viewing people laid out

dbnavan

The other night a friend of mine was killed. Was more a bloke I knew then a friend I worked for his father, and he used to cover the odd shift for his Dad, However he died the other in a car carsh and is going to the church tonight, his body is laid out, however I dont know if I should go to the viewing.

I dont know the family very well, no more then on would know their boss or work friend ìn average circumstances. Didnt socialise etc, he knew my wife from her calling in to work, and would stop for a general hello if we passed on the street.

Just trying to work out if I should just go to the church or go to the funeral home first.

This is not about viewing dead bodys in general, have seen grandparents and stuff but was either related or knew them alot better.

Peace

dbnavan wrote:

The other night a friend of mine was killed. Was more a bloke I knew then a friend I worked for his father, and he used to cover the odd shift for his Dad, However he died the other in a car carsh and is going to the church tonight, his body is laid out, however I dont know if I should go to the viewing.

I dont know the family very well, no more then on would know their boss or work friend ìn average circumstances. Didnt socialise etc, he knew my wife from her calling in to work, and would stop for a general hello if we passed on the street.

Just trying to work out if I should just go to the church or go to the funeral home first.

This is not about viewing dead bodys in general, have seen grandparents and stuff but was either related or knew them alot better.

In that situation i would just go to the church and pay my respects there.

The Hill Billy

Straight to the church. The funeral home is generally for family & close friends.

If its in a funeral home then go there if you want.

To suggest that its just for close family and friends there is nonsense.

I've been to hundreds of funerals at this stage-yes hundreds and I can tell you that if its in a funeral home it's all right to go there if you want.

If you dont want to go there thats fine, just go to the church, but dont just not go to the funeral parlour because you think its inappropriate.
It's grand , most people go in my experience regardless of their relationship with the dead person.

It also helps the family to know that you came even if you just sign the visitors book they will know in a few months when they are reviewing it ( funerals can be a haze obviously for the bereaved at the time but still they like to have people come)

b3t4

I too have been to quite a few funerals in my life time.

The general gist of things was that if you don't know the person you would try to get to some part of the funeral to pay your respects to the family. If you do know the person then you would be there for every part.

If you can't make the funeral home go to the funeral.
If you can't make the funeral go to the funeral home instead.
Else send a condolence card to the family.

When the coffin is being closed everyone who isn't family or a close friend will be asked to leave the funeral home. This is the only time that the funeral home is specifically for family and close friends.

Hope this clears things up for you,
A.