What are the ettiquettes to going to a Christian funeral?

Question

I'm Muslim and am going to a Christian funeral this weekend. I'm not really sure about the proper ettiquette for it.

What should I wear? Black? What happens during the sermon? What are things I should NOT do?

Thank you so much.

Answer 1

Usually the services are far more religious than the actual person was, but there is a great diversity in how Christians handle funerals. A funeral in an Egyptian coptic service, a catholic service, and Protestant service will look vastly different.

Ironically, the more formal it is (Catholic, Orthodox, for example) the less you need worry about observing any customs at all. If you sit in a pew or chair the whole time and do nothing at all no one will think much about it. At a less formal service, one in a funeral home's chapel, for example, merely standing and sitting when the rest of the people do so is respectful enough.

Dress - dark or neutral colors work, nothing bright.

If the wake (pre-funeral time) is open casket, some people choose to view the body and then offer condolences to the family members standing near the casket (usually it is like a greeting line where you view the body and then the family is right there to shake hands and hug people). However, there is no requirement or expectation that you do this. It is good etiquette in that case to find teh family when they move away from the casket and offer a kind word. "I'm sorry for your loss" is a simple, commonly heard phrase. It's also nice to add a sentence or two of why the person made your life or the world better - "He was a good guy, always had me laughing." Other than this, wakes are typically somewhat quiet - not silent, but conversations are carried on in hushed tones out of respect.

At the actual internment, when the body is placed in the ground (assuming a traditional burial rather than cremation, etc), the family usually is seated and everyone else stands. There will be scripture and prayer, and again all that is asked of people is that they silence cell phones and conversations. Typically, everyone waits until the end of the service but only a few, if any, of the family will actually stick around for the lowering into the grave.

When in doubt, silence and sitting or standing with everyone else is basically always going to be right.

Answer 2

It particularly varies via denomination, and additionally via what's asked via the kinfolk of the deceased. i've got been to many Christian funerals. some have been open-casket, and a few had the crematory urn there, mutually as others did no longer have the deceased "attending" in any respect. frequently, there will be prayers, hymns and different particular song, and Scripture readings. in some circumstances, there will be a sermon. some church homes use eulogies, mutually as others do no longer (i know of quite a few community church homes that don't think in eulogies). till now the funeral provider (in some circumstances an afternoon or 2 till now), the kinfolk will frequently have visitation, a wake, or different situations to greet mourners. The funeral provider itself is often held on the funeral homestead, the church, or someplace else entirely, based upon what the kinfolk needs. frequently, after the provider, there will be yet another short graveside provider, through fact the deceased guy or woman is buried, entombed, or positioned right into a columbarium. in some circumstances, human beings will collect at a kinfolk member's homestead after that, yet at times, all people merely is going homestead. If the guy exchange into interior the militia, the Masons, or another team, there may well be funeral rites from those communities the two on the church or on the graveside, besides.

Answer 3

I wouldn't look at this funeral as a time to compare your religions. Be exactly who you are. Dress how you want, and express how you feel in your own way. If they are truly Christian people then they will respect that. That's a big problem in this world, people judging you or you having to conform to how other people are. I know you're trying not to offend anyone but just feel it out and do what comes naturally to you. This is after all, a time for each person to say good bye in there own way. It's about the dead, not the living.

Answer 4

Well, you can wear black or anything dark. It's not imperative.
You just shake their hand and say, I'm sorry for your loss or
You have my deepest sympathy. I don't know what type of
service so I can't answer that. Kindness is the best policy.
Follow what others do, quietness is always good. If you're
close to the people a hug is appropriate. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Wear black if you were really close to the person, otherwise just wear dress pants and a sweater, or khaki's and a shirt. A Christian burial takes about an hour. Do what feels comfortable to you in regards to genuflecting, and kneeling... if it's against your religion, don't worry - you are there to pay your last respects to your friend.

Answer 6

I think funeral service is funeral service regardless of religious affiliation goes...more than majority of people attending Christian funeral in this case would be wearing very dark colored clothings, formal attire would be appropriate. what are things not to do? giggle...i don't advise standing up in the middle of funeral service and start doing the Macarena dance or chicken dance. :-D I will be saying a prayer for Max and his family.

Answer 7

you don't need to wear black, but dark colors are generally appropriate. If you are going to the funeral home, just do what everyone else appears to be doing - you don't need to hang out long, just long enough for you to be comfortable that you have paid your respects. If you are going to the church, again do what others are doing in the service, at least the standing/sitting/kneeling parts. Don't take communion. At the gravesite, just stand quietly and respectfully.

Answer 8

Dark colors, especially black, used to show mourning..............but that's not really true anymore. You can wear your own comfortable clothes -- but, out of respect, I think you should dress appropriately nice.

I admire that you're going to a funeral of another faith. They will pray and sing hymns and you don't have to participate. They will probably also be a time to view the body..........just go with the flow - it shouldn't be too unexpected.

Answer 9

Basically just dress decently preferrably in black and be respectful of everybody else. I myself am an atheist but much of my family are christians during the prayers just bow your head in silence.

As for don'ts I guess showing up drunk or stoned is a big one.

Answer 10

You don't necessarily have to wear black. Just don't wear anything bright and flashy. Other than that, just go with the flow. They'll probably read some verses and sing some hymns, then talk about the person. There isn't necessarily anything you should NOT be doing. Just sit and follow the example of everyone else. You don't have to pray along if you don't want to, no one will notice.