How to Pay Your Respects when Someone You Know Dies
Get the important information., Send flowers., Ask someone to join you for support., Arrive on time and dressed appropriately., View the body, if you want.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get the important information.
Find out from family members, close friends, or members of the community when the memorial service will be held.
If the person who died was a pillar in the local community, information about their services may be posted in the local newspaper.
Make sure you know when and where the service will be held.
Review the directions ahead of time to avoid getting lost and arriving late. -
Step 2: Send flowers.
Across many cultures and religions, a common way to pay respects is to send flowers.
Plus, if you are unable to attend the memorial, sending flowers lets the person's loved ones know that they are in your thoughts.Look online or visit your local florist to choose a nice arrangement.
Have them sent to the funeral home so that they are there prior to the memorial.
If you are sending flowers from a long distance, it may be helpful to contact florists in the person's area to have them send over your flowers.
Local and online florists can guide you on choosing and ordering arrangements that are designed specially for memorials. , If you have never attended a funeral, or if you are a bit shaken by the death, it may be a good idea to bring someone with you.
A parent, sibling, or friend can accompany you to the memorial and offer comfort if you need it.
Another good option is to go with someone who has a similar relationship with the deceased as you.
For instance, you might go with another classmate, if a teacher has died.
Or, you might attend a friend’s parent’s funeral with another mutual friend. , Be respectful and proper by arriving to the memorial service on time.
Aim to arrive at least 15-30 minutes before the service begins.
Also, dress appropriately.
It used to be common practice to wear black.
That’s no longer necessary, but you should wear subdued clothing.Go for solid-colored clothing choices in mute shades like navy, burgundy, or grey.
Avoid bright colors and busy prints or patterns.
Also, try to be modest—don’t wear anything too revealing, such as low-cut tops or mini skirts.
If you are attending a wake or viewing, the attire might be more relaxed or casual.
Still, stick to subdued colors.
Also, if you are going to a viewing, you can arrive at any time and approach the casket.
Just make sure you greet the person's loved ones before viewing the body. , It is typical for everyone at the memorial service to pay their respects by viewing the body.
This may take place before, during, or after the service.
If you want to see the deceased one last time, you may go up when directed and view the body.
If you don’t want to take part in this practice, remain seated.In some situations, a viewing, or wake, may be held immediately before the memorial or on a separate day.
Find out the particulars and decide if you want to go to this service and/or the memorial. -
Step 3: Ask someone to join you for support.
-
Step 4: Arrive on time and dressed appropriately.
-
Step 5: View the body
-
Step 6: if you want.
Detailed Guide
Find out from family members, close friends, or members of the community when the memorial service will be held.
If the person who died was a pillar in the local community, information about their services may be posted in the local newspaper.
Make sure you know when and where the service will be held.
Review the directions ahead of time to avoid getting lost and arriving late.
Across many cultures and religions, a common way to pay respects is to send flowers.
Plus, if you are unable to attend the memorial, sending flowers lets the person's loved ones know that they are in your thoughts.Look online or visit your local florist to choose a nice arrangement.
Have them sent to the funeral home so that they are there prior to the memorial.
If you are sending flowers from a long distance, it may be helpful to contact florists in the person's area to have them send over your flowers.
Local and online florists can guide you on choosing and ordering arrangements that are designed specially for memorials. , If you have never attended a funeral, or if you are a bit shaken by the death, it may be a good idea to bring someone with you.
A parent, sibling, or friend can accompany you to the memorial and offer comfort if you need it.
Another good option is to go with someone who has a similar relationship with the deceased as you.
For instance, you might go with another classmate, if a teacher has died.
Or, you might attend a friend’s parent’s funeral with another mutual friend. , Be respectful and proper by arriving to the memorial service on time.
Aim to arrive at least 15-30 minutes before the service begins.
Also, dress appropriately.
It used to be common practice to wear black.
That’s no longer necessary, but you should wear subdued clothing.Go for solid-colored clothing choices in mute shades like navy, burgundy, or grey.
Avoid bright colors and busy prints or patterns.
Also, try to be modest—don’t wear anything too revealing, such as low-cut tops or mini skirts.
If you are attending a wake or viewing, the attire might be more relaxed or casual.
Still, stick to subdued colors.
Also, if you are going to a viewing, you can arrive at any time and approach the casket.
Just make sure you greet the person's loved ones before viewing the body. , It is typical for everyone at the memorial service to pay their respects by viewing the body.
This may take place before, during, or after the service.
If you want to see the deceased one last time, you may go up when directed and view the body.
If you don’t want to take part in this practice, remain seated.In some situations, a viewing, or wake, may be held immediately before the memorial or on a separate day.
Find out the particulars and decide if you want to go to this service and/or the memorial.
About the Author
Larry Wells
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow cooking tutorials.
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