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.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
"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.
The simple answer is no. You don't even need to hire a funeral director or religious leader when a loved one dies. Despite what most Australians think, there are no rules, laws, or regulations that require a funeral must be held immediately after a person dies.
Is it bad to cry at a funeral? Everyone shows their emotions differently and it can be healthy to cry at a funeral – don't feel embarrassed. Though, if you become a bit overwhelmed and find yourself crying uncontrollably, it's a good idea to excuse yourself until you have regained control.
If you have an adult with you at the funeral home, it is ok to touch a dead body, and you will not get in trouble. You are naturally curious, and sometimes when you see and touch a dead body it helps you answer your questions. Remember to be gentle and have an adult help you.
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.
While shorts are never appropriate, for men or women, and miniskirts are frowned upon; bare legs are acceptable if your skirt or dress falls to your knee.
Pink: admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love (often used at the funerals of women or children)
By wearing red to a funeral, they are honoring the deceased and helping to send them on their journey to the afterlife. In addition to red, other colors such as black, white, and green are also commonly worn to funerals in Ghana.
All others attending a funeral wear bright colors, even white, to signify that their relationship to the deceased was not as strong as close family members. Red is not worn because it is the color of happiness and worn at weddings.
Attending a visitation can be the hardest part for people to attend, because it involves talking to the deceased's family. A good recommendation is to say something simple such as “I am sorry about your loss”, especially if there are many other guests waiting to share their condolences.
But during the wake of their beloved, superstitions say that one must refrain from sweeping the floor. Neither should you try and take a shower at the place where the deceased is. Doing so may send its spirit away from the place, preventing it from “safely passing” to life after death.
Unless the family wants the funeral or memorial service to be private, you are welcome to attend. If you are close to the bereaved or the deceased, live close by and have no extenuating circumstances, then, by all means, go to the funeral. In fact, if you don't go, your presence may be missed.
Visitors should leave quietly and not say 'bye' when you leave the wake. It is believed that 'zai jian' (see you again) could be taken as an invitation for the deceased to look for you. TBH, we are not too sure of this ourselves, but 'bye bye' is definitely something you should avoid saying at a funeral too.
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.
Is It Okay to Smile at a Funeral? It's not only okay to smile at a funeral but it's also encouraged, especially when greeting the bereaved. Seeing someone smile at us can help lift our spirits. It's also a nonverbal way of showing support.
To Protect the Corpse from Being Stolen. Snatching dead bodies was common in many parts of England and Scotland in the early 1800s. Therefore, graves were always dug six feet deep to prevent body snatchers from gaining access to the buried remains.
Under normal circumstances the cremation is carried out shortly after the service. However when a service takes place late in the day, or there is an equipment failure, the cremation can take place the next morning.
Do not ever, unless specifically asked, take pictures of an open casket, or even with the casket in the background. Whether you intend to be flippant or not, it is disrespectful to the deceased and those mourning them.
"Wailers" are women who go to the funerals of people they don't know – and cry loudly.