You likely don’t have to spend a lot of time in funeral homes in Salix, PA and it can be a while between trips for final services. In those between times, you may forget some of the things you should do, say, and wear when you do have to attend final services to honor someone you knew. It never hurts to brush up on the etiquette so you feel comfortable fitting in and so that you are able to remain respectful throughout the service process. Here are a few things to think through.
Think About What To Wear
You will want to consider what you wear so you don’t cause any distractions to the family or others attending the services. Think about what type of service it is and follow suit. If it’s a formal funeral, you want to wear something like what you would wear to church or to a business meeting. Your attire doesn’t have to be black, but a muted color is nice without a bright pattern or color. And you want the outfit to be on the conservative side. For a celebration of life, however, the family might ask that you wear a certain color that their loved one liked, a team shirt they supported, or you can dress according to the activity they have planned. The service style makes a big difference in what you wear.
Don’t Arrive Late
Whether the service is formal or casual, you don’t want to be there late. Try to arrive a few minutes early, even. If you feel like you are too early, just sit in your car for a bit or get gas nearby to kill some time. You just really don’t want to be late if you can help it in any way. It can disrupt others when you arrive late and it feels disrespectful.
Silence That Phone
The last thing you want is to disturb people who are grieving their loved one. Having a phone ring during their final service will definitely do that. Leave your phone in the car, turn it off, or at the very least, put it on silent. But make sure your phone is actually silent and doesn’t buzz loudly enough that it would bother others.
Don’t Skip The Reception, If Invited
If the family invites you to the reception, it’s nice to attend if at all possible. Even if you are only there long enough to offer your condolences and sympathies. They invited you for a reason and they want you there. It’s a nice way to show your support above and beyond attending the services themselves.
When you have to go to funeral homes in Salix, PA, and it’s been a while since you have attended services for someone who passed on, you might want to brush up on your etiquette to make sure you don’t draw attention to yourself when the service is all about the person who passed away. The professionals at Simple Alternatives Funeral Home & Crematory are happy to give you advice.