12/11/2025
Funeral Etiquette: Understanding Reserved Family Seating
At T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home, honoring the family is one of the most sacred parts of every service. One key area of respect is understanding the purpose and protocol of reserved family seating.
Reserved seating is designated specifically for the immediate family so they may sit together, process in with dignity, and receive the support they need during the service. This area is not open to guests, even if you arrive early, because the family must have a unified space for the processional and for their moment of collective reflection.
✨ A Few Gentle Reminders:
• Reserved seating is for immediate family only. Guests should not occupy these seats at any time.
• These seats must remain open so the family can process in together, maintaining the dignity, flow, and order of the ceremony.
• If you arrive early, please choose general guest seating instead of the reserved pews.
• As an alternative, you may kindly wait in the lobby or vestibule until the family arrives and the processional begins.
• Educating our community about funeral seating etiquette helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures every service remains respectful and centered on the grieving family.
Showing consideration in these small ways upholds the dignity of the service and reflects the compassion we extend to every family we serve.
Funeral Etiquette matters. Your kindness, awareness, and respect help create the peaceful environment every family deserves.