Should I go to this funeral?

[Bernadine]

I never know, but I'm thinking yes.

My boss' mother died, the funeral is tomorrow.  Viewing two hours prior to the funeral.  I should stay for the service, right?  I work pretty closely with my boss, we have a good relationship, if that matters.

[knx9211]

I would definitely go for the viewing. Usually we don't have viewings right before funerals, so I don't end up at the actual service. But if you can, I might stay.

[revolution]

I think there are a lot of factors in this.

Going to the viewing, yes, that I think you should. The service, I wouldn't know what to tell you.

For my dad, I had a lot of co-workers/boss/VP's show up to his viewing. I appreciated that and it meant a ton to me. My boss did handle passing on the request of no coworkers at the service though. For me, the service was too personal. I was giving the eulogy and I just didn't want to share me speaking and crying to people I work with/for.

[shamrockshake]

you should go to at least one of them, I don't know if you need to go to both. I went to the service when my bosses mom passed away, I could not get to the viewing

[cleo29]

I would go to the viewing.

My family found it to be really touching when many of my uncle's co-worker came to my Gram's viewing. It was a wonderful show of support for him.

[Eagles]

I would go to the viewing, but I only attend the funeral mass/service for family and close friends.

[circa1978]

I did. A VP with whom I work closely's mother died late last year. I attended the funeral Mass and made a donation in her mother's name. I also consider that VP a friend and her "work family" is very important to her, so many, many people also went to the viewing.

[janegold]

I think it's totally up to you and either way is fine, but I personally would probably go to the viewing but not the service.

[ECB]

Ditto - go to the viewing. I don't feel it's necessary to go to the service.

[ECB]

And keep in mind, going to the viewing is usually relatively brief. You go, talk to your boss (if you can), if you know anyone else, I'd probably chat with them. But then it's fine to leave. When I've gone to JUST the viewing, I'm usually there for maybe 30 mins total.

[blondemoment123]

Just go to the viewing.

[dexteroni]

I would just go to the viewing, but it's fine to stay for the service if a lot of other people do. But if, at the end of the viewing, you realize the only people left are a small group of family, then I would make my exit. And if you do stay for the service, and there's a procession afterward to a burial site, definitely don't go to that. That really is just for close family and friends.

[somersault72]

I would just go to the viewing.

[lilafowler]

Boeing.

[cabbagecabbage]

I'd just attend the viewing. I feel like the viewing is to show respect or to offer condolences for the living and the service is for those who really loved the deceased.

[rbp]

Yes--when my boss's mom died, I went to her funeral. (There was also some pressure from coworkers as they were all attending and I didn't want to be an asshole haha.) I think that supporting survivors is an important component of funerals, even if you didn't know the deceased. So I would go if you can swing it. 

[karenj]

I would do the viewing not the funeral.

[cuddlyevil]

Definitely go to the viewing.