Do’s And Don’ts When Attending A Funeral

Funerals are an important ceremony for people who have lost their loved ones. It is like a physical point of departure that allows them to say their final goodbyes. While there are no written rules that dictate how one attending a funeral should behave, there are some basic etiquette rules that everyone should keep in mind. 

Here are the basic do’s and don’ts when attending a funeral. Make sure you follow each and every one of them the next time you go to a memorial service. It shows respect and care for the grieving.

Don’t show up late

Make sure that you are never ever late to a funeral! If possible, it's always the best practice to show up around 10 to 15 minutes early. If there is something that is unavoidable and you are late by any chance, make sure to make a quiet entrance inside the venue. For example, you could enter your seat by taking the side aisle.

Don’t sit anywhere you want 

Usually the first few rows of seats are meant for families, relatives and close friends. So if you do not fall into these categories, make sure that you choose a seat that is somewhere in the middle or back.

Do restrain from being on your phone and social media 

Make sure that your phone is in silent mode, or switched off. It is extremely inappropriate and disrespectful to be on your phone during a funeral whether to reply to a text, or take pictures or videos and upload on social media like Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Do wear modest clothes 

Remember that when you attend a funeral, your purpose is to offer your condolences and pay your respects. For this, you do not have to dress extravagantly. Always wear modest and conservative clothes with minimal accessories. You don’t necessarily have to wear all black, just dark colors unless the deceased has requested something different before passing. 

Thanks for reading,

Karen