Almost any piece of music can be played at the funeral as long as copyright restrictions do not apply. Commonly, people choose hymns for funerals or play a CD of a favourite song or piece of classical music. Many crematoria have a full digital music library available to choose from.
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.
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.
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.
It is perfectly normal not to cry when someone dies. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone deals with loss in their own way. It doesn't mean that you don't care, that you are cold, or that you are broken in any way. It simply means that you process your emotions in a different way.
What is appropriate clothing for a funeral? Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.
Yes. From time-to-time, the three music licensing organizations have targeted funeral homes through regional and national compliance and enforcement programs. If music is played at a funeral home without a license, the funeral home could face a copyright infringement action.
No, it is not disrespectful not to sing hymns in church, ever. There are regular churchgoers who never sing because they don't sing well, don't like to sing, or maybe just don't like the music.
The power of music enhances the experience of funeral ceremonies in a positive and appropriate way. Funeral planning and funeral music go hand in hand. Simply put, all funeral ceremonies should use music to both pay tribute to a lost loved one and create an atmosphere where healing can begin for survivors.
Funeral music doesn't have to be sad. Lots of people choose joyful, inspiring or even funny tunes. If you believe a funeral service should be a celebration of life, consider some of these happy funeral songs.
Usually 3-5 songs are played throughout the service. Think about which song you want to be played first and last. Usually the last song should be the one that people will remember, so choosing their favourite song is a perfect send off.
Funeral Seating Guidelines
At many funerals, relatives of the deceased sit on the right side. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives.
"Wailers" are women who go to the funerals of people they don't know – and cry loudly.
Crying at a funeral is a normal part of the process, especially if you were close to the deceased. However, there are a lot of times when it might not feel right to cry at a funeral. Perhaps you need to stay strong to support a family member, or you might be speaking at a funeral and need to keep your cool.
It is the normal, human response to a significant loss. People may encourage you to “be strong” or “not to cry”. But how sad it would be if someone we cared about died and we didn't cry or we carried on as if nothing had happened. I'd like to think that someone will miss me enough to shed a tear after I'm gone.
Observing Sabr or patience does not mean we cannot feel down or cry our grief; for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also had tears in his eyes when Ibraheem, his son passed away. But we must not hit oneself, cry excessively, tear down the clothes, and most especially question Allah's decree.
Being late is rude in any situation, but when it comes to a funeral, being late can be both incredibly disrespectful and disruptive. The last thing you want to do while others are grieving is to draw attention away from the service by arriving late. So plan ahead, and be on time. Or better yet, aim to get there early!
Try jumping jacks, push-ups or jog on the spot, if you have enough space and privacy do so before the funeral. Otherwise, simply pinching yourself could be enough to stop crying. Others bite their cheek, dig their nails into the palm of their hand, or stretch as a means of distraction.
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.
Africa. At least 37 staff of the Guinness World Records have since passed on while on deployment in Uganda to record what the reference book says is the longest funeral ever held. Mr Oh Aganda died in 1986, the records book says. “The funeral has been going on since,” Guinness World Records says.