A Helpful Guide to Funeral Etiquette
A funeral is a time to offer emotional support to the bereaved and an opportunity for friends and family to pay tribute to their loved one. The following information is merely a guideline for generally accepted behavior.

Visiting the family at the funeral home is the most suitable location since the family is prepared to accept friends and family.

You need not stay long … fifteen minutes or so will give you enough time to express your sympathy.

Expression of sympathy will vary greatly including clasping of hands, embracing or words of comfort such as:

• "I'm so sorry"
• "Mary was a very good friend and I will miss her"
• "My deepest sympathy"
• "It was good knowing Mary"
• "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help"

Understand that there is no substitute for a visit, however, there are many ways to express your sympathy:

• Email
• Food for the Family
• Flowers
• Memorial Gifts
• Mass Cards
• Phone Calls

Your presence at a visitation or funeral demonstrates that although a death has taken place - deep friends still remain.

Your visit is one of the greatest gifts you can hope to give to those in grief.

"Friends can help keep the flow of grief moving"