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A memorial service can be an emotional experience for family and friends of the deceased, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to act. Although it may not be the first thing to come to mind when attending memorial services, proper etiquette can go a long way toward showing people how much you care.

Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals in Keansburg, NJ, shares a few tips on having the right etiquette: 

  • Sign the Guestbook: Most memorial services include a guestbook attendees are expected to sign. Because of how many people they're spending time with, and the sheer emotional weight of the event, the family may not always remember who came to the services. Signing the guestbook is a good way to help them keep track of everyone. The guestbook is simply a log of those who attended and should not be treated as a space to offer condolences. 
  • memorial servicesSpending Time With the Family: It can be hard to know how to interact with the grieving family at a memorial service. It's important to remember, while the family is probably busy splitting time between all the guests, your support will always be valued. It's better to find a chance to communicate your love and support than to not interact with the family at all. For those in mourning, these gestures make a difference. 
  • Bringing Children to Memorial Services: While some parents shield their children from funerals and memorial services, this isn’t always the best approach. Bringing children sometimes offers them a meaningful opportunity to establish a sense of closure with the deceased and understand the ways to deal with death. While it may present some difficult conversations, bringing children is an invaluable chance to help them begin to understand death. 

Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals has been gracefully handling funeral planning and memorial services in the Keansburg area since 1947. Their compassionate staff guides families through the entire funeral process, helping them pick out a casket, design a program, and carry out tasteful, touching services. Visit their website to learn what you can expect when working with the directors, or give them a call at (732) 787-1177. 

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