What Happens at a Visitation for a Funeral?
A visitation is a common event for the family and friends who have lost a loved one. Anytime someone has planned funeral or cremation services in Royal Oak, MI, the individuals involved may choose to schedule a visitation to support everyone involved. Here is more information on questions you might have, like when it happens, over from a memorial service and occurs at the event?
When Does it Occur and What Happens?
The visitation is a time when friends and family can get together and view the body of the disease or then be paired by the funeral home’s cosmetologist. Typically, there will be an embalming process before the person sees the cosmetologist, which will help preserve the individual body until the event occurs. There may be a situation where the individual has passed away from illness, or and the family may have to have a closed casket service.
The visitation is generally held at home or some facility of worship before the funeral service occurs. These have also been called a “wake” by some cultures. This essentially means that it’s a gathering of people that have come together before the funeral. Some families may also have a memorial visitation after the individual has been cremated or buried, and the body will not be present at the event.
At the service, the family and friends are invited to come together and meet informally with the family who has experienced the loss. The event can last anywhere from an hour to several hours, depending on planning and their preferences.
If you plan on attending a visitation as a guest, you don’t need to stay the entire time; traditionally, guests will only last between 15 to 30 minutes as long as you can pay respects to the family.
What do you Wear?
Even though the visitation is not a formal event like a funeral, you will still want to be mindful about your attire. Avoid wearing anything flashy or loud that can take the attention away from the individuals who have experienced the loss.
Funeral and Visitation
Depending on how close you were to the individual and the family, you may end up attending the funeral and the visitation. The visitation will provide an opportunity to offer the family any means of support they might need at that time. Visitation is also more of a casual event, allowing for a more personable and intimate experience.
Helping Our Community
Whether you are attending a visitation or a funeral, you will want to make sure you understand what is considered proper etiquette in either event. From appropriate attire to any religious or cultural expectation might be with you, but it’s good to get the information before you go.
Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors understand how painful loss can be and how confusing it might feel planning a service. If you’re looking for funeral or cremation services in Royal Oak, MI, our compassionate and caring staff are here to help you through the process, so give us a call today to schedule your appointment.
