What is proper etiquette for a funeral?

What is protocol for a funeral?

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 order of family at a funeral?

Typically the officiant (a minister or the funeral director) will walk in first, followed by the pallbearers carrying the casket. After the casket the family will come, closest family members first. The order can vary a bit depending on the person's age and family structure at the time of death.

Who sits in the front row at a funeral?

Funeral Seating Guidelines

Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives. If you are a member of the immediate family and there are step-parents or step-siblings, you must take into account where everyone will sit.

How much do you tip a minister for a funeral?

Same as funeral director. Minister or officiant: No tip if charged a fee; if no fee, $100-300 is an appropriate honorarium. Musicians: 15-20% gratuity if hired; if volunteers, a tip of $50-100 each is appropriate.

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

How much do you pay a singer at a funeral?

Costs and Fees for Funeral Singers

Costs for funeral singers vary widely but you can expect to pay between $100 and $200, depending on how many songs you select. You may also pay a fee for an accompanist, sound equipment, and other items that may be needed.

Do you tip a funeral home?

Similar to the funeral director, there's no reason to tip or pay the funeral home staff any extra. These individuals are also paid from the bill you pay to the funeral home. If someone is exceptional with their service, it's still very kind to say “thank you” in-person or with a note.

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.

Who stands in receiving line at funeral?

Typically, members of the immediate family stand in the receiving line at a funeral. The immediate family typically includes the spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, grandparents, and in-laws of the deceased.

Where do immediate family sit 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.

Who sits with family at funeral?

At the funeral, the front rows of seating are reserved for family and pallbearers. The closest family should sit in the front, with additional close family members behind them, such as cousins or grandchildren.

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.

Who should sit where at a funeral?

7: Where to sit

At a funeral, the first few rows are usually allocated to the immediate family (chief mourners). The remaining seats are free for everyone else, and you don't need to pick a specific side.

Do I bring anything to a funeral?

If you're asking whether you should bring a gift to a funeral service, the answer is generally yes. While a gift is not usually required to attend the service, it's considered polite not to arrive empty-handed. This is especially true if you're close to the family.

Do you give money at a funeral?

Money is not an appropriate gift, although exceptions may be made when the family is left in extreme financial difficulty. In that case, friends may wish to pool contributions to make a gift of assistance. The Funeral Service.

Do you send flowers if you attending funeral?

You can send funeral flowers whether you're planning to attend the funeral service or not. If you're unable to attend the funeral, sending flowers to the service can show the family you're thinking about them. And if you're attending the funeral, sending flowers is just an added show of support.

Should you bring a card to a funeral?

Many people still send sympathy cards even if they attend the funeral. It's best to send a card within two weeks of a loss. While two weeks is ideal, it's never too late to send someone a sympathy card or note to express your feelings for their loss.

Is it appropriate for an ex to attend a funeral?

In general, if you're on good terms with your ex-spouse and ex-family, you should attend the funeral. You were a big part of your spouse's life at one time. Even if you've gone separate ways, those memories and feelings are still very real. If you were on good terms, you'll likely be welcome to any funeral events.

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 should carry the urn at a funeral?

The first two pallbearers for the cremation funeral should typically carry the cremation urn. They don't need to attempt to carry it awkwardly between them. Instead, you can buy a small platform that has handles.

What do you say before a funeral?

Do you pay the preacher for a funeral?

When a family asks one of our funeral directors or staff members to help them find a pastor we typically recommend that they budget $150 to give to that individual. Sometimes however, the family prefers to take care of the honorarium themselves so we would not include that in our contract.

How do you thank a pastor for a funeral?

Thank you so much for leading the service with such grace and kindness. Your assistance in preparing the eulogy meant the world to my family and me. You took the time to create a memorial that truly honored the man my father was, and I now understand that I carry his memories with me always.

Do you pay the honor guard at a funeral?

The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran, free of charge, is mandated by law. An honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran consists of not less than two members of the Armed Forces.

What songs should not be played at a funeral?