Should I Attend the Funeral or Not?

Should I Go To the Funeral?

A funeral is a difficult event to attend for everyone present. However, sometimes, one of the challenges may be whether or not to attend the funeral. Its important to remember that a funeral is time to pay your utmost respect to the family. You have to consider what your presence will bring to the funeral. Within this article, we will look at the questions that you need to ask yourself before you attend a funeral.

Reasons Why You Should Attend a Funeral

Often when you are invited to a funeral, its because the immediate family knows that you had a relationship with their passed loved one. They understand that it is also important to have others at the funeral to grieve, but it also helps them in the grieving process. When you receive an invitation to a funeral from the immediate family, respect them and attend, even though it may be hard for you, remember that there is a room full of people that are also experiencing the different levels of grief. If you feel like it may be too hard to attend the funeral alone, bring someone with you that can help you.

Reasons to Not Attend the Funeral

Funerals can be times that are uncomfortable and full of sadness. Although you may feel a little uncomfortable going, its not necessarily a great reason for not attending. However, if you know that your presences might make some members of the family uncomfortable, consider mourning the loss privately. Its important to remember that funerals are all about paying your respects to the family, your presence could have an adverse impact on them, shifting the focus away from their loved one and onto you.

If You’re Still Feeling Conflicted

If you are still feelings like you aren't sure whether or not to attend, here are a few more questions to ask yourself. Remember that this is an important decision.

How will you feel in the future about not attending?

In several years from now, will you regret not attending or will you be happy grateful that you stayed home to grieve. By trying to think of how you may think in the future, it provides you with insight on how you are currently feeling

Is there another way for you to pay your respects?

If you choose to not attend the funeral, are there other ways that you can pay respect to them? Did you know of a charity or group that they were strong believers in? When you are able to pay respects in your comfort level, it may help you with a sense of guilt about not attending the funeral. For some people funerals are too hard to attend, but it is also important that you find a way that you can respect them.

It’s not always an easy decision to make, but by following the guidance in this article, you can decide whether to attend that upcoming funeral event. To learn more, speak with our team directly at Nutmeg State Cremation Society.