When someone in the family dies, we need to honour their life and memory with a memorial service. We have to prepare a service that will give the people who love them a last glimpse before becoming only a memory. However, if you're inexperienced in handling funeral preparations, you will undoubtedly encounter a few pitfalls, which will stress you out. We know that it's difficult since you're a rolling mass of emotions hiding behind a strong façade.
This is why you need to work with funeral directors in Leeds to give justice to the memorial service and the other funeral arrangements. They’ll help you out in taking care of everything you need to ensure that you would get to host a memorable celebration of the departed’s life. They’ll even appraise you about the etiquette that you and your family should observe during the event. If that’s not a personalised service, we don’t know what is.
In this article, let’s explore a few etiquettes that you need to remember when attending a funeral service.
Ask about the attire
If we go by tradition, white and black should dominate people’s attire attending a funeral service. However, if it is a celebration of life, you might want to wear bright colours. If you want to prevent any mishaps, you can ask the family about the attire, or if you can mention it in reminders, it would be a great thing, too.
Remember to dress for the weather, too. Don't wear jeans or other casual attire if you can avoid it, especially if you're a close family member.
Consider attending if you’re a close family member or friend
Usually, a funeral service is open to anyone, so you should pay respects if you’re a family friend or a close pal of the deceased. However, if the family wishes it to be a private affair, you should also honour their wishes. If the funeral details have been shared publicly, you should be guided accordingly.
Say the right things
It may be uncomfortable to say anything at a funeral, but say the right thing if you must say something. Express your condolences to the family and be sympathetic in tone. Say kind words about the deceased and highlight a memory you would like to share with everybody. Celebrate the good things about the person and help the people remember them fondly.
Don’t forget to sit behind the immediate family
As customary, the immediate family members should occupy the first few pews when the service happens. It would be alright to sit a few benches behind them, but make sure that if the place isn’t packed, not to sit at the back. Don’t alienate the family during this time of loss.
Send flowers or a charitable donation
If you can send flowers as a sign of condolences, do so, but make sure that they arrive at the funeral home in time. If the family requests charitable donations instead of flowers, be prepared to shell out a small amount to support their wishes.
Final words
You have to pay respect to a dearly departed person. You shouldn't be conversational about it and learn to respect the family's wishes. We have to behave as the situation suggests.
