Tips to Help You Feel Comfortable Attending Your First Funeral

If you have to attend services at a funeral home in Barrington, IL., you may be a little nervous about what to expect, or the rules and etiquette of how you should act. This is completely normal as most people have not attended many funerals and this new situation can bring on feelings of anxiety. Today we are going to talk about some of the most important aspects of a funeral so that you can feel more comfortable when you attend.

What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Wear

Most people think you have to wear black to a funeral, and while that is the most common color, it is not always the case. Don’t worry if you do not have an all-black outfit as other colors are also appropriate. These other colors include greys, olive greens, deep purples, natural tones and other darker colors and hues. Just make sure you are not wearing anything with a bright, loud color and you will be fine.

As far as what type of clothes, you should go for a business look. Imagine you are going in for a job interview or to attend a church service on a Sunday morning. You want to look nice, conservative, and respectful.

Things that should never be worn to a funeral include things such as frayed or cut jeans, shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, baseball caps, or old tennis shoes.

Give Yourself Time and Don’t be Late

You never want to arrive to an event late, but especially not a funeral service. Being late can make you appear disrespectful, and that’s the last thing you want to portray here. Give yourself plenty of time so that you have ample opportunity to arrive, find a parking space, and make your way inside with still time to spare. A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 15 minutes early.

Figuring Out Where to Sit

Not knowing where to sit always causes people the most anxiety. Relax. When you enter the room, if you see friends or family that invite you to sit with them, feel free to do so. If you do not see anyone and are wondering where to sit, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, understand that you should never sit in the first few rows near the front of the room as these rows are reserved for the family. You can find a place in any of these rows that follow after. Also, typically the left side of the room is for family and the right side is for friends. However, know that if you happen to sit on the wrong side, nobody will judge you or even notice.

Put Your Cell Phone Away

We all have a cell phone and many of us cannot seem to put it down. However difficult, when you are attending a funeral, keep your cell phone put away. Even better if you can leave it at home or in the car, but if you must have it with you be sure it is on silent or off completely.

This is not just during the service, this goes before and after the service as well. You are there to honor the deceased and pay respects to the family. Scrolling Instagram on your phone does neither.

If you would like more information about services from funeral homes in Barrington, IL. give us a call or come by anytime. We are happy to answer any questions you may have so that you can feel confident and comfortable attending a service.