V Scroll down to view our collection of articles that will teach you everything you need to know about funeral etiquette. Before attending a funeral it is important to know more about funeral customs and proper behavior. Learn more about the following funeral etiquette topics and much more:

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A Guide To Funeral Etiquette

A funeral is a ceremony that serves to help family and friends of someone to get through the grieving process and pay their last respects when someone passes away. It is a very serious affair and, as such, requires those in attendance to observe certain rules of funeral etiquette. Most of these rules are just good common sense, but some do require a bit of thought.

During a funeral service, one should turn his/her cell phone off or put it on vibrate only. If he/she receives a call and chooses to answer it, he/she should quietly excuse himself/herself from the gathering and step outside. Under no circumstances is it acceptable behavior to be updating one’s Facebook status, Tweeting, playing games, or texting during the service.

While children learn to recognize and deal with death at an early age, there are limits on how young they should be when attending a funeral. It is inappropriate to subject a toddler, who likely has no concept of death, to the constraints of this event. Even more importantly, it is inappropriate to subject the bereaved to the crying of small children during the service. Children should be old enough to understand what is occurring and to behave appropriately or left at home or with a sitter.

Loud, boisterous speech is not appropriate. This is a solemn occasion and one should speak in a quiet voice when speaking with the family or friends. During the service, it is inappropriate for anyone to speak at all other than the person giving the eulogy or the clergyman officiating. After the service will be time to speak with friends and catch up with those not seen in quite some time.

Also, remember that you are there to pay your respects. Any personal issues you may have had with the deceased or the family should not be mentioned. Any issues or concerns, whether they are negative or not, should be left for a more appropriate occasion. This is an important day that friends and family of the deceased will remember for a long time and it is important that everyone attending is polite and respectful.

Dress codes are much different today than in the past. It was once expected that men wear a suit and tie and women wear dresses. Everyone was expected to wear black as a sign of mourning. Today, nobody has to wear black, including the widow/widower. Men may wear a nice shirt and pants with a jacket and tie being optional. Women may wear slacks if their religion allows this. While black is not required, it is a matter of good taste to wear dark, subdued colors rather than bright, cheerful ones. Also, casual clothes like shorts and sleeveless t-shirts are inappropriate attire.

During the procession from the funeral home/chapel to the grave site, the proper order is the hearse carrying the deceased, the immediate family, extended family, and friends. It is quite rude to cut in front of the family when queuing up for the procession.

Funeral etiquette is not as strict as it once was. However, it is important to remember that this is a somber occasion and your are attending to pay your respects to the family. Certain behavior is expected of all in attendance and other behavior is completely inappropriate. The purpose of the ceremony is to help those closest to the deceased to get through the grieving process and say good-bye to their loved one. Inappropriate behavior can only serve to upset them more than they already are.

Below are helpful articles on funeral etiquette that will teach you everything you need to know about attending a funeral.