After the passing on of a loved one, a viewing is held in honour of the deceased before the final funeral where the deceased is finally buried. During times like this, it is often difficult to control emotions. Perhaps for some reasons, you could not make it to the viewing or the funeral, and you are bothered with the question, do you send flowers to the viewing or the funeral?
At times like this, etiquettes of viewings and funerals can come in handy. When you are aware of the etiquettes of viewings and funerals you would be able to know if it is best to send flowers to the viewing or the funeral. And in return help, a grieving soul feels a lot better from the passing away of a loved one.
Basically, you can send flowers to both the viewing and the funeral. Although it is essential that you send flowers to the funeral, that is if you cannot afford to buy flowers for both occasions. Flowers are expensive to buy, although they are not that expensive compared to paying your final respect and love to the deceased and the deceased family members. In all ensure that you send your flowers within four weeks after the funeral. This is an essential etiquette everyone should take note of. If you cannot afford to buy a flower within four weeks of the funeral, do not send it after.
Funeral etiquettes are not all that simple. Funeral etiquettes can be at the same time complicated and yet simple. Because so many emotions are involved during times of the passing on of a loved one, just the slightest mistake could really cause an emotional breakdown. So, apply these etiquettes to provide strength for the family members of the deceased, and support and give them a shoulder to lean on.
Purpose of Viewing and Funeral
After the passing on of a loved one, it is most often preceded by viewing and then a funeral. The purpose why a viewing and a funeral is often organised is for friends and families to come together to celebrate the life of the deceased. Although a view or a funeral is called a celebration, it is more of a sad celebration than a happy one.
Tears filled in the eyes of most people. Favourite music of the deceased are being played, but the deceased cannot hear them, likewise, praises and stories about their silly mishaps are being told, but the deceased cannot laugh at them. Nor would the deceased by able to join everyone in the toast to their memories.
But despite how sad a viewing or a funeral might be, it is organised just for the sake of the deceased. It is actually a final way we can pay our final respect and honour to the deceased. Also, it can be seen as a way of saying our final goodbyes in a public way.
As a friend, your presence in the viewing or the funeral is a way of showing to the family member of the deceased that even though they lost a member, the deceased would not be forgotten. So the viewing and funeral can also be seen as a way of keeping the memories of the deceased alive in our hearts.
The General Etiquette of Viewing and Funeral
The following are some basic questions that a lot of people do ask about viewing and funeral, and some general etiquette that can be applied to it. Having an idea of this etiquette is essential to ensuring that you know what is expected of you to do during the viewing and funeral.
- 1. Do you attend the viewing and funeral of a person you do not really know?
Yes, you are expected to attend both the viewing and the funeral even though you do not really know the person. As long as you are aware of the passing away of the person, you are expected to attend the viewing or the funeral. Well unless the viewing and funeral were decided to be done privately by the family members, in that case, you cannot attend. When you attend the viewing and funeral of a person you do not really know, and you speak of how you know the deceased, it would be a way of showing the family members of the deceased you honour and respect the deceased.
- 2. Do you send flowers to the viewing and funeral?
Yes, you should send flowers. But on the other hand, flowers are quite expensive, so if you cannot afford them, you can just send a card instead. But ensure that you send it within four weeks after the funeral. You can also decide to attend the viewing and the funeral to pay your final respect and say your final goodbyes.
- 3. If you send flowers, who do you address them to?
If you are to send flowers to the viewing or funeral of a deceased, the card inside the flowers can be addressed to the family members of the deceased. If the deceased is married, you should address it to the spouse of the deceased, and children if any. For a child’s funeral, you can address the flowers to the parents and siblings of the deceased.
- 4. The family is asking for a donation for charity but instead, I want to give a flower is that OK?
It is more ideal to honour the deceased the way the family members choose. If they want a donation for charity it is best you give the donations rather than flowers. A lot of flowers would be provided by the family members, so there is no need to add more flowers. A nice gesture would be to send a flower to the family after the funeral, but ensure you send it within four weeks after the funeral.
- 5. Do I send flowers to the place of viewing or the funeral home?
It depends on how fast the flowers can get delivered. If they can be delivered on time, then have them sent to the viewing location. But if the flowers would not be delivered on time, then have them sent to the funeral home where staffs would ensure that they end up at the funeral location.
