Which is more important: attend funeral or visit the bereaved?

Personal contact with the family. No doubt visiting them personally.

Funerals are always so formal and busy for the family.

They'll have more time for you, and you for them by visiting with them face to face instead of having only 30 seconds in public.

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I'm not sure why you asked an "either/or" question. I am going to assume that you cannot do both. The best way to honor the decedent and support the family is to attend the funeral. However, that is really not the place to "visit" with the family. If you decide to go to the funeral: sign the register book, give the sympathy card to the Funeral Director. If the dismissal includes passing by the family, you can hug them, but don't expect an extended visit. They will be grateful that you came. Visiting the family at home during this time may be stressful on the family. They aren't sleeping, aren't eating, dealing with grief and trying to put on a brave face. If you go to their home, bring them some food (not a plant-it's one more thing they have to take care of) and don't stay long. What may be better if you want time to visit, is to drop by a week or so after the funeral when things may have settled down a bit for them. The first year of holidays without their loved one is difficult, too. You can always call them and let them know you're thinking of them.

I think attending the funeral is to honor the deceased and comfort the bereaved. You can visit later but I think it depends on your relationship with the family.

The purpose of visiting the family at (someone's) house is to help them with their recent loss.

If you knew them well , i would attend the funeral as a mark of respect and to support the family through a difficult time .

If you can, go to both. If you can only pick one, go to the bereavement. The main thing here is to comfort the family.

visit. Especailly if there is a visitation at the funeral home. They are so painful. You want to see anyone - especially people from other walks of life - work, church etc. anyone is so welcome to bring some outside world into the inner pain. Funerals are for the inner pain.

It depends on the culture of the deceased's family and how close your relationship was to them and/or the deceased.