Expressing Sympathy Correctly

Is there a really a right and wrong way to express your sympathy to a friend who is going through the death of a loved one? There is etiquette advice and manners for just about everything today and while you never want to do the wrong thing, you might simply because you don’t know it’s wrong. Take some advice from your East Brunswick, NJ Jewish Funeral home so you can express your sympathy in the right manner.  

Tip 1: Don’t Bring Flowers 

While most funerals welcome flowers, Jewish funerals are different. If you aren’t a part of the faith, but you want to express your sympathy to a friend who is and has lost a family member, you won’t want to bring flowers. Jewish ceremonies are very simple and flowers aren’t welcome. Instead of bringing flowers as a sympathy gift, just show up. Your appearance alone is very honoring to your friend and their loved one. If you want to bring something, bring a hand-written card and include a memorial gift for a special fund.  

Tip 2: Keep It Simple 

Your friend is going through a lot and they probably won’t remember much about the day. There could be a lot of people coming through that they have to see and they may feel obligated to offer comfort as well as receive it. When it’s your turn to speak with them, keep things simple. Don’t go into stories about deaths in your family or how you dealt with your own grief. Instead, tell them you’re sorry for their loss and there for them during this difficult time. That’s all you need to do.  

Tip 3: Follow Up Later 

While your presence at any type of funeral or memorial service says a lot, it will mean even more to your friend if you contact them later with an offer of help. You could offer to run errands for them, watch their kids so they can have a break, mow the lawn or anything else that might need to be done that they don’t feel like doing. Being there for them during the long-haul of grief will be something they truly remember and appreciate down the road.  

Are you about to visit an East Brunswick, NJ Jewish Funeral home to attend services for a friend’s loved one? If you need more advice on what to bring, what to say, or what not to bring or say, contact the experts at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels. We help people plan funerals and memorial services, but we also want to be there to support those who will be standing behind the grief-stricken. Stop by our location at 454 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 or call with your questions at (732) 390-9199. We’re here to help you through this time, as well as the bereaved. If you have the occasion to plan a funeral service, or if you want to plan your own final services in advance, we can help you with that as well. We’re here for you, whatever you need.