Attending a loved one’s funeral service is an important part of coming to terms with the loss. It can be complex, however, to think about attending a service that is very traditional, like a Catholic funeral. If you have been invited to one but are not sure what to expect, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Westminster, SC want you to remember so that you do not stress over going to this type of service.
Something you want to keep in mind is that most traditional Catholic services have three parts. It all begins with the wake or viewing. Here, people will recite the rosary and offer each other comfort as they grieve. The casket is usually present, though it is not always open. The funeral mass comes next. The casket is brought in during a procession and it receives the blessing of the priest. This is a very traditional service, so be sure that you pay attention to when everyone stands up, kneels, and sits down. At the end of the mass, the casket is taken to the place of burial where there will be the committal of the body to the earth. This graveside service tends to be short.
It is also a good idea to send a sympathy gift to the family. Some of the best options are to send a sympathy card where you can let them know that you are thinking about them. That is something essential that you want to consider doing. Another option you have is to send them flowers. You can do this by sending them to their home or to the location where the service will take place. Be sure that you do this through a florist and that you include a note to let them know that you were thinking about them. If you would like to make a donation in the person’s honor, you always want to check with the family to ensure that this is something they would like.
You want to understand that the Catholic service is a very somber affair. You want to dress appropriately, so choose something conservative and with a somber color. Something black is always a good choice. You also want to be respectful of the traditions of the service, so if you have never attended before you want to follow the lead of other people. If you are not sure when to kneel, stand, or sit, watching other people can make this a bit easier.
As you get ready to attend the Catholic service of a loved one, these are all important things to remember so that you can honor them correctly. You want to always be respectful of other people’s traditions you want to be sure that you wear something appropriate to the service. If you are still not sure about what to expect from this kind of service or if you want to know more, you want to reach out to a Westminster, SC funeral home like us. We are here to offer the guidance that you need as you deal with the loss of a loved one. You can give us a call right now or you can stop by our location to speak with one of our experts.