Can I sit next to my husband at a funeral?

Proper funeral etiquette dictates that the closer you are to the deceased, the closer you will be to the casket. Spouse, parents, and children of the deceased will sit closest to the front. Sometimes close friends and "honorary family members" will sit with the grieving family.

Should I go with my husband to a funeral?

Etiquette experts say your decision to attend should primarily depend on your relationship and level of closeness with the deceased and/or their family members. But the general rule of thumb is if you can make it, you should be there—especially if you have a deep respect for the departed.

Who should sit in the front row at a funeral?

Immediate family members and close friends sit at the front of the venue during the funeral service, with other close family members in the seats or pews behind.

Where should people sit at a funeral?

The front rows are for the immediate family so sit nearer the back if you did not know the person very well. However, if there are few mourners present then sit nearer to the front. It does not matter which side of the 'aisle' you sit.

How should family be seated at a funeral?

Funeral Seating Guidelines

At many funerals, relatives of the deceased sit on the right side. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives.

Funeral Etiquette Guide - How To Behave, Dress Code + DO's

Who is considered immediate family at funeral?

Immediate family, as it applies to leave taken for a funeral leave, includes an employee's spouse, the employee's and spouse's parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, and sons- and daughters-in-law.

Who walks in first at a funeral?

The processional is led by the officiant and is followed by the pallbearers who carry the casket. Next, the family and kin to the deceased walk down the aisle, followed by close friends as they take their seats in the first few rows. A funeral recessional marks the end of the funeral service.

What is the etiquette for funerals?

When attending a service, be on time and enter the house of worship or location where the funeral will be held as quietly as possible. If there are no ushers, remember that the seats closer to the front should be taken by very close friends, with acquaintances seating themselves in the middle or towards the rear.

What is the etiquette for attending funerals?

Unless the family wants the funeral or memorial service to be private, you are welcome to attend. If you are close to the bereaved or the deceased, live close by and have no extenuating circumstances, then, by all means, go to the funeral. In fact, if you don't go, your presence may be missed.

What is funeral visitation etiquette?

Viewing Etiquette

Just remember not to disturb other mourners standing by the casket. Try to wear formal, muted clothing for a viewing and remember to offer condolences to any family members present. You should also feel free to speak quietly with other attendees about your memories of the deceased.

Who walks behind the coffin at a funeral?

Funeral procession order

The officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.

Can immediate family be pallbearers?

Pallbearers are usually close family members and friends. Siblings, adult children, grown grandchildren, nieces and nephews, close friends, and colleagues are all common choices for pallbearers. However, anyone can serve as a pallbearer.

Can I bring my spouse to a funeral?

Anyone may attend public funerals or pre-funeral activities when the public can come to offer support to the family. Unless you are a member of the grieving family, your girlfriend won't know any of the family members, so it is probably not an event she will be comfortable at or need to attend.

Do partners come to funerals?

In a funeral procession, the vehicle directly behind the hearse carries the close family members – partner, children, parents or siblings – and transports them to the venue.

Should I go to both visitation and funeral?

You should attend both the wake and the funeral for family members and very close friends. If you're a member of the immediate family, people will want to express condolences to you. Even if it's difficult, being there is important.

How early should you arrive at a funeral?

A good rule of thumb is to arrive 10-20 minutes early to allow time for guest interactions before the service starts. A funeral is a sensitive setting and arriving late isn't a way to show your respect. If you do arrive late, use a side aisle to find a seat near the back to avoid interrupting the service.

Is it rude not to attend a funeral?

It's considered proper etiquette to pay your respects in another way if you're unable to attend the funeral. While you shouldn't feel guilty if you can't attend, you should take action to honor the deceased and their family.

Is it rude to leave a funeral early?

Whether it be a funeral or a wake, etiquette dictates that this is one occasion where you do NOT want to arrive fashionably late. Your best bet is to arrive early, but by that we mean 15 to 20 minutes early. This allows ample time for parking and going through the receiving line before the actual funeral begins.

Why do they cover the legs in a casket?

Tradition, Region and Culture

Many people choose a casket that covers their loved one's legs simply because that's how it's usually done in their country.

Is it rude to take pictures at a funeral?

Unless you have been specifically asked by the family of the deceased to do so, it is not appropriate to take pictures inside a funeral service or at a grave site. People in attendance at the funeral may be in mourning, or even crying, and taking photos is an invasion of privacy.

Can I smile at a funeral?

It's OK to laugh and smile

In fact, more and more people are accepting funerals as celebrations of life rather than somber affairs. Although there are times to be solemn, “humor is a powerful thing,” Cunningham says.

Is it OK to clap at a funeral?

Funeral etiquette dictates you shouldn't applaud unless prompted to do so by the person holding the service or following the lead of the grieving family.

Who typically speaks at a funeral?

In many communities, the deceased's priest, pastor, rabbi, or minister writes and gives the eulogy at the funeral. If the religious leader knew the deceased personally, he or she would probably add personal stories, especially those that tell the story of the person's faith.

Who pays for dinner after funeral?

Typically, family members of the deceased will sponsor the meal. When financial issues are present, the family may request a donation from the attendees. Agreeing on who pays for the repast meal is essential. The post-funeral luncheon can easily exceed $2,000.

Is wife considered immediate family?

Immediate family is limited to the spouse, parents, stepparents, foster parents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, children, stepchildren, foster children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and first cousins.