NBR: Hispanic Catholic Funeral?

avalovesart

Is there anything I need to know before attending a Hispanic Catholic funeral tomorrow evening? Like, what to wear? Any special traditions? What am I expected to do/say to the family?

Thanks for any tips. I have no experience in Catholic or Hispanic funerary traditions.

jju_stb_jju

Usually we do a rosary and that's about the only difference I can think of. If its in a church you don't want to wear something revealing, add in showing too much cleavage or bare arms like tube top dresses or short sleeves as in muscle type sleeve.
ETA also don't be surprised if theres music or mariachis! We haven't done this in our family but I have seen it done in other funerals we have been to.

nanilove87

jju_stb_jju:

Usually we do a rosary and that's about the only difference I can think of. If its in a church you don't want to wear something revealing, add in showing too much cleavage or bare arms like tube top dresses or short sleeves as in muscle type sleeve.
ETA also don't be surprised if theres music or mariachis! We haven't done this in our family but I have seen it done in other funerals we have been to.

All of this!!

avalovesart

Thanks ladies! A few more questions...do I need to participate in the rosary prayer? Will it be rude if I don't? (I'm not Catholic, so I don't really want to do it unless it would be considered rude, plus I really wouldn't even know what to do) Another note on the clothing...do I wear black?

jju_stb_jju

No you don't have to participate. My Mom is not catholic but my dad and siblings and I are and she doesn't participate but she will sit with us through it. I usually wear black or even gray.

Mar5195

Well it sounds like it's a funeral, not a "rosary" which would be the when they pray the entire rosary. 

The funeral should be a mass (it might be in Spanish) followed by a little thing at the grave site.  So just follow along whole sit, kneel, stand exercise. 

Expect music (like mariachis) and plan to eat some really good food afterwards!  Latino people are all about feeding the masses! 

I'm very sorry for your loss.