Is it Important to Have a Public Viewing Before a Funeral?

Funeral planning can be a complicated process and family members are often forced to make difficult decisions that other people might not agree with. This is never an easy task and most family members struggle to come up with a solution that will be acceptable to everyone. At Wagg Funeral Home, we have observed that public viewing and visitation is often an important concern for family members and many question whether it is even necessary. Here are some tips that can help you make the decision:

What is a public viewing?

A public viewing happens during a formal funeral service where the body of the deceased is present for viewing. Family members, friends, and everyone close to the deceased visit and view the deceased before the cremation or the burial. Most consider this an important aspect of the grieving process.

Is it important to have a public viewing before the funeral?

Many believe it’s absolutely essential to have a public viewing before the funeral and there are many reasons for this. Death can be unexpected and painful. While close family members may get the chance to interact with or say goodbye to the individual before their passing, friends, family, and distant relatives don’t have that closure. A public viewing allows them to visit the decedent for the final time and say their goodbyes.

Private visitations are an alternative to public viewing, but they’re more time-consuming and can be difficult to arrange. This is still a personal choice so family members can come together and decide if a public viewing is a right option for them.

If you want to know more about funeral or memorial services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Wagg Funeral Home today and we’ll be happy to help.