Page 19 - Shaughnessey Banks

issue 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 - dressing up in in all black for a a a a a a a a a funeral is not absolutely required but attire should should be be better than jeans and and a a a a a a a a a t-shirt You should should still dress to impress and and avoid any bright or or flashy colors in in in most circumstances Wearing what you would wear for for a a a a a a a a wedding or or or or a a a a a a a a job interview is a a a a a a a a good barometer for for what you should wear 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 include your full name and write legibly 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 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 the most support Don’t:
Bring your your cell phone phone - your your phone phone ringing will will be highly inappropriate and will will cause a a a a a a a a a disturbance so turn any ringers and notifications off Even better leave your your phone at at home or or in in in your your car a a a a a a funeral is not the time to be texting or or checking your messages Allow your children children to be a a a a a a a distraction - from a a a a a a a a a a very young age children children are are aware of death and and if the the funeral is for someone that was close them (grandparent aunt uncle) they should be given the the the option to attend However if if it is not appropriate for your child to be there and if if you you feel they will cause a a a a a a commotion leave them with a a a a babysitter Be afraid to remember the good times - funerals are obviously a a a a a a time time of grieving and mourning but remembering the the good times helps with the the healing process Sharing a a a a a a a a a a funny and and appropriate story is acceptable and and in in most cases exactly what the deceased would have wanted Overindulge - if food or drink is served do do not over do do it it Have a a a a bite to to eat before you you go to to to the service and if alcohol is is served limit yourself to to one or or two do do not become inebriated and risk doing something inappropriate Page - SHAUGHNESSEY BANKS FUNERAL HOME SHAUGHNESSEY BANKS FUNERAL HOME - Page 19