Most funeral services culminate with a trip to the cemetery, which is considered by many to be a sacred place. As a result, attendees of funerals must conduct themselves appropriately when visiting the cemetery to honor a recently deceased loved one. Here are a few things you should do when at a cemetery, as well as a few practices to avoid. 

Do:

Speak quietly and respectfully. 

Cemeteries are somber places and mourners should act in accordance with others' expectations. Keep your voice low and refrain from shouting or yelling. Also, avoid speaking about inappropriate topics, especially in front of loved ones of the deceased. You should also avoid using your mobile device until you're back inside your vehicle. 

Ensure children are well-behaved. 

Parents must use their own judgment when deciding whether a child should accompany them to a funeral service. If you choose to bring your child, make sure they understand the type of behavior that will be expected of them. In the same respect, always keep tabs on your child at the cemetery to prevent them from misbehaving or causing a commotion. 

Don't:

Walk over the graves.

Families put in a lot of time and effort to ensure their loved one's graves maintain the proper appearance. As a result, treading over graves when at the cemetery can appear disrespectful to the hard work of families, as well as cemetery staff. Try to walk in front of or behind graves, or use any paths laid out in the cemetery. 

Handle monuments and gravestones.

Even the best constructed gravestone can become weakened by time. That means that handling them could result in damage, especially if the monument is particularly old. Even if the gravestone is in good condition, oils from fingers can cause the stone to wear down at an accelerated rate. Accordingly, it's best to keep your hands to yourself. 

Since 1918, Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home has provided kind, compassionate funeral services to families throughout the Harper's Ferry and Charles Town areas of West Virginia. In addition to providing tips and guidance, the staff will also help you understand your funeral planning options to ensure you make the best decision for yourself or a loved one. Visit the website for the complete list of services or call (304) 724-6500 to schedule an appointment.