When someone close to you dies, it can be comforting to say your last goodbyes to them in person. And although everyone grieves differently, being able to have a final moment with the person who has passed can help with the process.
Visiting a chapel of rest allows you to see your loved one for the last time, pay your respects and say anything you wanted to say.
However, this experience might not be for everyone. It can be very emotional to see your loved one once they have passed, which is why many decide not to go. But understanding what to expect when you visit can help you decide whether it’s a good opportunity or not.
If you’re worried or unsure about visiting, this article will discuss what you can expect from a chapel of rest to help you decide.
An Open Coffin
Usually in a chapel of rest, the coffin will be open. This is one of the aspects that worries people the most about visiting. You may be concerned about whether your loved one will look different to how you remember them, but this can be prevented.
A way to stop your loved one’s appearance from altering too much is by choosing to get embalmed and dress them how they usually would. Embalming causes the body to decay less quickly to preserve the remains for as long as possible. This will allow your loved one to look as close to how you remember them as possible.
Being able to see them for one last time can be very comforting to many people going through grief. It gives you the time to cherish your moments and be with other family members during a difficult time. The chapel also offers a quiet and peaceful space to see your loved one and say goodbye in your own way, the open coffin can help with the closure of this.
If you are really worried about seeing your loved one, you can ask a family member to visit before you to let you know what it is like.
You can also speak to the funeral directors to get their advice on the chapel and ask them any questions you may have.
When You Visit
The atmosphere in a chapel of rest is usually one which is relaxing, peaceful and quiet. It is less formal than a funeral would be, and you can usually act in a way that the family sees as respectful.
Talking in a chapel of rest is permitted but will ultimately be down to the close family members of the deceased. Some people may want to speak privately with the deceased, and others may have things like poems prepared. But ultimately, it’s down to how you would like to spend your final moments.
If you’re wondering what to wear, it’s common for people to dress quite casually and not as formal as the funeral, so you can wear what you’re most comfortable with.
If you don’t wish to visit the chapel of rest itself, but you would still like to be there for your family members, there should usually be an area outside the room. This allows you to show up for those who need it, without having to visit the room yourself.
Grieve Your Own Way
If you require closure after the death of a loved one, visiting a chapel of rest can be the best way to do this. Everyone will grieve differently, so it’s important to think about how this experience may make you feel before making a decision.
It’s a good opportunity to share memories, say goodbye and close that door.
Again, even if you don’t want to visit the chapel itself, you can still go along to support your family members. If you’re still unsure, speaking to your funeral director can help.
