What Is Funeral Arrangement Etiquette?

Funerals are a sad time and professionals need to understand how to make the bereaved feel comfortable.

Funeral service professionals serve families in their deepest time of need, when they face the death of a loved one. Funeral service professionals should have as their goal to make the family feel as comfortable as possible while consoling them and helping the family determine what is needed for the funeral arrangements.

Attire

Funeral service professionals must dress appropriately.

Funeral service professionals should be dressed in suits or proper dresses at all times. This creates a professional look.

Behavior towards bereaving

Show a caring attitude.

Show genuine sympathy to the grieving family. Families want to know that you care. It builds a level of trust between the funeral service professional and the family.

Conversation

Let the grieving family talk.

Ask open ended questions during conversation with the family. Give the family the opportunity to tell you the story of their loved one. This will help the funeral professional gain information needed for the death certificate, obituary and casket, urn and burial vault selection.

Display listening skills

Confirm all information with the family.

Confirm important information, maintain eye contact and nod in agreement as the family is speaking. This allows the family to know they are being heard.

Sales techniques

Help the bereaved select what they need.

During funeral arrangement conversation you should have determined the financial standing of the family and personal likes and dislikes. Select caskets, urns and burial vaults to show the family that meet their needs, budget and desire. Also offer something additional of value, such as a memory drawer.

References

• Herron funeral home:Funeral etiquette