Types of Funeral Services
Each culture and religious belief defines a funeral a little differently. Today, we commemorate a death in a several different ways.
- Traditional Funeral Services
These services typically include:
- One or more "visitations" where the mourners gather, with the body present in an open or closed casket, to express condolences. More ...
- A service to commemorate the life of the deceased with the body present in an open or closed casket. More ...
- A procession to the cemetery where additional ceremonies may take place and the deceased is buried.
- Memorial Services
Memorial Services commemorate the life of the deceased without the body present. They are usually following burial or cremation, or if the body has not been recovered (e.g., lost at sea).
- Combined Traditional and Memorial Services
Both types of services — a visitation and a service with the body present, as well as one or more memorial services without the body present — can be arranged to commemorate one life. For example, memorial services can be held for mourners living in other cities or to honor a public figure for whom a private service was held.
- Graveside Services
Sometimes commemorative services are held at the cemetery, either in a chapel or beside the grave, immediately prior to burial.
- Non-commemorative Funerals
Also known as "direct" dispositions, non-commemorative funerals are when the deceased is buried, cremated, or donated to medical science without any formal service to remember the life that has passed.
Visitation (Wake)
Visitation periods (or "wake") have their roots in ancient times when it was customary to watch over the deceased for varying lengths of time before burial. The custom of continuously watching arose because there was hope that the deceased might regain consciousness, as well as concern about someone being buried alive. The practice also fulfilled a psychological need by gradually conditioning family and friends to the reality of the death.
Today, visitations are typically held at a funeral home that provides the facilities, seating and staff to accomodate a viewing and a gathering of people. During visiting hours, mourners come to offer their condolences to the family and pay their respects to the deceased. The casket may be open or closed and is usually displayed with floral arrangements that have been received and memorial presentations, if any.
The number and length of visitation periods varies depending upon religious or cultural customs and personal preference. A typical visitation of 2 to 4 hours can be held prior to the funeral on the same day or the day before. Full day visitations can also be held one or more days preceding the funeral.
There are differing views on the role of an open casket. Many feel it is an unbecoming and uncomfortable practice, prefering to remember the deceased as he or she was in life, not in death. However, many experts on grief and mourning beli...
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