What You Can Expect at a Funeral Service

When someone passes away, their funeral service can serve as an important part of the mourning process. Not only does this service allow attendees an environment to grieve and say their final good-byes, but it can also serve as a way to find closure and start the process of healing. Although important, if you have never had to be a guest at a funeral before, attending your first one can be intimidating. Directors of funeral homes in Medina, TN. explain what you might expect so that you can feel more comfortable.

Before the Funeral Service

The first thing you should know is that you need to arrive to the service on time. This means showing up at the location early so that you have plenty of time to find parking and make your way inside. Giving yourself about 15 minutes to do this is typically enough.

When you arrive at the location you will need to park in one of two areas. If you are driving as part of the procession afterwards, you will need to park your car in the procession line. If you are not participating in the procession, there will be a separate area for you to park your car. Most funerals services will have parking attendees that will either direct you where to park, or park your car for you.

Once you make your way inside, you will need to find a seat. If you see others that you know and they invite you to sit with them, then feel free to do so. If you do not see anyone you know then simply take a seat anywhere except the first few front rows as those are reserved for the family.

The Funeral Service

The funeral service will typically begin with a music selection and a procession. This procession will start from the back of the room and make its way up to the font and consist of the body being carried in the casket by pallbearers, followed by the family. The pallbearers will place the casket in the front of the room and the family will take their seats. The service will then begin.  

While every service may be different, most all of them follow a common order. This order consists of: 

 - The Welcome / Introduction

 - Prayers or Readings

 - Music Selection

 - Reading of the Obituary

 - Eulogies Given

 - Scripture Reading

 - Closing Remarks

 - Thank You and Acknowledgments 

After the Service  

After the funeral, you may be invited to the graveside committal. If this is a public event, there will be an announcement made at the end of the funeral service letting you know where it is taking place. The same is true if there is a funeral reception to take place. If you are invited to either of these, it is polite to attend if you can. If these events are private and for family only, make sure to respect that and give the family the time they need. 

If you would like more information about what you can expect when attending services from funeral homes in Medina, TN., feel free to reach out anytime as we are always here to help.