My neighbor has died

I live in Australia and am in my late 70's. If not invited to the funeral (either by a public notice in a newspaper or by a personal invitation) I would send flowers and a sympathy card. Private funerals (declared in the newspaper) are becoming more frequent - sometimes because of few surviving relatives, or to keep costs down.
My grandparents (who lived in a small village with no phones) would stand outside as a hearse or bereaved family went by. Curtains would only be closed in the home of the deceased. They would be re-opened when the family was accepting visitors.
Clapping (to me) looks like you are pleased the person has passed.
I have few relatives or friends to attend a funeral when I die, so I have arranged a non-attended cremation with my ashes being scattered in the ocean where my late husband's ashes were scattered (a pod of dolphins came and observed).

I remember as we travelled to the crematorium for my Fathers funeral the men taking off their hats in the street. Often think about it and it is comforting - it was many years ago.

The things you are all describing used to happen here in my Nans day but not for the last at least 40 years so this is interesting
Is it down to village/town or is it down to areas and customs ?
I d be interested in hearing more
Do people come out in your area ? No one draws curtains or stands in the street here in fact I ve not even seen a hearse for years