When a celebrity or local figure dies, it’s common for those who didn’t know the deceased to share in the mourning process. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up reading the celebrity’s books or if a local firefighter died while battling a huge forest fire – connections with those who have gone before us, whether shared or not, can have a big impact in your life.
However, before you put on your funeral attire and show up at the burial arrangements made in honor of the deceased, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: (more…)
For many individuals, funeral planning is about more than preparing the body for burial – it’s about preparing the entire family for the commemoration of a loved one’s life. With this in mind, it’s important to realize that funeral attire plays a big role in the days preceding the funeral as well as at the actual services. Now is not the time to pull out a flashy new wardrobe or show off a recently slimmed down figure; whenever you attend a function related to the funeral (even if it is just a casual meal for making final arrangements), you should always keep respect and tradition in mind.
While much of funeral planning is left to the close family and loved ones of the deceased, some signs of respect can be made by other people who wish to offer their condolences and remembrances. Having flowers sent to the funeral is a beautiful way to express how much you care. Knowing when to send the flowers and what exactly to send, however, requires some knowledge of funeral flower etiquette.
Flowers and floral arrangements are a common tradition respecting the deceased in many different cultures. Offered as bouquets, wreaths, or as part of larger displays, flowers add a touch of beauty and elegance to the setting, and also convey respect for the deceased.
When funeral planning or preparing a gravesite for burial, flowers are likely to play an integral role in the proceedings, and they. However, funeral etiquette dictates that there is more to the process than simply placing a flower or bunch of flowers on a grave and leaving them there. In order to respect the deceased as well other families going through the grieving process, there are a few floral guidelines to consider.
Funerals, even under the best of circumstances, are a frightening experience. When you add in the formal and often austere backdrop of a funeral home and cemetery, the result can be one that is not welcoming to kids.
However, just like adults, children must go through their own process of grief and understanding when it comes to death. And for many children, this means being able to say goodbye and share in the experience of a group of friends and family coming together to celebrate life and honor death. Whether the funeral is in the planning stages or if you’re trying to decide what is appropriate for your family, the following checklist should help you determine if bringing your kids to a funeral is the right choice.
Planning a funeral can be such a grueling and stressful task, especially during such a sad and trying time. Between arranging which funeral home the service should take place at, ordering flowers for the service and coordinating the arrival of friends and family members, you may dread the additional stress that the day of the funeral may bring. However, if you’re planning a funeral for a dearly departed loved one, there are tips and techniques that you can use to make the day run more smoothly – so you can spend more time with friends and loved ones who are there to support you.
Take Care Of Little Details. This is where a funeral home can come in handy, since you’ll need assistance in making sure that all little details are seen to with exacting care and attention. For example, will you use family members as pallbearers, or will the home provide their own? Have you already chosen music to perform at the service? What about any eulogies that may be read during the service? Go over the details one last time with the funeral director to make sure that nothing is skipped over. Staff members at the funeral home will usually take you aside before the beginning of the service to make sure that everything will go according to plan, so wait for them to take the initiative.
No matter what creed or culture you follow, a funeral is a somber affair that requires a certain level of conservative dress. Even the color of clothing that you don for a wake or funeral service can have a significant meaning, especially in Eastern and some Western religions. Appropriate attire is vital at any funeral of wake, so if you’re not sure of exactly how to dress for a service, then here are a few helpful pointers based on some of the more popular religions and cultures:
Christian Funerals. While it was once required to wear all black for a Christian funeral or wake, now other somber colors have become accepted as part of funeral attire. However, out of respect for the mourners, clothing must still be conservative, with women wearing dresses that hit below the knee or slacks, and men wear more formal attire like a suit with a tie. If you’re still unsure of what to wear to a funeral, simply ask what the family of the deceased will be wearing for the funeral, or follow the attire that’s dictated by the creed of the family. It’s best to err on the side of safety rather than make a fashion statement at the funeral, so don’t pick bright colors, cocktail dresses or any other “fashionable” clothing items.
When a celebrity or local figure dies, it’s common for those who didn’t know the deceased to share in the mourning process. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up reading the celebrity’s books or if a local firefighter died while battling a huge forest fire – connections with those who have gone before us, whether shared or not, can have a big impact in your life.
