It is almost a knee-jerk reaction to want to take photos when attending an event. This is something that is usually fine, but is it appropriate for a funeral or memorial service? If you are planning on attending the service of a loved one but have never been to one before and do not know the etiquette regarding photos, there are a number of things that you want to know. Here are the tips that directors of funeral homes in Parlin, NJ want you to keep in mind.

At the actual memorial or funeral service, it is not usually appropriate to take pictures. This can be disrespectful and distracting for people who are dealing with grief. You want to focus on getting closure and coming to terms with the death, not with taking pictures. Sometimes, people want to take a picture of a memorial display or a special decoration. If that is something you want to do, you want to ask the family for permission and you need to be sure that you do not capture the casket in the picture. If the family does not want you to do this, then you need to respect their wishes and not insist.

There is usually a reception after the service, and most of the time, taking pictures here is not an issue. People will be mingling and being more social, and that can mean that they may not be as bothered by photos. What you do need to remember is that you always want to ask permission and that you should not interrupt conversations or get people to move around just so that you can take a picture. It is crucial that you are respectful.

Something that can be confusing to people sometimes is whether getting permission to take a photo allows you to also post it online. That is not the case. If you want to post photos from the funeral or memorial service, you need to ask permission from the family. Some families prefer everything to be more private so they will not want you to have the photos up on social media. I you want to share the photos with a loved one or two, you can do this privately.

These are some crucial things you want to remember when getting ready to attend the service of a loved one. You do not want to upset anyone and you do not want to be disrespectful, so if you want to take a picture, ask for permission and do not insist if the answer is a negative one. To learn more about other aspects of going to a service, you can reach out to a Parling, NJ funeral home like us at Brunswick Memorial Home. We have years of experience offering help and suggestions to our clients and we can help you with any funerary needs you may have. You can visit us today or you can give us a call to learn more.