About Funerals

The Funeral Service

Whether the service is held at the funeral home or at church, enter quietly and be seated.  The first few rows are usually reserved for family members, however, people should sit close behind them to give comfort and support.  A member of the clergy usually conducts the ceremony, but others may offer thoughts, anecdotes, or eulogies.  At the conclusion of the service, if you plan to follow the procession to the cemetery you should go and wait in your car.  Remember to turn your high beams on so you can be identified as being a part of the procession.  Also remember to turn your headlights off once you arrive at the cemetery.
 

Immediately After the Funeral

Often, family and friends are invited to share in a time of fellowship at the home or a hall.  This gives everyone a chance to talk and provides some time to relax and refresh.  Often, friends or members of the church will take it upon themselves to prepare food ahead of time for this gathering, and relieve the family of this task.
 

Days and Weeks Following the Funeral

What do I Say When I See the Family in Public?

What you say depends on if you’ve already had contact with them.  If you attended the visitation or funeral, merely greet them warmly as you would have prior to the death.   If this is your first meeting with them since the death, offer your condolences but don’t dwell on the topic.

A good rule of thumb is to let them control the conversation; they will bring up the recent death if they want to talk about it.  Perhaps, just offering a word of encouragement and say you’ve been thinking about them is enough. Extending an invitation to get together, either at home or out for lunch or dinner is always a nice gesture.

What Can I do to Help Later?

In the days and months to come, the family will continue to need your support. Make an effort to stay in touch.  Continue to include them in social events; they will let you know when they are ready to participate.  It is also nice to remember the family on special occasions during the first year following the death.  Don’t worry about bringing up the pain and emotion of the loss; they are well aware of that.  By remembering such occasions as wedding anniversaries and birthdays, you are not remembering the death, but reaffirming that a life was lived.

It is our sincere hope that this information will help guide you on how your can be of comfort to someone who is grieving the lost of their loved one.  If you require further information or have any questions please feel free to contact us any time or stop by at your convenience.