After a loved one has died, you may be able to visit them before the funeral. This is usually done at the funeral home in a chapel of rest or a mortuary. You can spend time with them alone or with a close friend, family member, or the funeral director. Whether or not to visit a loved one is a deeply personal decision.
You may be forced to view them, for example, if you are required to identify your loved one or if you were present shortly after they died. In this case, you may still want to watch them later in a more controlled, peaceful setting. Similarly, you may not feel compelled to see them again.
It can be difficult to know what is best if you have a choice whether to view them or not. Do you want to remember them the way they were, or do you want to see them again to say goodbye?
Making A Decision
Some people feel compelled to see their loved one, while others are aware that the experience would be too upsetting for them. Finally, this is your decision, and you should not feel pressured to make one way or the other by friends or family members.
If you are unsure, it is critical that you consider how seeing them may affect you. Consider what would be most beneficial in assisting you in working through your grief.
Your decision may also be influenced by the circumstances surrounding their death. Be aware that if their death was unexpected and traumatic, you may prefer to remember them as they were. The funeral director should be able to advise you on this and prepare you for what to expect.
What To Expect
At Carlyon Funeral Directors, Truro we always make every effort to ensure that viewings are conducted in a respectful and peaceful manner. We will frequently guide you of what to expect, such as the layout of the room, the location of your loved one, and their appearance.
The room where you will see your loved one will be quiet and peaceful, with perhaps some flower arrangements and chairs. The coffin of your loved one will be placed in the room so that you can see them and say your final goodbyes. It usually does not take place in a morgue, as you may have seen in movies and television – funeral directors do their best to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Saying Goodbye
When you see your loved one, you may want to touch or kiss them. Unless the funeral director tells you otherwise, this is usually permitted. If you are unsure about touching them, please ask.
You may wish to converse with them or simply sit in silence for a while. Each person has a unique way of saying goodbye.
After The Viewing
A viewing may be the first time your loss feels truly “real,” which can have a profound emotional impact.
After the viewing, you might want to talk to someone, such as a close friend or a bereavement counsellor. This may assist you in comprehending the experience and expressing any emotions that may have arisen. Alternatively, you may wish to be alone in order to think.
The experience is likely to have left you with strong impressions and emotions. You may feel as if it was a completely negative experience right after, but with time, you may come to see it as an important part of the grieving process.
If you require additional assistance after viewing your loved one, there are numerous bereavement counselling organisations that you can contact for advice and assistance.
If you’re ready to arrange a funeral of a loved one, contact us today. Carlyon Family Funeral Directors near Truro, Cornwall. We are available to sit down with you and talk things through over a nice cup of tea. Alternatively, you can give us a call or contact us through our website, we are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
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