Visiting With Friends At The Funeral Home
When you get a phone call, an email, or see the funeral notice in the obituary portion of the newspaper, it might come as a shock to you. Sure, perhaps you weren’t close to the person who passed, but you know someone who was. You want to be there for that friend. That might mean visiting the funeral home in Monroe, NC where the services will be held. Walking into a funeral home can feel very uncomfortable and you want to do what you can for your friend. This advice can help you feel more comfortable with the idea and process.
Approach Your Friend
When you attend a funeral service for someone you don’t know very well, you are really there for a loved one that person has left behind. You don’t have to wait for your friend to approach you. In fact, you shouldn’t. They have a lot on their mind and they probably aren’t thinking about your comfort or what they can do for you. Instead of waiting and hoping to get a chance to talk to them, approach them and let them know you are there. They may not even know of your support if you don’t go up to them after the service.
Share A Story, If Possible
You may not know the person who passed on very well, but you do know your friend and perhaps they talked about their loved one. You could remind them of a story they told you about their loved one to help them remember the good times during this hard time. If you don’t have a story or popular phrase, that’s okay too. It’s more important that you are there. You can simply tell them you are sorry for their loss and give them a hug. Sometimes, the less you say, the better.
Don’t Stop Support After The Services
Once the services are complete and you leave the funeral home, some people think that’s that. But grief is going to continue on for your friend and you want them to feel your support in the coming days and weeks. Give them a little time with their family and then check in and see if there’s anything you can do. Offer to take them out for coffee, if they’re ready for that, or offer to bring them a meal or do their shopping. Death is hard to deal with and many people in the midst of grief find their friends fall away and let them mourn alone simply because they don’t know what to do to help. Offer your support in any way you can think of doing so.
It may not be easy to walk into a funeral home in Monroe, NC, but you should move forward with your friend in mind. If you need information on service times or possible gifts you could bring, contact Heritage Funeral & Cremation Services by calling (704) 846-3771. We’re located at 3700 Forest Lawn Dr Matthews, NC 28104.
