Understanding The Different Types Of Funerals & The Advantages

Planning a funeral can be an overwhelming experience for all those involved. The act of putting your loved ones to rest is emotionally draining and there are many decisions that need to be make on their behalf. When you are grieving it can be difficult to think clearly, so it is important to know and understand the types of funerals ahead of time. Here is a list of some of the most common funerals and  the advantages of each.

Traditional Funeral With Viewing

The traditional funeral is the common type of funeral and consists of a visitation, funeral service, and  service at the cemetery where the body is finally laid to rest. The visitation offers the family and friends a chance to say their last goodbyes to the deceased. The visitation can be open or closed casket, which usually depends on the state of the body at the time the loved one passed and if the body is in good enough condition to be displayed to the public. The service is generally officiated by a preacher or community figure where they share fond memories of the deceased and talk about their life. Afterwards the body is taken to the cemetery and buried with a short service where they are committed to their final resting place.

Direct Burial

These particular types of funerals are typically done for smaller funerals where there are not many friends of family. There is not viewing of the deceased for people to pay their respects, but they are taken straight to the cemetery. More often than not, there is a small service where friends and family give a eulogy for the deceased before they are lowered into the ground. The cost of this type of funeral is drastically less expensive than the traditional funeral, which is ideal if the deceased does not have coverage for their funeral expenses or they do not want a large service. In this case the expenses are limited to the care for the body, transportation, casket, and grave site.

Straight Cremation

If the deceased does not want to be buried in a cemetery, and they do not wish to have a service, they can choose to go straight to cremation. There is no visitation, viewing or service of any kind, and the body is picked up and incinerated shortly after death. This is one of the least expensive types of funeral that you can have done, as the consumer only pays for the cost of the cremation, an urn if they wish to keep the ashes, or a grave site if the ashes are to be buried. Another common thing with this particular type of funeral is for the family to take the ashes and then spread then at location where they shared good memories of the deceased.

When planning any funeral it is best to sit down with a professional funeral home director who can talk you through all the available options and help you pick the one that works for you or your loved one.

About Me

Honoring Your Loved Ones

When someone that you love passes away, it can be hard to cope with the new normal. Before you can get on with the rest of your life, you need to plan a memorial service, which can be emotionally challenging. However, if you work with the right funeral home and know what you want, you you might be able to streamline the process. I have had several family members pass on, and I am somewhat of a funeral enthusiast. This blog is all about helping you to honor your loved ones by talking about what different funeral homes have to offer.

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