Should You Attend the Funeral?

Someone you know has passed away. You’ve been at invited to the funeral at Sinking Spring, PA funeral homes. Should you attend? The answer isn’t obvious. If you have to ask the questions, it means you need to really to think about where your hesitation is coming from.

Why are You Nervous?

If you’re not sure you want to go to the funeral because you’re afraid you’ll be too emotional, try to remember that you won’t be alone. Everyone will be on edge. Some people might cry. Others might sit stone-faced, unable to move during the ceremony.

Skipping your loved’s one funeral may come back to haunt you. You need to pay your respects in some way in order to move on. For many people, a funeral serves a chance to do this. It’s not your only option, however. You can choose your own method to soothe your grief.

If you’re nervous about attending the funeral because of a more personal reason, examine that as well.

Are You Related?

People will expect you to attend the funeral if the deceased is an immediate family member. It would look very strange not to show up unless you had an ironclad reason. The etiquette involving more distant family members is less clear.

It’s often customary to invite the deceased’s entire family to the funeral, including people who weren’t especially close to them in life. If a relative who you didn’t know very passes away, you have to think about what you want to do. In that situation, one of the things you might consider is what the rest of the deceased’s loved ones will think. Your presence might be a balm to the rest of your family.

Where are You?

There’s a stronger expectation that you’ll attend the funeral if you live in the city than if you’d have to travel. Getting the necessary funds for the trip and taking time off work is a big endeavor.

It’s not always possible to make arrangements in time. American funerals often take place within three days of death. If you can’t make it back in time, you can express your condolences to the family in another way. Sending flowers or a small gift are common.

You can grieve in your own way. It’s not required to go to the funeral to pay your ultimate respects. If you can’t make it to the service but you’d like to be involved, you can ask to see pictures or a video of the event. You can also ask for the program to be sent to you.

Overall, there are many factors you need to consider when it’s time to choose a Sinking Spring, PA funeral home. If you’re simply attending the funeral rather than hosting it, there are things you must consider as well. At Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., we know the customs that you should be aware of. We’re located at 3825 Penn Ave, Sinking Spring, PA 19608. You can reach our team by calling (610) 376-1129.