Funeral homes Niles, IL, are there when you need them. When someone close to you dies, your first instinct is to offer the last tribute and honor to the deceased as well as provide support to the bereaved. Of all of the events that you will attend in life, a funeral is a place where you have to be on the best behavior.

Going to a funeral is always an intimidating experience, no matter if you’re going for the first time or have been there many times before. Many people tend to skip funeral services for the fear of embarrassment as they don’t know what is appropriate and what is not; what to bring and wear to a funeral; what to say and what not to.

Even though funeral traditions and customs vary from family to family, the below funeral etiquette tips are universal to any funeral ceremony and will help you feel more confident and comfortable at a funeral.

1. What to Wear

Your dress must reflect modesty. You are there to share the grief not to seize the limelight. Avoid shiny dresses, t-shirts, shorts, or other casual outfits. Men should go for dark and subdue colors such as black, brown, gray with dress shoes. All black is also a preferable choice for males.

Women should dress in a suit or a dress. If someone wears jewelry, it should be traditional and subtle. Needless to say, you must be simple, neat, clean, and TUCKED IN.

2. What to Say (and not to say)

You have to be extra cautious while offering condolences to the bereaved family as the wrong selection of words, though inadvertently chosen, may upset the family. Begin condolences by sharing a sweet and pleasant memory of the deceased and apprise them of how great and upright the lost loved one was. A pleasant memory of the deceased always comforts the bereaved. For instance, “I feel so sorry and devastated for your irreparable loss; he/she was a delightful and caring person; we all would miss him/her”

You shouldn’t compare the loss with your past experiences or past comments that aggravate the pain of the family, such as,” I know exactly how you feel,” or “he/she is probably in the best place.”

3. Arriving

Arriving late at a funeral reflects that you don’t care for the deceased. Always try to arrive 10-25 minutes before the services begin and don’t make any noise or disturbance while entering the facility.

Also, you shouldn’t sit at the front row unless you’re a close acquaintance of the departed soul. The front few rows are reserved for the immediate family and friends. Sit anywhere in between and stay put once you’re seated to avoid catching undue attention.

4. Mobile Phone Use

Switch off or silence your mobile phone during the service. Using your mobile during a funeral for any reason is considered unethical and disrespectful. If you have to take an emergency call, go outside quietly and pick it.

5. Bring Children

You can bring children of over age five or six if you want to let them offer their final goodbyes to the deceased. Children are less scared or critical of death as we are and can participate in the ceremony in their own unique way such as speaking, singing, or playing instruments if asked. Funeral homes Niles, IL, can be soothing places as well.