What To Expect At A Funeral Home Viewing

If someone you know passes away and they have services at funeral homes in Coraopolis, PA, one of the services that it could include is a viewing. This service, also known as a visitation, takes place before the funeral service. Guests are able to come and go, sort of like an open house, view the person who has passed on, greet their family, and spend some time together sharing memories and mourning. It can be a time to get closure, pass on condolences, and say a final goodbye. If it has been a while since you have attended a viewing, or if you never have before, it’s good to know what to expect.

Viewings, unlike funerals, are more of an open house so you don’t have to be there right at the start, and you don’t have to stay the whole time. Immediate family will be there for most or all of the viewing, but your timing is open to whatever is most convenient for you. You can arrive when it starts, stay for half an hour and then leave. You can come in the middle. You can also come half an hour before the viewing is over and have your time then. People can come and go at will and it’s really better not to overstay so you make room for others who want to share time with the family.

It can be hard to decide what to wear to a viewing. It’s not a funeral so formal items are not necessary. But you want to dress in a respectful manner, at the same time. If you are coming straight from work and dressed in office wear, that probably works for the viewing. If you work as a landscaper, you might want to change and shower first before you make your appearance. Use your judgement on something that is nice, respectful, and appropriate. You can call the funeral home for advice, if you feel like that would help.

At the viewing, if you want to approach the casket to say goodbye and see the person, you certainly may do so. But you also do not have to do that. If you don’t really know the person who died, but instead came to support a friend who lost a loved one, you might just want to share your condolences. If you do want to approach the casket, wait until there are not others there so you can have your own time and let others have theirs.

Funeral homes in Coraopolis, PA help with all sorts of final services, including viewings and visitations. If you have questions about setting up those services, or if you want to ask about how you need to approach such a service, the professionals at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care are here for you. We help to plan and implement final services of all kinds, but we are also here to support those who want to be there for families in mourning after a tough loss.