Tag Archives: funeral service

Is White Or Black The More Appropriate Color To Wear When Mourning

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Is white the new black to wear when mourning? is modern culture likes to interpret things differently and one question that crops up. An integral part of life and most people will attend at least two or more in a year is attending a funeral. To attend funerals some people find it awkward as they do not know the right dress to wear or the right words to say to the mourners. Dressing appropriately and saying the right things shows that you respect the deceased and the loved ones.

While it is not necessary to get new attire for a funeral, it is important to dress modestly, nicely and soberly. Most cultures – especially Christian – wear white for a wedding, which is a joyous occasion. So, many Christians may not want to associate white with mourning. On the other hand, dressing soberly is the norm and white is a nice, simple and subdued color that can show respect and honor the dead. Some of the common and traditional colors worn are:

Black White Gray Khaki Purple Light blue Navy blue.

They are all sober colors and not flashy from the above colors we see that the common factor. People wear the favorite color of the deceased if the family so desires them to do so sometimes. People may deviate from the prescribed sober colors and wear something more colorful as this can be a way of celebrating the departed person and in this case. To dress modestly is an important factor to observe. Women especially must not wear too-tight and low cut dresses is that it means. To display too much of flesh, and you may also need to bend over, hug someone, help people into their seats etc it is disrespectful.

Both you and those around you feel uncomfortable at such a sober time a tight and low-cut outfit makes. That are knee-length or longer women can wear dresses or skirts. With a sober top is also acceptable a dress pant. Do not wear too much make-up or flashy lipstick and make sure that your shoulders are covered. With a pendant stick to simple jewelry like a string of pearls or a thin chain. Earrings again should preferably be studs and not hanging ones. Shoes should also not be flashy but simple.

Formal dark suits like black, dark gray or navy blue is that men must wear. In a sober color this can be teamed with a pristine white shirt or one. In bright colors do not wear flashy ties with polka dots or other designs. In the similar classic sober color the rest of the ensemble – shoes, socks, belt must all be. You can observe the family members and follow their lead if you do not know individual traditions. At the gravesite especially if it is hot weather sometimes men will take off their jackets.

A simple watch and no other jewelry should be weared. Shorts, sandals, jeans and other casual wear. While funerals are not formal events, they are ‘semi-formal’ ones. Hence, simple dresses and a business suit will do nicely. Both men and women wear hats to a funeral sometimes. Again this must be sober and match the dress. With the other mourners the most important rule is not to draw attention to oneself but rather blend inare not acceptable attires.

Do not wear clothes with loud patterns on them. Then get a self-patterned shirt or dress that is appropriate if you prefer to wear white. On the culture the choice of color really depends. To a funeral since they believe a person is free from worldly pain Hindus usually wear white. In some Hindu traditions, the widow has to wear white from the time her husband dies for the rest of her life in fact.

Some Asian cultures believe that black represents evil and prefer to wear white as a sign of peace, holiness and sadness. So, actually the color worn depends on the country and culture the deceased person and family belong to. These days, modern families are a little more liberal and do not frown on people dressing differently to a funeral. However, a funeral is a sober and reflective time and the most important factor is to think of the mourners rather than how you look. So, dress accordingly.

Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on funerarias Guatemala and servicio funerario Guatemala, visit his site today.

To Observe The Right Funeral Culture And Traditions In The US It Is Important.

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North America follow some distinct funeral rites most religious and cultural groups. In US that is mostly observed here are the Common Funeral Culture and traditions:

Visitation Funeral service Burial service Gathering.

This varies depending on different religions. But most US cultural groups follow these rites. A visitation is also called a wake and it takes place two or three days before the actual funeral service. First, it must be observed that unlike some Asian cultures like Hindus, Muslims, etc., US funeral rites do not take place at once but over a period of a few days.

In formal clothes the body will be embalmed and dressed up. Chosen by family members and kept on display then it will be placed in a casket. This happens at the funeral parlour, home, community hall or a religious place of worship. On the body along with religious symbols like a cross or rosary jewelry may also be placed. Prior to burial or cremation although most people will leave the religious ornaments to be buried in the casket these maybe removed.

A visitor’s book will be kept that people can sign and write messages of condolence. Pictures of the deceased in happier times will be displayed. These days, a DVD is often prepared with happy memories of the deceased with family and friends and this can be played throughout the visitation. The viewing of the body can be either open or closed casket. In open casket, the body will be embalmed and dressed with make up for the viewing. However, if the body is badly damaged due to a fire, accident or illness or if family members cannot bear to see the face of their dearly departed loved one, then a closed casket is used.

Viewing the deceased and comforting family members the time and date of the visitation will normally be announced and friends and relatives can come and spend time. Flowers maybe sent for the viewing and placed around the casket. Jewish people who make up a large part of American culture never display the body. The funeral takes place soon after death embalming is also not allowed. To the deceased’s home similarly, flowers are not taken to a Jewish visitation although a food or fruit basket maybe sent.

At the funeral parlour on the day of the burial, a funeral service may be held at the church or other places of worship, community hall. From the scriptures read a priest will conduct a formal service, hymns will be sung and a passage. The family will often have the visitation, funeral and burial service on the same day to facilitate other elderly friends to attend the service if an elderly person has died. At the gravesite, crematorium or mausoleum burial service also called the ‘Vale of Rest’ takes place. To the burial site a funeral procession usually takes place from the site of the visitation.

Military rites will be observed at the final resting place if a military person has died. From the church pallbearers – usually male close friends and relatives – will carry the coffin. Which will bear the casket to the burial site they will place it in the hearse. The pallbearers will carry the coffin from the hearse to the site here again. Most religions allow the casket to be closed although sometimes, it maybe opened one last time for everyone gathered to say a final goodbye at this time.

Now, further prayers maybe said by the priest before the body is finally placed in the ground, tomb or cremated. While usually the jewelry worn on the deceased will be left, sometimes – especially for cremation – these maybe removed. The final funeral tradition observed in the US is a gathering or memorial service. This is a time to celebrate and remember the life of the deceased. It can be held a few days or weeks after the actual funeral service.

Where they can reminisce about the deceased, tell stories, read poems and sing songs close friends and family attend this memorial. By dinner this need not be a religious service and will often be accompanied. With this memorial service and eulogies maybe said at the funeral service itself some traditions dispense. As to the type of wake, visitation, funeral and memorial service they want sometimes, people will write a living will leaving behind specific instructions.

Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on funerarias Guatemala and servicios funerarios Guatemala, visit his site today.

How Different Societies Perform The Mourning Rites

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There are several religions and cultures all over the world and each society practices different rites. These rites are performed for birth, death, marriage and all other important events in a human beings life. It is important to know these rites especially if it involves friends and neighbors living around you. Apart from gaining knowledge, it allows you to participate in the important events of another religious group and show respect for their beliefs. Therefore, we shall look at Mourning Rites from different societies like:

* Christians, * Jews * Hindus * Muslims * Buddhists * Humanists

Even within each religious group, many sub-sects and divisions practice mourning rites slightly differently. However, knowing how some main religions practice mourning rites will help us understand and respect their beliefs a bit better. According to Christianity, death is that a person will be resurrected and have a life after death. This is based on the belief that Jesus Christ rose again on the third day after his death and went to heaven.

So, all those who believe in Jesus know that after death, they will be taken to heaven to live a life of harmony, free from pain with Christ and fellow believers. They also have a clear belief that there is a place called hell where sinners and unbelievers will go. Roman Catholics believe in an intermediate state that is known as purgatory. Here souls are sent to be purified and they remain waiting for the day of resurrection when all believers will be gathered to heaven.

Christians believe in one physical life. After death, a person is prepared for burial by being placed in a coffin. After a visitation or wake, a funeral service takes place at a church after which the body is taken to the burial site. Flowers are placed around the coffin to symbolize eternity and continuity. Jews also believe in one physical life. The body is washed and dressed in a white cloth – shroud – and put in a coffin. Jews do not allow the body to be embalmed and will bury it within 24 hours of death. The mourners will slit their outer clothing as symbols of grief.

This is followed by seven days of mourning and Kaddish is offered every day for eleven months. Every year on the death anniversary, Kaddish is said and a candle left burning for 24 hours. Hindus believe in reincarnation and that the deceased reappears in another form – this form need not necessarily be a human form. This cycle of birth and re-birth will take place until the body reaches God. Hindus only believe in cremation and this takes place within 24 hours. The body is wrapped in cloth and placed on a funeral pyre – comprising firewood.

Modern Hindus make use of a crematorium. The eldest son should perform the funeral rites. If there is no son, then a senior male relative will take charge of the funeral rites. A ceremony is held on the ninth, eleventh or thirteenth day when prayers are offered and food served. When public mourning ends, a huge feast is held. Every year, special pujas or prayers are held on the death anniversary. Muslims too like Christians believe in only one life and that after death, there will be a day of atonement when every soul will be judged based on his or her deeds performed on earth

Muslim mourning rites are simple and readings are offered from the Koran – the Muslim Holy book. The body is washed and dressed simply in a shroud or white cotton sheet and placed in a coffin. Burial must take place before noon and without any delay. The body is always buried facing Mecca which is the holy land for all Muslims. Every Eid, family prayers are held at the gravesite

Buddhists believe in a cycle of birth, death and re-birth until the soul achieves enlightenment. Hence, all mourning rites focus on smoothing the deceased’s passage to another existence. Humanists are those who do not believe in God and hence think that death is an end to life, as it is known. There are no specific mourning rites and they maybe cremated or buried depending on the wishes of the deceased. Before attending the funeral of someone who belongs to another religious sect, it is important to know the mourning rites so that you can honor them in the proper way

Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on servicio funerario Guatemala and contratos funerarios Guatemala, visit his site today.