If you’re considering going to a funeral, you should understand that your presence is important. A death is just as life-changing as welcoming a new child into the world can be. Funerals acknowledge loss and your presence communicates to the grieving person that they are still loved by you.
You should honor an invitation to attend a funeral, share in their loss, hold their hand and give them a hug. At the end of the day, funerals are for the living; for the loved ones who have lost that person forever. In this guide we provide reasons under which it is convenient to go or not to go.
A Loved One
There is hardly any justification you can provide for missing the funeral of a loved one, especially if you were really close. In fact, you should be majorly involved in the planning process.
Friends with the Bereaved
Personal closeness with the deceased is irrelevant if it would be important to support the bereaved in their time of grief. If you are close to the bereaved and leave close by as well, do ensure you attend the funeral.
A Total Stranger
You may attend the funeral of a public figure you greatly admire, that is, if the funeral service is public. This may also apply to victims of catastrophic events of national importance.
Private Service
Oftentimes, funeral services are open to the general public. However, where this is not the case you can express your condolences through other ways, including a telephone call, a sympathy card or flowers.
An Adversary
If your attendance would be disruptive, upsetting or distracting due to a complicated family situation, you probably stay at home.
This guide also applies to wakes and visitations.
If you cannot attend due to a physical condition or disease which does not permit you to travel or due to financial constraints; have no fear, a call or written note will serve.