Tips to Navigate Discussions at Funeral Services

Whether you have the gift of gab and can hold your own in any situation or you are not really much for small talk, you’ll want to proceed with caution when it comes to discussions at funeral services. You don’t want to jibber jabber during the actual service, for obvious reasons, but there will be times during the event at the Milton, WV funeral home when there’ll be time to talk to other grieving people. But what should you say? And how much should you say? While there are no hard and fast rules to guide you, here are some tips to assist.

Be Positive

Make a point to be positive. Your presence in and of itself will be important, but you can be a beacon of hope by limiting your conversation to positive things. If you happen to have a moment to talk to a fellow griever in the lobby before the service, you can share a positive memory about the deceased or offer words of comfort to lighten their emotional burden. Setting the right example can help to keep people focused on the positive even while they’re grieving.

Listen More than Your Talk

Another way you can navigate discussions at a funeral service is to listen more and talk less. It’s an oft-repeated saying that the reason we have two ears and one mouth is that we should listen twice as much as we talk. It’s a good rule of thumb for life in general, but it can be even more important during something like a funeral service. Do more listening than talking, let others express themselves. Silence is golden, and sometimes an empathetic nod means more than spoken words.

Steer Clear of Unnecessary Talk

A funeral service is no place to discuss matters that have no relation to the funeral service. So you don’t want to start talking about the deceased and then end up talking about your child’s upcoming piano recital or about your recent vacation. Stay on topic.

Hugs Never Go Out of Style

Of course, you can’t go around hugging everyone. For one thing, some people aren’t comfortable with that sort of physical contact. But you can bet that many people who are at the funeral service will appreciate a supportive hug. Sometimes a hug means more than words. Use your discretion and dish out as many hugs as you can and be sure to receive hugs with open arms.

The next time you’ll be attending a Milton, WV funeral home for a funeral service, be sure to keep these tips in mind. If you need to plan a funeral or cremation, contact us at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home & Crematorium for the assistance you need. Our professional and compassionate staff will help you make the plans you need to bury or cremate your loved one. You can reach us via phone at (304) 342-8135 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also visit us at 1118 Virginia St E Charleston, WV 25301 for the help you need.