Etiquette During Loss

Proper Funeral Etiquette

By Bill Abernathy

A funeral is a somber and difficult time for everyone, especially the loved ones of the deceased. It can be difficult to find the right words and act appropriately in such a serious setting, and this can be even more challenging if you have not attended many funerals. Knowing some guidelines before the funeral or memorial service will help you act and speak appropriately during a time of great sadness for the family and friends of the deceased.

You may have seen a funeral scene in a movie where everyone in attendance is wearing black clothes. While this is traditionally the case, you do not have to wear black. However, dark tones are appropriate and conservative dress should always be worn out of respect to the family. Do not wear clothes that call attention to you, like a bright colored shirt, jeans or other casual attire. Dark, muted colors are an appropriate and respectful choice.

Often times, sending flowers to the family of the deceased is appropriate. You can send flowers directly to the funeral home or to the home of the family. Before you do this, however, make sure you read the obituary and funeral announcement. It is not uncommon for families to ask for specific memorial gifts in lieu of flowers. Sometimes, the family asks that you make a donation or send a gift to a particular charity in lieu of flowers. If this is the case, make sure you tell the organization or charity is aware that the gift you are giving is in the name of the deceased person. The organization will let the family know of the donation they received in the name of their loved one. If you are unsure of the family’s wishes, contact the funeral director to find out where to send the gifts, donations or flowers.

Many families choose to have visitation hours (otherwise known as a Wake). This allows family and friends a final time to say goodbye to their loved one. Usually, visitation is held a day or two before the funeral burial service, or right before the burial service. If you attend a visitation at the funeral home, make sure you sign the guestbook and express sympathy for the family’s loss. A simple hug or handshake with the family, along with an expression of sympathy, is appropriate when communicating with the family – especially if you are not in a close personal relationship with them. Making small talk with other attendees is also appropriate, as long as the conversation is kept quiet out of respect for the family.

In Honor of Memorial Day 2009, A Funeral Flag, A flag prepared for presentation to the next of kin … Lion of Fallujah is laid to rest (Photo credit: Beverly & Pack)

The funeral service may be of a certain religious faith. If you are not a member of that faith, you can sit quietly and observe. You will not be expected to participate in any religious aspects of the service. You are showing your support and respect for the family simply by attending the service.

After the funeral, the family may hold a reception. Usually, the reception is held for family members and close friends of the deceased. If you are not a member of the family or a close friend, do not attend the reception unless someone extends you an invitation.

Funerals are a difficult time for everyone involved, but knowing how to properly offer support to the family make the experience a little less awkward. Knowing how to act, what to say and how to dress will allow you the opportunity to pay your respects at a funeral service.

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Etiquette During Loss

Proper Funeral Etiquette

By Bill Abernathy

A funeral is a somber and difficult time for everyone, especially the loved ones of the deceased. It can be difficult to find the right words and act appropriately in such a serious setting, and this can be even more challenging if you have not attended many funerals. Knowing some guidelines before the funeral or memorial service will help you act and speak appropriately during a time of great sadness for the family and friends of the deceased.

You may have seen a funeral scene in a movie where everyone in attendance is wearing black clothes. While this is traditionally the case, you do not have to wear black. However, dark tones are appropriate and conservative dress should always be worn out of respect to the family. Do not wear clothes that call attention to you, like a bright colored shirt, jeans or other casual attire. Dark, muted colors are an appropriate and respectful choice.

Often times, sending flowers to the family of the deceased is appropriate. You can send flowers directly to the funeral home or to the home of the family. Before you do this, however, make sure you read the obituary and funeral announcement. It is not uncommon for families to ask for specific memorial gifts in lieu of flowers. Sometimes, the family asks that you make a donation or send a gift to a particular charity in lieu of flowers. If this is the case, make sure you tell the organization or charity is aware that the gift you are giving is in the name of the deceased person. The organization will let the family know of the donation they received in the name of their loved one. If you are unsure of the family’s wishes, contact the funeral director to find out where to send the gifts, donations or flowers.

Many families choose to have visitation hours (otherwise known as a Wake). This allows family and friends a final time to say goodbye to their loved one. Usually, visitation is held a day or two before the funeral burial service, or right before the burial service. If you attend a visitation at the funeral home, make sure you sign the guestbook and express sympathy for the family’s loss. A simple hug or handshake with the family, along with an expression of sympathy, is appropriate when communicating with the family – especially if you are not in a close personal relationship with them. Making small talk with other attendees is also appropriate, as long as the conversation is kept quiet out of respect for the family.

In Honor of Memorial Day 2009, A Funeral Flag, A flag prepared for presentation to the next of kin … Lion of Fallujah is laid to rest (Photo credit: Beverly & Pack)

The funeral service may be of a certain religious faith. If you are not a member of that faith, you can sit quietly and observe. You will not be expected to participate in any religious aspects of the service. You are showing your support and respect for the family simply by attending the service.

After the funeral, the family may hold a reception. Usually, the reception is held for family members and close friends of the deceased. If you are not a member of the family or a close friend, do not attend the reception unless someone extends you an invitation.

Funerals are a difficult time for everyone involved, but knowing how to properly offer support to the family make the experience a little less awkward. Knowing how to act, what to say and how to dress will allow you the opportunity to pay your respects at a funeral service.

Related articles

• How Can I Pay For a Funeral?


• Thefts from caskets rare but not unknown


• Man Dies On His Way To Wife’s Funeral


• Courtesy governs funeral processions


• Thief steals necklace from the coffin of a grandmother, 98, after posing as a relative


• Kindhearted strangers flock to funeral of lonely veteran hero


• Over 200 strangers attend veteran’s funeral after Facebook plea for mourners


• Pensioner attends her own funeral


• Rapper Smash Dead


• Forrester family grateful for donations

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Keys to Business Etiquette

by: Silas Reed

Etiquette is presenting yourself in such a manner that urges people to take you seriously. Etiquette also means to be comfortable among the people and also make them feel comfortable around you. The key factor behind a business to be successful is the employees, customers and/or the trading partner. So etiquette always plays an important role for the success of an organization.

Basic qualities

Although there are a number of guidelines and basic keys to business etiquette, it depends on the people, situation, local culture and many other factors. Besides following the rules of manners one should keep an open mind while communicating with the people. One should respect other’s culture, feeling and thoughts and be cool as far as possible in case of a dispute and try to find the solution.

It is very hard for an ill-tempered person to succeed in any field which demands public relation including business. One must be courteous, thoughtful and generous about the people around him and should try to avoid any unintentional violation of manners for their part. These are the common and basic qualities of business etiquette and the key of being a successful businessman and/or professional.

Business etiquettes

Learning business etiquettes is very important for anyone associated with the corporate world. The keys to business etiquettes include the following:

Punctuality:

This is the quality which impresses most of the people. One should attend a meeting at the right time. It shows that the person is responsible and serious about the matter. So other persons feel respected and in turn they also respect the person.

Appearance:

One should show adequate interest, attention and ambition while communicating and should present himself in that manner. He should be dressed and shaved properly. If s/he has confusion about the costume it is safe to wear conservative formal dresses.

Remember names:

One must remember the names and designations of those with whom he has been introduced. This will make them feel important. Otherwise he may be thought to be unintelligent and disorganized or worse: that he simply doesn’t care.

Attention:

Description unavailable (Photo credit: pennstatelive)

One must switch off his mobile phone before attending the conference. Otherwise, it may create disturbance and other may loss their attention.

Answering:

It is desired out of simple business manners that one should return phone calls and e-mails especially the ones s/he promised to.

The keys to business etiquette lies in the fact how one deals with the people in his surroundings. The moral of the story is one should give importance and respect to other people and co-workers.

Apart from these there is much etiquette to be followed in a business environment such as how to hold a fork and spoon properly in a dining table. These are required to be involved in corporate culture. But a fresher may not be too much worried about these. Because generally seniors do not mind for a minor mistake here and sometimes try to train him with a generous mind.

Source

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