Wake Visitation and Visitors Guest Register Etiquette

LAFAYETTE, La. - Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Read About Etiquette for Wake Visitations and Guest Register

As we all know, there is a tremendous amount of grief felt by all those who have lost someone very special to them, and because of the infrequency of the occurrences, few of us feel confident about the proper etiquette for the wake and visitation day of the funeral. Although most of us know that personalized bereavement cards should be sent to all those who offered their condolences, sympathy, brought food, and just otherwise were supportive of the family, there are still lots of other details to consider. Please read the following helpful suggestions for the wake, visitation, and guest book etiquette for bereavement cards at http://www.invitationsbyu.com/bereavement-cards.htm

Suggested Etiquette for the Wake and Visitation

The wake and visitation provide opportunities for the family members of the deceased to receive guests, and for those guests to view the open casket before the funeral. This event can be an informal open invitation to receive visitors at one of the deceased family member's home, or as formal as requesting specified hours at the funeral home for visitation.

Even though you do not plan a visitation or a wake at your home, you should still expect your friends to drop by your home, usually unannounced, bringing food, gifts, flowers, or other thoughtful items. In fact, you would be well advised to keep a pot of coffee going along with some refreshments on hand, or you could suggest these things when you are asked what they might do for you during these times. However, again, most visitors will bring these on their own. In fact, those friends should and will help ensure you have the coffee hot and the cups washed, thus taking some of the small tasks from the family.

Having the Wake with Visitation at Your Home

When having the wake in your home, and the casket is present, you should expect the guests pause briefly for a quiet prayer or reflection. However, you should still anticipate that the visitors will greet you either before or after pausing at the casket, depending on where the casket is placed in relationship to you and the door. Plus, it depends on whether you are occupied when they arrive. It is not necessary for you to seek out each of the visitors, especially if the crowd is large, but you should spend as much time as practical with as many of them as possible instead of focusing on just a few.

Having a Guest Register is a Must

You will certainly want to have a guest book for everyone to sign so you have a record of all visitors and to use for sending your custom bereavement cards. Plus, your guest registration book will also be a great source of comfort to the family members to look back through in the future.

In addition to the guest register, you'll want to keep a notebook close by to record the names of those who: visited; brought flowers and food; and assisted in any way or offered to help in any way. These people will need to be sent a personalized thank you bereavement card expressing your appreciation for their thoughtfulness. At times like these, you definitely don't want to rely on your memory.

Find lots of sympathy cards for bereavement at http://www.cardsshoppe.com/bereavement-cards.htm and bereavement card wordings at http://www.invitationsbyu.com/wording-bereavement-cards.htm at websites like CardsShoppe and InvitationsByU.