If you are thinking about attending the service of a loved one who was a Catholic and who wanted to have a traditional service, you want to know what to expect. Traditional Catholic services can be different from other options and if you have never been to one before, you may not be certain where to start. To know more about this, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Berwyn, IL want you to keep in mind. 

Something that you want to remember is that a Catholic service tends to have three parts. It all begins with the viewing or wake. People will join together to honor the person who died and to offer each other comfort. They will also recite the rosary. The casket is usually there but it may not be open. After that comes the funeral mass. The funeral mass takes place at the church where the person had their sacraments throughout life. The priest will bless the casket and there will be communion. The casket is then taken to the place of burial where there will be a graveside service. 

Keep in mind that a Catholic service is very somber. It is a service that focuses on the death and on the resurrection through Christ, so you definitely want to be respectful. You want to wear something appropriate so that you do not offend anyone. Be sure that you also follow the lead of the other people who are there and who know the type of service it is. You do not have to take communion if you do not want to, but be sure that you are respectful of the proceedings. 

You want to give the family a sympathy gift. That is something essential. You want to be able to offer them comfort and to let them know that you are thinking about them. A good way of doing this is to send them a sympathy card. You can also send them flowers. If you want to do this, do so through a florist and include a card. If you want to make a donation in the deceased’s name, be sure that you ask the family about this because some people prefer to keep the death private. 

These are some tips that can help you attend the service of a loved one who wanted to have a traditional Catholic service. You can expect a long service and one that is very traditional. It is important that you take some time to consider all of these things and to ask questions if you are not sure about something. You can learn more about all of this or you can ask about other types of services by reaching out to a Berwyn, IL funeral home like us. We are here to help you with all of the arrangements you need to make after a death. Call us right now or visit us today to learn more about the many services we offer.