The Forgotten History of Public Parks

Funeral planning is included in Dayton, OH funeral services, and there are traditional rituals that need to be, in general, followed by people who are attending the visitation and the funeral service.

When people find out about the death of someone they know or they know someone related to them, the first question that needs to be answered is whether there will be a visitation and/or funeral service. If the obituary doesn’t say that the services are private, then the public is invited to attend and they should plan to go.

When people attend funeral services, they should always plan to arrive early. It’s a sign of disrespect to show up late to a service that is intended to honor the memory of a family’s loved one and it disrupts the flow of the service.

There is always a guestbook or registry for mourners to sign. It is given to the family after the funeral and they get an opportunity to see everyone who attended (because they’re busy and grieving and they may not get a chance to speak to each person individually, even in the receiving line of the visitation). This book is usually at the entrance of the church or funeral chapel where the service is being held. There often will be someone from the funeral home or from the family’s friends that will direct you to sign the book. Be sure to write legibly and put down your first and last name.

If there is a visitation before the service, you can go through the line to offer brief condolences to the family. There are a lot of people, usually, so keep your interaction with family members (even if you know one or all of them well) brief and keep the line moving at a regular pace.

Next, you’ll need to find a seat in the church or funeral chapel. The front two or three, depending on the size of the family, rows on the left of the room are reserved for family. Pallbearers sit on the front row on the right side of the room. Good etiquette is to go as far back as you can in the room and take the next empty seat that’s available. Do not sit on the end seat of a row that still has available interior seating because people will have to maneuvered around you to try to get to an empty seat.

Respect is a paramount part of good funeral etiquette. You may acknowledge the people sitting around you, but chatting, laughing, and joking should not be done. Do not eat or drink anything while you are there. Turn off your cellphone for the duration of the service.

It’s generally not a good idea to take children who are too young to understand what’s going on to a funeral service. If you have no choice, take them out immediately if they are disruptive or crying.

Showing respect and honor for the deceased and the bereaved family, as well as offering comfort, support, and encouragement is at the heart of funeral etiquette. None of this is complicated to do, but it requires being mindful and thoughtful of the needs and feelings of others at a time when they are very vulnerable.

For additional information about attending funerals at Dayton, OH funeral services, our caring and knowledgeable staff at Glickler Funeral Home & Cremation Service is here to assist you. You can visit our funeral home at 1849 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH 45406, or you can call us today at (937) 278-4287.