When my grandmother passed away, I was astonished to learn that I had been named the executor of her estate. After splitting up her belongings amongst my aunts and uncles, I turned my attention to planning her funeral. I didn't know where to start. Fortunately, I was able to find an excellent funeral home that understood how to help people plan beautiful memorial services. It was amazing to go through the process of planning the music, the speakers, and even the set-up of the room. This blog is all about planning gorgeous memorial services for the people that you love so that you aren't left grappling with difficult decisions.
When it comes to attending a funeral and speaking to mourning family members, many people get overwhelmed about finding the right thing to say. The simple truth is that your conversation with the family doesn't have to be pre-scriped; instead, it's just better to speak from the heart. Speaking from the heart means that you should focus on offering your sympathy in an honest way and also share something about the person who has passed away. Here's how to proceed with your conversation.
What You Should Say
When you first approach the family members, it's important to express your sympathy right away. A simple statement such as, "I'm very sorry for your loss" is a suitable way to get your message across. Using a simple phrase such as this one can also be effective if you're full of grief and struggling with the right words to say. It's conventional to briefly talk about the deceased person's life -- perhaps sharing a poignant memory of an interaction you had with the person -- and then wrap up the conversation by telling the family members that you're thinking of them. Something as simple as "Please know that you'll be in my thoughts during the days and weeks ahead" can be effective.
Keep The Conversation Brief
Although there's no set amount of time that your conversation should last, it's important to be respectful of the grieving family and your fellow funeral attendees by keeping your remarks succinct. Remember, there could be dozens of other individuals and families waiting behind you to offer their sympathy, and this day is already very taxing to the surviving family members. It's proper etiquette to keep your exchange brief; if you have a particularly important memory or anecdote that you wish to share, you can do so by writing it in a sympathy card or keeping it in mind for the next time you meet the family.
Some Sentiments To Avoid
Making verbal miscues often seems easier when you're feeling stressed, and a funeral can certainly bring out this emotion. There are a number of sentiments that you should avoid, such as going over the details about the person's death or asking questions about it. Your role during the conversation is to convey your sympathy and support; avoid saying things like the deceased person is in a better place or that you know exactly how the family feels. You might have the best of intentions saying such statements, but they do little to help the family's grief.
For a funeral home near you, consider contacting a facility such as Rose's Funeral Home Inc.
Share16 November 2015
