT Attend the Funeral, You Can Still…
Even if you are not physically present at a friend’s funeral, you can still find ways to support them and their loved ones during this most difficult time. At the very least, you can check in with grieving family members. Remembering a Life suggests inviting them to tell you stories about their loved one, and in return, you can share stories of your own. You can also sign a virtual guest book on the funeral home’s website, make a monetary donation in the deceased’s name to a meaningful organization, or send a handwritten note about a memory you have of the individual and how they made a difference in your life. You can even offer to have food delivered to their home or make a meal from scratch.
Trinity Memorial Gardens is a picturesque facility that combines a funeral home, chapel, crematory and a cemetery. We are proud to be independently owned and operated, which gives us a better opportunity to provide a more personal and compassionate level of service for our families. The caring staff at Trinity Memorial Gardens is here to assist you with arrangements and provide pre-planning information for all walks of faith.
We invite you to discover what has made Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery the ultimate provider of creating healing experiences in the community. Visit our website today to find out more information about how we can honor your loved ones' memory in the way they deserve.
Sources:
https://www.funeralwise.com/2017/06/15/should-you-attend-the-funeral/
https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/2017/08/17/funeral-etiquette/
https://www.rememberingalife.com/covid-19/supporting-friends-and-family-when-a-funeral-isnt-possible
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