In general, it is wise to avoid taking pictures at a funeral or a memorial service unless you have been specifically asked to do so by the deceased's family. Deciding to snap a few candids of the cousins gathered together can create tension and ruin the mood at the service.
A funeral photographer makes sure to cover all aspects of the memorial service, including the wake, the flowers and the guests and they make sure to keep all photographs tasteful and respectful of the dead. Funeral photography is not something particularly new in funeral traditions.
Tribute Videos, also known as photo slideshows, remembrance videos and photo presentations, are one of the best ways families can remember a loved one, both at the service, as well as for many years after. Screening a photo presentation as part of a funeral service helps family and friends with the grieving process.
You are not required to actually view the body at a funeral viewing. Many people are a bit uncomfortable with the idea of attending a viewing, but keep in mind that funeral viewing etiquette does not require you to actually look at or spend time with the deceased if you are not comfortable doing so.
Stealing anything from a deceased person or their family is obviously a no-go. Even “just a flower or two,” is also disrespectful.
Unless explicitly requested by the deceased's family, it is best to avoid taking photographs at a funeral or memorial ceremony. Taking candid photos of the relatives in their most vulnerable moments of grief might cause stress and destroy the mood during the service.
Photos are perhaps the most common item families place in caskets. From wedding photos, graduations photos, family portraits, and any snapshot that captures the deceased lifetime works for their burial. Some families choose to add pictures with the frame, and others without the frame. Both are acceptable.
Wake and funeral receptions are often seen as a celebration of life of the deceased. In such cases, taking photos may be appropriate behavior. However, do your best to read the room. Do not take selfies or pictures with friends if the family is visibly upset or have not given their permission to do so.
First, ask permission to photograph the grounds and abide by the rules. Some cemeteries do not allow photography unless you are a family member visiting the grave of a relative. Be aware of the hours that the cemetery grounds are open. Don't get yourself locked inside a cemetery or caught in one after closing time.
It is generally not appropriate to smile in pictures at a funeral. A funeral is a somber and respectful occasion, and smiling in pictures may be seen as inappropriate or disrespectful.
Some people find this kind of memorial extreme, but for those who practice it, it is a way of honoring the life of a person who has passed and a chance for those who loved them to see them in action one last time.
Photographs. Photographs will form the foundation of your memorial slideshow. Aim for a selection of approximately 25 -30 photos featuring your loved one at various life stages and including a range of family and friends.
Etiquette experts say your decision to attend should primarily depend on your relationship and level of closeness with the deceased and/or their family members. But the general rule of thumb is if you can make it, you should be there—especially if you have a deep respect for the departed.
Prepare and dress the body of the person who has died. Prepare for a viewing in a chapel of rest, if this is something you'd like to do. Take care of the paperwork including making the application for the burial or cremation. Arrange the venue for the funeral service and cremation or burial.
At the funeral service, family traditionally sit on the right-hand side while friends, colleagues and other mourners sit on the left. Immediate family and close friends sit in the front few rows.
Generally, immediate family members and close friends sit at the front during the funeral service. Then additional close family and friends sit in the seats close behind. There's not usually a seating plan so if you're not family or friends, it's proper etiquette to wait until other people take their seats.
At the traditional funeral most Australians are familiar with, it is respectful to wear smart, well-pressed clothes in a dark colour. Black has long been typically worn by mourners at a traditional funeral, but dark shades such as navy or grey are also appropriate. A smart work suit or outfit is usually acceptable.
It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral.
A rather large overstuffed pillow is included in the interior package of a finished casket. This pillow helps to hold the decedent in an inclined position. This position helps present a naturally comforting presentation to the survivors.
Over time, coffins underground will decompose and eventually collapse. Covering the face before closing the casket adds an extra layer of protection and dignity for the deceased's face and can act as a symbolic final goodbye.
"Talking or being on your phone during the service is one of the most disrespectful things you could do at a funeral," says Myka Meier, Beaumont Etiquette founder and etiquette expert. It's important to be as present as possible. "Silence your phone, shut off your phone, or even just leave it behind.
This means no jeans, shorts, or tank tops. Instead, opt for dark, conservative clothing. Women should avoid wearing anything too revealing or flashy, and men should make sure their clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.
The worst things to say at a funeral
Don't tell friends or family members who are grieving that their loved one has gone to a better place. Never call the death a blessing or speculate that it was that person's time. Avoid saying anything that suggests that the loss of the loved one is a positive thing.