What Do You Know About Visitation

Are you recently invited to a Visitation service of a friend at funeral homes Hellertown, PA, and wondering if you should go or not? It’s important to understand the ins and out of this service before you go attend one. 

Because of this, we have answered some common queries about Visitation in this article. Let’s give it a read! 

Question 1: What is visitation? 

A visitation is an informal gathering held right before the funeral service when the funeral home has prepared the body. During the ritual, the guests pay homage and condolences to the bereaved family and reflect unwavering support. 

Often, it is referred to as a wake or viewing. 

Question 2: How does it differ from the funeral? 

Viewing provides time and space for loved ones of the deceased to come together in a relatively informal setting. While the funeral is an organized gathering to formally say goodbye to someone who has died. 

Both the visitation and the funeral may be held at different places. But mostly, families hold the visitation at the decedent’s home while the funeral is generally arranged in a funeral home. 

Question 3: Is it okay to attend both the visitation and the funeral? 

Absolutely yes, if the family gives you an invitation. It doesn’t matter if you knew the deceased well or were just an acquaintance, attending these services reflects your care and love for both the deceased and the bereaved family. 

Question 4: What should I say at a visitation? 

That’s a tricky part. Many people get confused about what to say to the bereaved family and often prefer avoiding them altogether. But truth to be told, the family during such a tough time needs your empathy and support, albeit verbal. 

One of the worst things that a grieving person faces is the void left by the death of someone they loved. Emptiness. Loneliness. When you see a person who has lost a loved one and you turn away, say nothing, or avoid talking about their loss, you may be adding to their misery and grief.   

Thus, try to speak to them at some point during the evening. Start with how shocked and sad you’re on hearing about the loss. Feel free to share with them any fond memories you have of the person who has died. 

Psychologists conjure that hearing stories about the deceased gives solace to the mourners. Not to mention, this is the reason for the visitation in the first place. So know that anything you have to share will be welcome. 

If you are having trouble finding the right words to say, simply expressing that you are sorry for their loss is just fine. But don’t prolong the conversation as other guests also have to offer their condolences. Lastly, try to speak less and listen more, and don’t interrupt the mourners if you can avoid it. 

Hopefully, you’ve now enough knowledge at your disposal to attend a visitation at funeral homes Hellertown, PA, and offer your condolences to the family.