There are basically three types of funeral ceremony customs that exist today- the funeral, committal or commitment, and memorial.
In addition, more people today plan their own unique service and therefore creating your own funeral custom.
No set rules exist to the type of funeral one can have.
Let's take a look at each of the three funeral customs in greater detail.
Funeral Service Funeral customs for a funeral service is a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present in either a closed or open casket, depending on how the bereaved family member desires.
The ceremony can be very traditional like that of religious denominations such as Catholics, Protestant, Jewish, or other faiths.
The service can also be a combination of a memorial service and traditional ceremonies.
It is generally decided by the deceased or the family members.
Sometimes the family and friends will meet in a home to discuss the memories of a loved one.
Some prefer services with songs, and readings with one or more people presenting the eulogy.
If one wishes, multiple services can be held.
For example, a service can be in an area where the deceased died and later another service can be held in his home town which may be in another state altogether.
This allows friends who grew up with the deceased to also commemorate his life.
A recent service that is offered now is a video presentation of a life remembered.
This is where a video is prepared of a biography using slides and photos of the deceased which is then presented at the funeral service and kept as a memento for the family after the service.
Committal Service Funeral customs for a committal service is a brief, optional service held at the grave site, in a chapel, or a crematory chapel.
Often this is used in combination with a funeral or memorial service and is an occasion where family and close friends gather to bid goodbye to the deceased.
This type of service generally does not run very long and may contain hymns, prayers, and a short word from the officiant.
Memorial Service Funeral customs for a memorial service is held without the body of the deceased.
If the death occurred in another location, a memorial service can be given at any location and offers the most flexibility in timing.
It does not have to take place immediately after the death occurs.
The mood of this type of service is usually a positive one with active participation from family and close friends by sharing a memory about the deceased.
Funeral customs can follow any one of the aforementioned services, a combination of the three or one that is unique for your loved one.
Since there are no set rules to funeral customs, it can be planned to the wishes of the deceased or surviving family members.
In addition, more people today plan their own unique service and therefore creating your own funeral custom.
No set rules exist to the type of funeral one can have.
Let's take a look at each of the three funeral customs in greater detail.
Funeral Service Funeral customs for a funeral service is a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present in either a closed or open casket, depending on how the bereaved family member desires.
The ceremony can be very traditional like that of religious denominations such as Catholics, Protestant, Jewish, or other faiths.
The service can also be a combination of a memorial service and traditional ceremonies.
It is generally decided by the deceased or the family members.
Sometimes the family and friends will meet in a home to discuss the memories of a loved one.
Some prefer services with songs, and readings with one or more people presenting the eulogy.
If one wishes, multiple services can be held.
For example, a service can be in an area where the deceased died and later another service can be held in his home town which may be in another state altogether.
This allows friends who grew up with the deceased to also commemorate his life.
A recent service that is offered now is a video presentation of a life remembered.
This is where a video is prepared of a biography using slides and photos of the deceased which is then presented at the funeral service and kept as a memento for the family after the service.
Committal Service Funeral customs for a committal service is a brief, optional service held at the grave site, in a chapel, or a crematory chapel.
Often this is used in combination with a funeral or memorial service and is an occasion where family and close friends gather to bid goodbye to the deceased.
This type of service generally does not run very long and may contain hymns, prayers, and a short word from the officiant.
Memorial Service Funeral customs for a memorial service is held without the body of the deceased.
If the death occurred in another location, a memorial service can be given at any location and offers the most flexibility in timing.
It does not have to take place immediately after the death occurs.
The mood of this type of service is usually a positive one with active participation from family and close friends by sharing a memory about the deceased.
Funeral customs can follow any one of the aforementioned services, a combination of the three or one that is unique for your loved one.
Since there are no set rules to funeral customs, it can be planned to the wishes of the deceased or surviving family members.
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