I was there for a total of five minutes. I was only close with about two or three people there, so I knew how to talk to them, but talking to the rest of the family was extremely nerve-wracking. At the visitation there was an open casket and it was the first time I'd ever seen a dead body, which was horrifying. 

As soon as I saw this man I didn't even know lying in some box, like an empty vessel, I had adrenaline and anxiousness pulsing through my body. My head was still spinning about life, death, and trying to put it all in the perspective of my belief system.

Before I could calm down I had to make my way and give my condolences to the family. 

The first person I had to speak to was the widow. I asked her, "How are you today?" 

Fuck.

She was literally on the verge of tears and couldn't even smile.

*How the do you think she was feeling, you idiot?*

She didn't even speak when I asked her. Just nodded politely and mustered a pleasant facial expression. 

Major face-palm - moved on to the next person as fast as possible. The whole line went on for about seven more people, to whom I had no idea how to talk to.

All I can think about is how much I probably upset this woman. She was married to him (from what I overheard) for over 40 years.
user
Saw dead body at visitation. Tried to ask the widow how she was feeling, but she was too shaken up to respond. She didn't even
assistant
I was there for a total of five minutes. I was only close with about two or three people there, so I knew how to talk to them, but talking to the rest of the family was extremely nerve-wracking. At the visitation there was an open casket and it was the first time I'd ever seen a dead body, which was horrifying. 

As soon as I saw this man I didn't even know lying in some box, like an empty vessel, I had adrenaline and anxiousness pulsing through my body. My head was still spinning about life, death, and trying to put it all in the perspective of my belief system.

Before I could calm down I had to make my way and give my condolences to the family. 

The first person I had to speak to was the widow. I asked her, "How are you today?" 

Fuck.

She was literally on the verge of tears and couldn't even smile.

*How the do you think she was feeling, you idiot?*

She didn't even speak when I asked her. Just nodded politely and mustered a pleasant facial expression. 

Major face-palm - moved on to the next person as fast as possible. The whole line went on for about seven more people, to whom I had no idea how to talk to.

All I can think about is how much I probably upset this woman. She was married to him (from what I overheard) for over 40 years.
user
Went to visitation, saw dead body, had to talk to and console the family. Not sure if I upset the widow.
assistant