Losing a loved one is never easy and can become more challenging when it’s time for you to say your final goodbye. Going through a period of grief is intense, and it’s helpful to have a guide that can detail different ways that you and your family and friends can say goodbye to a deceased relative while also continuing to show them the respect they rightfully deserve even after they’ve passed.

Below you will find a guide that will help you during this time and ensure the send-off you choose is the right one for your loved one.

Honor Their Religious Beliefs

The first thing you should do when determining how to say farewell to your loved one is to ensure you’re honoring their beliefs. For instance, a Buddhist funeral service would be appropriate for people that practice Buddhism. Their religion has specifics that will help guide you as you plan their final farewell. 

Also, based on the religion the relative aligns with, there might be an insight into how they want to be buried. A farewell is about what your loved one would have wanted, and even if it doesn’t align with what you believe, you’ve got to do the right thing and adhere to their wishes.

Sometimes these wishes are outlined in their last living will and testament, but if it’s not, you will have to consider how they lived their lives and make decisions based on that specifically. It helps if you can consult other family members whose beliefs may also align with what your family member previously would have wanted. 

Say Goodbye Thoughtfully

Another way to ensure the final farewell is meaningful is to think of various ways to say goodbye. Saying goodbye can be overwhelming, especially if you’re using those specific worse. Thus, it is better if you allow everyone to say goodbye in a different way that fulfills their needs.

You can address how painful it is to say goodbye or the fact that the family member would want everyone to be happy and not sad during this time. You might consider inputting a quote in your speech that addresses the feelings everyone might be dealing with at this time.

It doesn’t matter how you say goodbye just ensure that the way you do it makes sense and again remains respectful to the person that has passed. 

Host a Celebration

Sometimes the best way to grieve is to gather with others you love and talk about all the positive aspects of the person that has passed. You may find that others have stories you’ve never heard before, and hearing these stories can provide increased comfort that you didn’t have before.

Ensure everyone understands this is a time of celebration and provide support to one another as you all are grieving the person that has passed. If you’re going to host this type of celebration, provide a room where everyone can sit and congregate as they share these stories.

It also helps if you provide food and drinks because these types of celebrations can go on for hours, and you want to have what you need to continue making guests comfortable while you all deal with something this difficult.

Be Timely

While people want to attend a final farewell, no one wants to be there for hours upon hours. When planning the final farewell, be mindful of everyone’s time, and that takes some planning on your part to ensure you say goodbye within a time that makes sense.

If you’re unsure how to plan things in a way that makes sense, you might want to consult with a funeral director. They will ask some questions about the deceased because, again, religious beliefs that play a part in burial can determine the length of the farewell itself.

It would make planning things like speeches and the processional for the farewell easier. However, if you don’t have a guide consulting with a professional will aid in making the final decision.

Saying Goodbye: Doing It the Right Way

When it comes time to say your final goodbye to a loved one, it’s never easy. It’s a time for grieving, which can make it challenging to plan a farewell that honors your loved one in the way that they need and deserve to be honored for the life they lived.

Whether you plan something based on their beliefs or consult a professional, there are several ways to go about doing it. For more help during this time or tips that could be useful, continue scrolling through our blogs.