Utah Funeral Homes and Their Advice to the Bereaved Before and After the Services
Death is one of those things that can make people feel or act awkwardly but funeral homes in Utah can help you with some do's and don'ts in regards to funeral etiquette. The professional counseling that a funeral director provides can be quite helpful, especially if you personally have not dealt with death before. There are some basic etiquette protocols for every aspect of a funeral from clothing to fielding questions from well-meaning attendees.
Advice from Utah Funeral Homes in Regards to Clothing
Black is often viewed as a prerequisite for funerals. However, you do not necessarily need to wear black but rather a selection of subdued, conservative clothing. Your choice of clothing can set the mood for the entire service. Conservative clothing conveys respect, dignity and decorum in honor of the deceased. You will notice that the directors of funeral homes in Utah dress conservatively in respect of the deceased's family. Wearing bright patterns or loud colors can send the wrong message to other mourners and visitors paying their respects.
Protocol for Acknowledging Visitors during the Public Visitation or Wake
Utah funeral homes will advise you to have a guestbook for visitors that attend the wake. This is a great tool to keep track of who came to offer comfort so you can choose to send a thank-you note at a later time. If a large crowd attends the visitation, take the time to greet as many people personally as possible. While you may not be able to visit each and every one, mingling is important.
Funeral homes in Utah can assist in the decision as to whether or not to have an open or closed casket. In most public wakes, the casket is open to allow visitors to linger briefly with the deceased to say their final goodbyes. It is all right to greet visitors near the casket and perhaps share a memory of the deceased to simply acknowledge them and thank them for attending. Utah funeral homes suggest having a friend of the family help in logging any donations or flower gifts. Sometimes, the funeral staff can keep track of these things as well.
Funeral Homes in Utah Can Aid in Greeting Guests at the Funeral Service
At the funeral service, it is not necessary to personally greet visitors as it is understood that your grief may require that you stay with family members for comfort. Utah funeral homes can assist in the greeting duties or perhaps, a close family friend or two could help, freeing you from this task. If you do not feel up to being comforted by others immediately after the funeral service, you could arrange to be escorted to your vehicle for the procession to the cemetery.
Whether you hold the funeral service in a church or within the funeral home chapel, typically there are several rows reserved for close family members. Funeral homes in Utah can help arrange this set-up in advance. And don't worry about being stoic. It is perfectly acceptable to show your grief and shed a few tears. Everyone will understand that the death of your loved one can be tough.
Utah Funeral Homes Help with the Funeral Procession and Graveside
As the next of kin, if you are riding in a limousine to the gravesite, you do not have to worry about procession etiquette. The limousine is typically the first in line after the hearse carrying your deceased loved one. However, if you are not riding in a limousine of one of the funeral homes in Utah, it is important to understand some basic protocols of the procession. For instance, if you are driving your own vehicle, turn on your headlights and follow the hearse to the gravesite or the car in front of you, keeping a short distance from them. Typically, a funeral procession is legally allowed to run stop signs and red lights when conditions are safe to do so. Utah funeral homes may alert local law enforcement which sometimes offers a personal escort.
Etiquette for the internment requires a show of dignity and respect, whether it is a casket burial or an urn entombment within a columbarium. Funeral homes in Utah arrange to have chairs at the gravesite for immediate family and any people who cannot stand. It is important to note that certain behaviors are not acceptable at the cemetery. These behaviors include having food and drink at graveside and sitting on the grave markers. Utah funeral homes can also arrange to have you leave the graveside after the brief ceremony and before the actual committal of the casket into the ground. Some families cannot bear to see this final act concerning the deceased. The funeral director should be alerted as to which preference you desire.
You may not be the only one that feels awkward in regards to death. Others may not know how to act either. Funeral homes in Utah will tell you that you may field inappropriate questions or comments about the deceased's death. Some people simply do not know what to say and end up saying the wrong thing. If possible, simply thank the guests for coming or have a prepared statement that you can repeat over and over.
Be gracious to everyone that comes to extend their condolences, regardless of their tactlessness. It can be tough but it is better not to say anything at all than say something in anger or pure emotion. Utah funeral homes can guide you in how to handle situations as these so the entire funeral service maintains a sense of decorum.
I found Heritage Cremation when I was calling funeral homes in the area to make cremation arrangements for my brother. The cremation cost was a big concern for me and compared to the other funeral homes I found Heritage Cremations had the best price and the most compassionate staff. I was a bit worried because the cremation services price at Heritage Cremation was so much less than the other cremation services I was quoted, but I have to say the cremation service was beautiful. Visitors actually complimented me on the cremation service, and the kindness of the staff at Heritage Cremation. 
