Funerals are intense and solemn affairs attended by several grieving people. Searching for funeral homes Reading, PA is an emotional process.
You need to be considerate and courteous while attending a funeral service, despite your unruly feelings and emotions. People who have never attended a funeral before often make mistakes and can cause offense.
Here are the top funeral etiquette tips that can help you get through the event without hurting anyone’s feelings.
Wear Something Respectable and Dark Colored
Wearing jeans and a t-shirt to a funeral is definitely not a good idea. While males should go for formals, females should try to wear modest dresses and pants. You should also avoid loud and bright colors like blue, red, bright pink, etc. as they are generally not suitable for a funeral ceremony.
Leave Early and Arrive Early
Arriving late at a funeral ceremony is something that is not appreciated. You should try arriving early for a funeral, keeping a buffer for traffic conditions and unexpected delays. If you can’t avoid being late, make sure you enter the funeral home as quietly as possible.
Don’t disturb anyone during the funeral ceremony by talking or trying to find a place at the front. Just take a seat at the back so that no one is distracted because of you during the service.
Switch Off Your Phone
A funeral is a solemn affair, and a phone call or a message beep can disrupt the people attending the ceremony. Attending to such calls can also be taken as being disrespectful to the ceremony and the deceased. Keep your phone on silent or switch it off before you enter the funeral home.
Do not attend to any calls while the ceremony is going on, not even by stepping out to accept them.
Ask to Hear Stories About the Deceased
Grieving people love to remember the deceased soul. It is always good to ask them stories about the deceased. It comforts them and heals them to narrate stories about the person. If you still feel short of words, you can simply hug the grieving person and listen to them. You need not be very close to them; just your presence will make them feel taken care of.
Sit Near the Middle or Back
Well, if you aren’t among the close friends or family of the deceased, it is better to safely choose a seat in the middle or at the back. The first two rows at a funeral service are generally reserved for very close friends and immediate family members.
Support the family
Patience is the key while talking to a grieving person.
Avoid using the terms “time will heal” or “you will need to move on.” People don’t get over the loss of a loved one but over the period get to live the life with their memories. Show your support by making it less stressful for them. Share their loneliness and sadness. That’s the best way to support them.
No one wants to think about funeral homes Reading, PA, but death is an unfortunate part of life that no one can avoid. To make the process less painful, it’s important to choose a funeral company that you can trust. At Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., we’re committed to serving our customers in their time of need. Call us today at (610) 779-2800 or stop by at 6 Fairlane Rd, Reading, PA 19606.