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Babies: 6 - 9 Months
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Catholics: Funeral Question
I need to attend a funeral held at a Catholic church on Friday. I honestly do not know the etiquette and do not want to be disrespectful. Is it okay to bring LO or not? If I had a choice, I wouldn't bring him but I have no one to watch him.
TIA.
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Re: Catholics: Funeral Question
Cam 6.6.10 - Autism, Global Developmental Delay, Mixed Receptive/Expressive Communication Disorder
Some Catholic churches have rooms that are designated crying rooms that will allow you to observe the funeral mass with LO. Don't worry about bringing LO its all good if they fuss. Maybe bring a few things that can entertain LO durring the service. Im Catholic and since we are encouraged to procreate its only natural there are a few meltdowns from the many children
Im sorry for your loss.
This. Or go to the cry room if they have one. Bring soft books or toys to entertain LO and you should be fine.
Sorry for your loss.
Protestant with some funeral experience here (it's the South, funerals are a big deal). I think it depends on your baby. If he is a generally good baby, then you can probably bring him and just station your self near the back I would try to schedule him so that he is well fed and sleepy in hopes he just naps.
I do agree with LisaJay that small children and funerals do not mix. Little kids just don't understand what is going on and it may be hard to expect them to behave appropriately. I don't think I went to the actual funeral until I was 7-8, but I did go to visitations and such much younger.
I completely disagree with the two last posters.
Babies bring a sense of joy and life to an otherwise sad event. They allow people to smile at a time when they're grieving.
If you weren't that close to the deceased, I can see leaving LO at home, but if it is a family member or close friend, then LO will be a bright spot in a sad day.
I'd be more apt to not bring LO to a wedding than a funeral, honestly.
I agree with the above posters that stated sit near the back, bring soft books/toys and sit in the cry room if need be. Also, if you aren't that close to the person, there is usually a viewing the night before or before mass that you can attend, pay your respects and then leave before the somberness of mass begins.
I don't know that we are this far apart on this. I was more speaking to the couple of years where kids may not be able to sit still and don't understand what all is going on. I remember being really upset to see my mother cry when my great-grandfather died, I was maybe 5 at the time. I also wanted to ask a million questions. So if you aren't that close the person, I wouldn't bring a young child.
Saddest funeral I ever went to was of a guy a couple years older than me. His little 2-3 year old girl was twirling in the aisles because she had on a dress and the music (Pie Jesu by Sarah Brightman) was pretty. The whole church was bawling. So yes, I get the bright spot in a sad moment sentiment.
Thank you very much for your replies. I can totally see both sides that people are referring too. That's why I didn't know what to do. It is for my friend?s mom who died unexpectedly. I didn't know her but I wanted to be there for my friend.