Funeral Etiquette

If you have not attended many funerals, you may be unsure about different aspects of the service. It is not uncommon to be unsure about what you should wear, how to express your condolences, or how you are suppose to participate in the service. 

To ease this stress and best prepare you for attending a funeral service, we have provided you with 5 funeral etiquette tips below. If you have any other questions or would like to learn more about funeral etiquette, please feel free to contact us.

 

The traditional choice of dress for a funeral is conservative and dark clothes. Jeans should never be considered an option. Typically, men will wear a dark suit and dark dress shoes. Women usually wear a dark suit, pant suit, or dress. Try to avoid wearing clothing with bright colors or flowery or aggressive patterns.

 

If the service is set to begin a specific time, you want to make sure you’re there ahead of time. Arriving late to a funeral is not only rude but also shows a lack of respect for the deceased and their family. Try to plan ahead and leave time for traffic and other unforeseen circumstances. You do not need to be there hours before the service, 15 minutes prior to the start of the service is plenty of time.

 

Make sure that your cell phone is turned off, set to silent or vibrate at the very minimum. Everyone has been in a situation where a cell phone started ringing when it was less than ideal. The great thing about cell phones is they have answering machines. You can turn off your phone for 45 minutes for the service. If someone has an important message and needs to get a hold of you, they’ll leave a message.

 

Usually the first two rows are reserved for immediate family members. Do not sit in these seats unless you are invited up by an immediate family member. Seats from the middle section backwards are available for everyone else. If you arrive late, make sure to enter quietly to seats in the back when there is a break; You shouldn’t be walking in while someone is speaking.

 

Make an effort to speak to the family before or after the service. There may be a large crowd of people there and you don’t need to have a 10-minute conversation. At least make an effort to say hello and express your sympathy. You don’t need to say much, something as simple as a hug and saying you're sorry for the loss is enough.