When you decide to attend the services for a loved one who died, it is essential to know about the different kinds of services that are available. One option that Catholic families choose is to have Catholic services. These are very traditional options that you may not know too much about. If you want to go to the Catholic funeral service of a loved one but have never been before, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Tyngsborough, MA want you to remember.
One of the first things you want to keep in mind is that a Catholic service usually has three parts. It starts with the viewing or wake, letting people say goodbye to the person they lost and get closure. It is also an opportunity to mingle and speak with the family of the deceased. The casket is usually present, but it may not be open during the wake. After the wake comes the funeral mass. The funeral mass takes place at the church where the person received sacraments during life. It is a long service that focuses on the idea of resurrection through Christ. After the mass, there is usually a graveside service.
It is always appropriate to send a sympathy gift to the family. This is something that lets them know that you are thinking about them and that you have them in your thoughts. You can choose to send a sympathy card with a simple message. You can also decide to send them flowers. If that is what you want to do, remember to do so through a florist and include a card. If you want to make a donation in the name of the deceased, ask the family first because not all of them will feel comfortable with this.
Another thing to keep in mind is that since a Catholic service is very somber, you want to wear something appropriate. It is important to also be respectful of the religious aspects of the ceremony, so you do want to follow the example of those who know the Catholic service. You do not, however, have to receive communion if you do not want to.
These are some of the things that you want to remember when getting ready to attend the Catholic service for a loved one. It is important to know what to expect and what will be expected of you so that you do not offend anyone and so you can focus on getting closure. You can always reach out to experts to know more about these kinds of services. If you want to know more about Catholic services, you can reach out to a Tyngsborough, MA funeral home like us. We are here to help you with all of the decisions you need to make after the death of a loved one, so do not hesitate to contact us. Call us right now or stop by our location to speak with us about this.