Cellphones at Funerals

Attending a funeral service for a friend or a loved one requires that you are knowledgeable and prepared for all of the rules and expectations put in place. While there typically aren’t any rigid rules that attendees must follow, there are unwritten expectations that guests should strive to uphold. Maintaining proper cellphone etiquette is a big factor when attending a funeral. If you are in the area and are looking for funeral homes in Bradenton, FL then feels free to give us a call or stop by so that we can let you know about all of the services that we offer. We look forward to speaking with you!

Put It Away

One of the first rules that you’ll want to follow regarding cellphone usage at a funeral is to put your cell phone away. While this may seem as though we are stating the obvious, there are a lot of people who remain unaware of this basic rule. Not only should you be sure to put your cellphone away at a funeral service, but you should also turn it to either silent mode, vibrate, or just shut it off completely prior to entering the vicinity of the service. Out of all of the options, we recommend silent mode or powering the phone down over the vibrate function. While the vibrate function on phones is effective at preventing any unnecessary ringing, they run the risk of being audible during particularly quiet moments during the funeral service. This is why it’s always a good idea to play it safe and opt for silent or a powered-off cellphone. What you also want to avoid is checking your phone at any point during the service. While you may be tempted to nervously check your messages and calls, doing so will only serve to portray you as someone who is disinterested or unbothered by the seriousness of the service at hand. To avoid all of this, simply put your phone away!

Keep It Discreet

Another useful piece of advice to keep when attending a funeral service with your cellphone on hand is that you’ll want to keep your usage as discreet as possible. It’s understandable that people with small children will likely be tempted to check their cellphones in order to ensure the safety of their kids, however, there is a right way to go about it. Rather than pulling your phone out in the middle of the service and congregation, we recommend removing yourself from the area altogether prior to taking out your cell phone. If you are in a church, for example, then utilizing a side aisle in order to find an exit that leads either outdoors or into a hallway is always best.

Avoid Pictures

Preplanning lets you create your own unique life celebration. This may seem like common knowledge but, believe it or not, people still need to be reminded about this. Taking photographs or videos at a funeral is not only a distraction during what is supposed to be a solemn service, but it is also a sign of great disrespect. Remember, funerals are a tough day for most people and one most prefers not to have documented.

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