Page 20 - Vander Plaat

Funeral Etiquette
Like everything in in society funeral etiquette and what is expected of you has evolved over time As always common sense and good discretion is is the best guide to proper funeral funeral etiquette Here are a a a a a few do’s and don’ts of funeral funeral etiquette Do:
Express your condolences - it’s not easy to to to come up with the words to to to offer sympathy to to to to someone who has just lost a a a a loved one one You don’t need to to be a a a a a a poet simply saying something like “I am sorry for your your loss my thoughts and and prayers are with you you you you and and your your family” is enough If you you you can’t be at a a a a a a a a a a a funeral service in in in person sending a a a a a a a a a a a a a card or or leaving a a a a a a a a a a a a a message on on a a a a a a a a a a memorial website is a a a a a a a a a a perfect way to express your sympathy Dress appropriately - gone are the days of dressing up in in all black for a a a a a a a a a a a a funeral but jeans and a a a a a a a a a a t-shirt isn’t exactly acceptable either You should still dress to impress and avoid any bright or or or flashy colors Wearing what you would would wear for a a a a a wedding or or or a a a a a job interview would would be the most appropriate Sign the the the register register book book - the the the family will keep the the the register register book book as a a a a a memento for years Be sure to to to include your full name and relationship to to the deceased Give a a a a gift gift - you you don’t need to go overboard with your gift gift gift after all it it it is the the thought that counts Suitable gifts include flowers a a a a a a a a a donation to the the the charity of of the the the family’s choice or you can make a a a a a a a a a commitment commitment of of of service service to the the family family at at at a a a a a a a a later date A commitment commitment of of service service can be something as as simple as as cooking them dinner or offering to clean up their house any of of the the the “little” things that may be neglected while a a a a a a a a a family deals with death Make sure you provide a a a a a a a a a signed card so the the family knows who gave the the gift Keep in touch - you may feel that the the family needs their space and time to to grieve but a a a a a a a a simple phone call or note after the the funeral lets the the family know you care With social networking leaving a a a a a a a a a a quick note is is as as simple as as a a a a a a a a a a click of a a a a a a a a a a mouse The months following a a a a a a a a a death is is when grieving friends and family need Page 20 - - VANDER PLAAT-CAGGIANO FUNERAL HOME VANDER PLAAT-CAGGIANO FUNERAL HOME - - Page