Late morning to early afternoon is the most common time frame for funerals. Families often choose this time bracket so that their guests can stay for a luncheon or reception before heading back home. In contrast, wakes, viewings and visitations are usually occur in the evening, the night before the funeral.
A funeral service is generally held after the wake, either on the same day or a few days after. Attending the funeral is a personal decision, and many people choose to attend one ceremony or the other. Depending on your closeness to the deceased or your closeness to the family, you may choose to attend both.
Yes, funerals can be held at night, but you'll need to consider a few things first. We'll go over these items and also discuss funeral traditions in the United States. We'll also give you ideas for nighttime funeral services, receptions, or vigils.
But this can take longer if the funeral director has limited availability. People usually hold funerals on a weekday, between Monday and Friday in the morning or early afternoon. But you can usually arrange a funeral service for the weekend instead.
Some reasons to not go to a funeral include: You want to go, but the service is private. The service is out of town and travel would be difficult. You are sick or have a chronic condition that would make it difficult, impossible, or highly uncomfortable to attend.
If one is considering not having a funeral it is often for one of two reasons: 1) The person who died expressly stated they didn't want a funeral. 2) Someone (or multiple people) in the family does not want to have a funeral.
On What Days Are Funerals Typically Held? American funeral homes are often open seven days out of the week and allow services to be held on any day of the week. In the United States, Saturday is the most popular day for a funeral due to the 5-day work week and generally high availability among most people on Saturdays.
Visitation, Wake or Viewing
Held the night before or immediately prior to the funeral service, the visitation – also called a wake or a viewing – provides a way for friends and acquaintances to pay respects and offer condolences. If a casket is present, you can choose to have an open or closed casket.
The Funeral Service
Expect service to last between half an hour to one hour; longer for public figures, or if there are lengthy readings or speeches. A clergy member or other officiant presides over the funeral service, and a printed program is generally provided to guests.
A standard funeral can be up to about 2 weeks after the date of death. If the body is cremated, the family can wait as long as they'd like, but most are done within a month at the latest. If the deceased is already buried or cremated, a memorial service can be held at any later date.
Should I attend both the wake and the funeral? It is respectful to attend both, but not compulsory. If you don't feel comfortable attending the wake, or you have a prior commitment you can't avoid, it's polite to let the grieving family know in advance – a phone call or message is usually appropriate.
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.
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.
In Australia a funeral is commonly held between two and five days after a person has passed away. There are a range of factors that can impact this timeframe, and if those family members helping with the arrangements are overcome by grief or located elsewhere it would be reasonable to extend this timeframe.
However, there are no strict rules when it comes to having to wait a certain amount of time. You can have a funeral two days after death (or less) if necessary, especially if your religion or beliefs require it.
A repast is any gathering of people after a funeral service. Some people called it a reception, which is the term most commonly used. That said, repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial.
While black is always a great go-to if you're unsure about what you're wearing, colors like gray and navy are also appropriate. Your most important goal is to avoid wearing anything that will distract attention away from the loved one who has passed away.
Flowers, sympathy cards, custom keepsakes, and donations are all appropriate gifts to bring to a funeral. While a gift is certainly not required, it can be a thoughtful way to communicate your love for those grieving. Flower and plant arrangements can often be sent to the funeral home prior to the service.
Wakes used to take place in the home but more often than not are held in funeral homes these days. Some choose to have them in the social hall at a place of worship. Wakes often take place a day or even several days before the funeral. Modern wakes can also take place right before the funeral, on the same day.
Contact the person's doctor. A doctor must certify that death has occurred. Normally funeral arrangements cannot be completed until the doctor has signed and issued a Death Certificate. The Funeral Director can then take the deceased into their care.
What to expect during a funeral? The funeral service is typically led by a member of the clergy or a celebrant, but anyone who was close to the person who has died can do it. A funeral service may include eulogies, funeral hymns, readings, and music. Some families will also choose to include a photo or video slideshow.
It is not a selfish act to request not to have a funeral after you pass away. There are many reasons why you may not want to have a funeral and any of them are valid. You deserve to have any send-off that you wish for, so don't be afraid to share your last wishes with your family openly and honestly.
Can you wear jeans to a funeral? The most common answer is that jeans aren't considered appropriate funeral etiquette unless requested by the family. However, dark, unembellished jeans paired with a shirt, tie, and blazer for men or a blouse and a blazer for women can be appropriate for a casual service.