If you have not attended a funeral and are unsure of the etiquette, you might be a bit nervous. In addition, it is important to note that there are many funeral or memorial customs specific to geographic areas, cultures or religions. Rather than try to figure out exactly what to do, consider simply following these universal tips.
On rare occasions, the family will ask that people dress a particular way at a funeral or memorial service, but typically this is a time for solemn dress. Stick with black or darker colors, such as gray or dark blue. Some cultures do favor red or white for funeral clothes, but typically you won't be out of place wearing subdued hues. Women and girls should wear long skirts or long dresses and men should stick with dress slacks, a plain dark dress shirt and perhaps a tie and jacket.
Flowers are often a big part of the funeral service, especially in a Christian service. You can decide whether or not to send flowers directly to the family or to the service itself, and this is primarily up to you. For both Mormon and Jehovah's Witness ceremonies, flowers are welcome, but opt away from any arrangement that displays a cross. In addition, it is not customary to send flowers to most Jewish funerals. Instead, bringing gifts of food to the family is considered appropriate. In the Muslim religion, people sometimes give flowers and sometimes they do not.
If the service is of a denomination, religion or culture you are unfamiliar with, feel free to contact the house of worship or funeral home directly. They will often have the answers you need. Another common issue is when families ask for people to bypass giving flowers and instead make a donation to an organization favored by the family or the deceased. In these cases, it is best to follow the family's wishes. However, you can always do both or wait a few weeks and send flowers to show that you are still thinking about the family. Using an online floral service to send your funeral flowers is a simple way to accomplish this task. You can select from a variety of styles and prices, so you can easily stay within a budget.
Funerals and death, because they are somber and emotional times, are often just a bit frightening, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to express your sympathy to the family. If you are a close friend, offering a hug can be a warm gesture. You can simply say you are sorry for their loss and express your love for the family. Just saying that you are keeping the family in your thoughts is another statement. If you are a co-worker that the family has never met, simply state your relationship and express your sympathy, saying something nice about the deceased.
Truly, while you might be inclined to want to avoid attending the funeral, it is wise to reconsider. Attendance is a huge comfort to the family left behind, and they will greatly appreciate your presence. There also may be reception of some kind at the family's home or perhaps at the house of worship. Be sure to go, even if just for a short while. If you are close with the family, you can even offer to bring food or help with cleaning up. In the weeks following the funeral, it is always nice to contact the family and ask if you can help them in anyway. You can offer to run an errand, bring over a meal, do yard work or even just come over and spend a few quiet hours with them. If you don't know the family well, contact someone who does know them and ask if you can help in any way.
On rare occasions, the family will ask that people dress a particular way at a funeral or memorial service, but typically this is a time for solemn dress. Stick with black or darker colors, such as gray or dark blue. Some cultures do favor red or white for funeral clothes, but typically you won't be out of place wearing subdued hues. Women and girls should wear long skirts or long dresses and men should stick with dress slacks, a plain dark dress shirt and perhaps a tie and jacket.
Flowers are often a big part of the funeral service, especially in a Christian service. You can decide whether or not to send flowers directly to the family or to the service itself, and this is primarily up to you. For both Mormon and Jehovah's Witness ceremonies, flowers are welcome, but opt away from any arrangement that displays a cross. In addition, it is not customary to send flowers to most Jewish funerals. Instead, bringing gifts of food to the family is considered appropriate. In the Muslim religion, people sometimes give flowers and sometimes they do not.
If the service is of a denomination, religion or culture you are unfamiliar with, feel free to contact the house of worship or funeral home directly. They will often have the answers you need. Another common issue is when families ask for people to bypass giving flowers and instead make a donation to an organization favored by the family or the deceased. In these cases, it is best to follow the family's wishes. However, you can always do both or wait a few weeks and send flowers to show that you are still thinking about the family. Using an online floral service to send your funeral flowers is a simple way to accomplish this task. You can select from a variety of styles and prices, so you can easily stay within a budget.
Funerals and death, because they are somber and emotional times, are often just a bit frightening, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to express your sympathy to the family. If you are a close friend, offering a hug can be a warm gesture. You can simply say you are sorry for their loss and express your love for the family. Just saying that you are keeping the family in your thoughts is another statement. If you are a co-worker that the family has never met, simply state your relationship and express your sympathy, saying something nice about the deceased.
Truly, while you might be inclined to want to avoid attending the funeral, it is wise to reconsider. Attendance is a huge comfort to the family left behind, and they will greatly appreciate your presence. There also may be reception of some kind at the family's home or perhaps at the house of worship. Be sure to go, even if just for a short while. If you are close with the family, you can even offer to bring food or help with cleaning up. In the weeks following the funeral, it is always nice to contact the family and ask if you can help them in anyway. You can offer to run an errand, bring over a meal, do yard work or even just come over and spend a few quiet hours with them. If you don't know the family well, contact someone who does know them and ask if you can help in any way.
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