After the death of someone who was a Catholic, you may be asked to attend a traditional Catholic service. If that is something that you would like to attend but you have never been to one before, you may not be sure what to expect. This can make the entire process a bit more stressful. To ensure that you can get the benefits of attending the services of a loved one, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Lebanon, PA want you to remember before you attend. 

You want to remember that there are three main parts to a Catholic service. The first part is the viewing or the wake. This is where people get to mingle with others who are also suffering the loss and where you can say goodbye to the person you have last. The casket is usually present, though it may not be open. After the viewing or wake, there is the funeral mass service. The funeral mass takes place where the person received sacraments during life. The casket will be brought in and the priest will bless it while also offering communion to the other guests. Once the mass is over, the casket will be taken to the place of burial for a graveside service. 

Keep in mind that Catholic services are very somber affairs. They focus on the death of a person as well as their resurrection through Christ. Even if you are not religious and do not have these beliefs, you still want to be respectful off the other guests. If you do not know what to expect from the service and have trouble knowing what to sit, stand, or kneel, you want to keep an eye on the other guests to know what you have to do. You do not have to get communion if you do not want to. Be sure that you wear something somber, and nothing too revealing or too casual since that can be offensive. 

It is also a good idea to send a sympathy gift for the family. Some of the best options are to send the sympathy card where you can let them know that you are thinking about them. That is something essential that you want to consider doing. Another option you have is to send them flowers. You can do this by sending them to their home or to the location where the service will take place. Be sure that you do this through a florist and that you include a note to let them know that you were thinking about them. If you would like to make a donation in the person’s honor, you always want to check with the family to ensure that this is something they would like. 

Attending the Catholic service of a loved one who was religious can be a wonderful way of honoring them. If you have never been to these before, you want to take some time to consider what you can expect. To learn more about all of this, you can reach out to a Lebanon, PA funeral home like us. We have years of experience, and we can ensure that you get the quality services that you want for your loved one. Visit us today or stop by our location right now to learn more.