Death is an inevitable part of life that most people eventually learn to accept or make their peace with in some way. It's not always easy to face the death of others, though, and going to a funeral can seem scary if you have never been to such a service before. Here are three reasons that you shouldn't fear going to a funeral (and one you should).
1. Don't Worry! It's Really a Celebration of Life
Although the idea of gathering near the body of the deceased may seem a bit frightening at first, the true idea of a funeral isn't to talk about death. It's to honor who the deceased person was, allow the outpouring of love to be seen and heard, and help bereft family members say good-bye. Above all, most funerals are truly a celebration of life. It is not a morbid occasion as many fear it may be.
2. Don't Worry! You Don't Have to Bring Flowers or Donations
Many people dread going to a funeral because they have no idea about the customs of a funeral. They feel obligated to buy flowers, yet they may not know what type the person would have liked and fear an arrangement will be too "cheerful" for a service. However, nobody ever expects gifts of any kind at a funeral. Flowers are traditions in some religions, yet not in others. Either way, you won't be expected to bring anything at all, and many people attending funerals just show up to show their support with no extra offerings.
3. Don't Worry! You Won't Have to Speak
Although some funerals open up the podium for people who want to share their memories in front of the crowd, you won't be expected to speak at a funeral unless the family has made prior arrangements for you to give a eulogy. You don't have to dread showing up and needing to improvise a speech. Nobody will put you on the spot at a funeral. People are generally focused on the deceased and helping the immediate family members with little expectations of the other guests.
The One Time That May Cause You Concern
As long as you communicate clearly with the person who is coordinating the funeral, you shouldn't run into any problems. The only time you may need to worry Is if you are attending the funeral of someone you don't know well and haven't spoken to the funeral planner, like Taylor Funeral Home. Try to reach out with any questions before going to the funeral. If in doubt, simply show up wearing modest clothes without any kind of gift. Act respectfully and express your condolences. In such a situation, being respectful and showing concern can help you wing it, so even that situation shouldn't be scary for long.
The term "funeral" shouldn't stir up feelings of dread in you. As you go through life, you may end up needing to attend them sometimes unfortunately, and the sooner you learn to get okay with this tradition, the easier it will be to manage the other emotions that come along with a loss.
Share27 July 2016
Following the death of my grandfather, I found myself in the awkward position of having to write the obituary. I wanted to capture the spirit of him and list everything he was proud of in his life, including his family and work accomplishments. However, at the same time, I knew that I had a limited amount of space to work with. After spending hours researching obituaries, I finally felt confident in my skills and proceeded to write my grandfather's. In my opinion, it was perfect. Writing an obituary while you are grieving your loss is challenging, but I hope that my website helps you write one for your loved one that helps capture who they were as a person.