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What are the Dos’ and Don’ts of Funeral Donation and Gifts?

India is a multicultural nation where different religions follow different funeral rites. However, staying by the family members and consoling them during this time is constant everywhere.

Even though your presence matters the most over everything else, bringing a consolation gift is prevalent in Indian culture. It is important not to bring anything that might hurt cultural beliefs and sentiments. Read along to learn more on the dos’ and don’ts of funeral donation and gifts to avoid doing so.

Dos’ of Donating and Gifting in Honour of Your Loved One

Donating and gifting are acts of remembering when a loved one passes away. Whether for family members, loved ones or friends, donating and gifting is crucial when honouring the deceased person. Moreover, it also helps in the grieving process of the close ones. Following are some dos’ of funeral donations and gifts for you to remember while honouring your loved one:

Show Sympathy Through Gifts

If you know the deceased and have come as a friend, colleague etc., bring funeral gifts like fruits, flowers and incense sticks. It is common in any Indian household during funerals. It is symbolic of sending away the soul of the deceased in peace.

The significant notion, in this case, is showing the close members of the loved one enough sympathy and staying by their side in this crucial time. Honouring the deceased and consoling the family members is the main aspect here.

Donate As Per Your Budget

Donating alms and money at funerals has been a part of India's culture from time immemorial. However, it is necessary to do so within limits such that it reflects humbleness and captures a sympathetic nature. It has been an act of serving tribute to the dead and creating good karma for the afterlife of the deceased person.

Donate Old Belongings of Your Loved One

It is normal for loved ones to keep the deceased person's belongings as memory tokens. However, giving these away to charity can also be considered an act of remembering. You can distribute items not often used, like clothes, furniture, tools, electronics, etc., among people who need them.

Don’ts of Funeral Donations and Gifts

While giving sympathy gifts is relevant, one should ensure that these donations and gifts are not misinterpreted. To ensure that, here are some things not to do while bringing gifts to a funeral.

Don’t Bring Expensive Gifts

The notion of gifting at a funeral comes from expressing sympathy rather than bringing sympathy gifts. On the contrary, expensive gifts usually stand as a symbol of celebration. Hence don’t spend too much money on choosing a sympathy gift.

Staying by the bereaved family during this hard time and consoling them is vital. Show your love, respect and sympathy for the deceased through funeral donations and gifts.

Don’t Bring Unsuitable Gifts

Avoid bringing gifts like tissue papers, ominous colours etc., as these often aren't recognised as sympathetic gifts. Other things like jewellery, gorgeous apparel, etc., must also be avoided as those are for joyous occasions. However, if any of the family members or the deceased person had made a wish for a specific thing, then it would be respectful to stick to that.

Don’t Bring Alcohol

Many Indian cultures prohibit bringing or drinking alcohol at funerals. It is better to avoid giving anything alcohol related as a sympathetic gift. However, since it also depends on the cultural notion, it is better to ensure beforehand whether you can or cannot bring alcohol to the funeral.

These were some of the dos' and don'ts of funeral donations and gifts to remember while picking any sympathy gift. You can also bring anything that might have been a favourite of the deceased or something that the family wished for eagerly. Apart from these, you can also look for gifts like comforting sympathy cards to help them with grieving.

FAQs About Dos’ and Don’ts of Funeral Donations and Gifts

Can I bring sweets to a funeral?

In Indian culture, sweets denote a symbol of celebration. Hence it is better to avoid bringing it to funerals.

Can I give gift vouchers instead of money for funerals?

Gift vouchers go with celebratory notions meant for gifting people during any festival or for any joyous occasion. Hence it is better to stick with donation money than giving gift vouchers.

Can I bring clothes for the deceased at a funeral?

There are several cultural meanings behind grooming the deceased with new clothes. You can also bring some for the deceased but make sure that the choice of clothing does not hurt any religious aspect of the funeral.

What should I consider before buying a sympathy gift?

Since India is a multicultural nation, different cultural notions are present in funeral rituals. Hence it is better to know and understand which kinds of gifts are considered ominous at that funeral before choosing a sympathy gift. To steer clear of any hard feelings, you can always bring a generic gift like flowers and such.

To whom should I hand the sympathy gifts?

It is respectful to hand the gifts to any family members or loved ones upon arriving at the funeral. However, if it is incense sticks or flowers, you can place those near the picture or body of the deceased and pray.

Other Important Articles about Death Support

How to Talk to Child about Death

How to Give a Memorial Speech

How to Cope With a Friend’s Death

Report a Family Member's Death at Office

What Is Grief

Ways of Coping With Death of a Pet

Ways of Showing Sympathy for a Loss

How to Help Colleague Grieving Loss

How to Get Over the Death of a Colleague

Coping with the Death of Parent

How to Support Family after Death

Dealing with Anger Stage of Grief

Process of Grieving and its Stages

How to Donate for the Deceased

Preparing your Family for your Death

How to Support a Critically Ill Spouse

How to Overcome Grief

Comforting Words for Serious Illness

Ways of Breaking Bad News to Parents

What to Do When an Account Holder Dies

Dos’ and Don’ts of Funeral Donation

Coping With the Death of Adult Child

Tips for Visiting someone in Hospice

Ways to Talk to Kids about Death

Supporting Grieving Person

How to Talk about Death with Family

Tips for Coping With Death of Spouse

Steps for Preparing for Death

Types of Grief

Child Support after the Death of Parent

Common Symptoms of Grief

How to Prepare a Memorial Service

Disclaimer

This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
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