There are plenty of guidelines that tell us what to wear to a funeral, how to send condolences to the family, what we need to know about buying funeral flowers, and how to act once we arrive. After all, we all want to make sure that we do our best to honor the deceased and support the family in their time of grief. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Etiquette’ Category
“After the Funeral” Etiquette
Monday, October 8th, 2018Writing a Sympathy Card for the Loss of a Distant Relative
Tuesday, August 14th, 2018Most of us know what a sensitive subject death is when the deceased was someone close to you. Losing a parent, sibling, spouse, or child is one of the most difficult experiences, and showing your support through sympathy cards, funeral flowers, offers of physical support, and attending the funeral is common. (more…)
International Funeral Etiquette
Wednesday, June 27th, 2018If you travel a lot for work, have family overseas, live as an expat, or are abroad when a death occurs, you might find yourself invited to a funeral in another country (or for someone of a different culture). This can be an intimidating prospect, since different countries have different outlooks on death and dying. Their funerals may be loud and celebratory and open to all. They might be small, private affairs that outsiders are not welcome to attend. Funeral flowers might be expected, or they might be considered an insult. Unless you have a lot of knowledge about a country or culture, you have no way of knowing about their rituals. (more…)
Etiquette for Visiting a Cemetery
Thursday, March 8th, 2018Most people know that when you visit a cemetery for a burial, there are rituals and guidelines for your behavior. However, there are also etiquette rules for when you go to the cemetery later on—either to visit the grave of a loved one or simply to take in the ambiance. (more…)
Funeral Card Etiquette
Monday, January 15th, 2018One of the simplest (and kindest) things you can send after the death of a friend or relative is a condolence card. This low-cost gesture show that you care and also provides the family with a keepsake memory of their loved one. Whether you write a personal message in a blank card or select one with a pre-printed saying, your contribution means a lot during this difficult time. (more…)
What to Do at a Funeral for a Suicide
Monday, September 25th, 2017When a friend or relative takes their own life, it can be difficult to know what to do at the funeral. At most funerals, death is a straightforward loss—the deceased is dearly missed, and grief follows from there. At a funeral for a person who died by suicide, however, there is likely to be an overwhelming array of emotions and conflicting feelings—even shock. Why did the deceased take his or her own life? What could have been done to prevent it from happening? What is there to say to the family if strong religious beliefs play a role? (more…)
How to Decline an Invitation to a Funeral
Wednesday, September 20th, 2017Not all funerals are held at convenient times or convenient locations. Unlike weddings, which can be planned months in advance, funerals crop up unexpectedly regardless of the time, date, weather conditions, or other plans you might already have. (more…)