Funeral Visitation and Viewings

When you have recently lost a loved one, it is understandable that you may not be able to think clearly about things. It is a difficult time. Under such circumstances, it may be confusing to completely comprehend some funeral-related terms. For example, while funeral visitation times and funeral viewings are similar, they are not the same. The key difference is that the visitation does not necessarily require that the body be present, while a viewing includes the body of the deceased.

Funeral Visitations

While all beliefs and backgrounds are different, funeral visitations often take place at the family home. They can be up to three days before interment or disposition of the body. Some families are very open and happy to have people come visit and celebrate the life of their loved one – often by bringing a casserole or other food dish to share – while others are more comfortable gaining quiet support from friends and family in a more non-verbal way. There is no right or wrong answer to how to grieve. Instead, take your cues from the family and be sure you are not lingering overlong and putting strain on those grieving.

Funeral Viewings

Viewings can be a slightly more formal affair, and are often held at the funeral home. At Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, our compassionate and caring staff is ready and willing to help guide you through the process of arranging a respectful viewing, memorial service and even interment or cremation – depending on your unique needs.

Finding Closure

Both the funeral visitation and the viewing are ways that friends and family can get closure. They can also help the healing process when a loved one has passed. While multi-day viewings used to be commonplace, in today’s busy society, they now typically last only a day or two at the most. In the case of an unexpected passing, the additional time can allow friends and family to say their goodbyes without rushing and feeling as though they did not have the time that they needed for this critical step of grief through to acceptance.

While a funeral visitation and viewing are certainly solemn occasions, they can be a way to reconnect with family through remembrances of your loved one as well as a way to pay respects to one that you held dear. Let Mountain View Funeral Home be a trusted source of information to help you during this most challenging of times.