Types Of Funeral Arrangements
There are different types of funeral events to acknowledge and celebrate the life of a loved one. Engaging a funeral home can help ease the funeral arrangement through meaningful funeral ceremonies. So what are the different types of funeral ceremonies?
Traditional Funeral Service
A traditional funeral service is the most common type of funeral ceremony. Typically, the casket or the urn is present during the traditional funeral service. The family and friends gather at the ceremony and deliver tributes and eulogies in memory of the deceased. Most traditional funeral services are religious and involve singing hymns and a sermon. Then, the hearse transports the body to a crematory for cremation or the cemetery for burial. The family may host a reception after the service.
Graveside Service
A graveside service is also known as a committal service. This funeral service takes place at the cemetery. Thus, the family and friends gather next to the grave to pay their final respect before the burial. Although most graveside services follow a traditional funeral, the family may only opt for this ceremony. Typically, the funeral arrangement requires the presence of a pastor for the benediction. In the absence of the clergy, the funeral director may also lead the short committal rituals. Notably, a graveside service may also occur in a cremation funeral where the ashes get buried.
Direct Burial or Cremation
The family may also opt for a direct burial arrangement as an easy and cheap option. There is no visitation, funeral, or graveside service in a direct burial. Instead, the funeral home prepares the burial permits and buries the casket in the presence of the immediate family. Likewise, direct cremation is a stand-alone ceremony. Usually, the funeral home undertakes the cremation without organizing other funeral services and returns the ashes to the family. However, the family may decide to organize a memorial after a direct burial or cremation.
Memorial Service
A memorial service is the most common type of funeral ceremony. Typically, a memorial ceremony follows the same script as a traditional funeral service. The only distinction is that the body is not present at a memorial service. Usually, this event may take place before the funeral or afterward, sometimes even years after. In the case of a memorial service involving cremation, the remains may be present in an urn if the family desires. Notably, the memorial service is the most dynamic funeral ceremony. Thus, a funeral home can customize the funeral arrangement services to celebrate life uniquely.
Wake and Viewing
The wake service takes place just before the funeral. Essentially, family and friends gather for a wake to comfort each other and pay their final respects. Thus, the wake happens at home or the funeral home. The body may or may not be present during a wake. In comparison, mourners gather at a viewing to see the body in an open casket. This ceremony takes place at a funeral home. Usually, the body undergoes embalming before the viewing ceremony.
Regardless of the type of event, a funeral arrangement is a lot of work. With the help of a funeral home, such as T.A. Brown Funeral Home Limited, you can create a ceremony that would most honor the life of your loved one.
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