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Some people may find themselves at a loss after the death of a loved one. They do not know what to do or how to go about planning a funeral. There are many choices you will need to make that seem to come at you all at once. It can be a hectic and stressful time trying to ensure your loved one gets the funeral that they wanted and deserved. One of the major decisions you will have to make is if you want to hold a viewing prior to the funeral of your loved one.
A viewing gives the friends and family a chance to see their loved one more time before the burial. You may want to keep the viewing private for only family and close friends, or you may want to have a public viewing where everyone can come and see the deceased before the funeral. You could even opt to have a private viewing before the public viewing to give the family a chance to visit and say their goodbyes before everyone else arrives. It is up to you and what you think is best.
A viewing can be a good thing for some of us. It may help nudge us along the difficult and complicated process of grieving. It may help us see the reality of the death of our loved one and help us achieve some sort of closure. A viewing can help us find solace in the death of our loved one and allow us to grieve and mourn our loss with others who are going through the same process. However, a viewing may not be the best option for everyone, and there are many reasons to be for or against having a viewing prior to the funeral.
Religious and cultural views can play a huge role in the decision of having a viewing. Many in the Catholic faith usually always opt for a viewing, but those in the Islamic faith believe in burying a body as soon as possible. There would be no time for a viewing. You will also have to consider the wishes of the deceased. Many people already have a detailed plan of how they want their funeral to be. If there is no plan for a viewing or the deceased has a no viewing clause, it is best to follow their wishes and opt out of having a pre-funeral viewing. One of the most common reasons to forgo a pre-funeral viewing is if the deceased died because of a tragic accident that caused some type of alteration to their physical appearance. There are times when the injuries may be repaired, but if this is not the case for you, it would be best to opt out of having a pre-funeral viewing.
If for any reason a viewing is not the best option for you, there is another option available. Some people choose to hold a visitation prior to or after the funeral. Typically, there will be a meeting between the family and close friends. There may be a small memorial for the deceased, such as pictures, music or floral arrangements. This type of event will normally be held at a smaller location with a smaller amount of guests. You may have to choose wisely on who may attend this event depending on the size of the location, but it can give your family and friends a little extra time to help you celebrate or mourn your loved one.
It can be hard making all the burial and funeral decisions of your loved one, especially during this tragic time. Remember that some people embrace the idea of a pre-funeral viewing while others are put off or find the idea of a viewing to be disturbing. It is up to what makes the best sense for your family and friends. You should weigh the pros and cons before making the final decision and rest assured that you made the best choice that you could for everyone involved.