When you lose someone you love, there are lots of ways to put them to rest, but many people aren’t sure what the differences are. That’s why here, the funeral service specialists at West Virginia’s Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home outline some of the most common types of services and what they usually entail.

Traditional Funeral Services

A traditional, full-service funeral often takes place in a church or temple. This type of funeral tends to be very formal and follows a rigid structure, depending on the faith of the deceased. Often it includes readings from holy books, words from a priest or other religious leader, and religious ceremonies such as the taking of communion.

Graveside Service

This type of funeral service is similar in many ways to a traditional service, except that it takes place at the grave of the deceased instead of in a church or a temple. Since you need the weather to cooperate, planning a graveside service is tricky, but it can feel meaningful for loved ones to gather at the site where the body will rest. Some graveside services happen in addition to a formal funeral. They can be private or public, depending on the wishes of the family and their lost loved one.

Memorial Service

Usually taking place after the deceased has been cremated, a memorial service is focused on sharing memories of the person who has been lost. Common features of memorial services include prayer, music, and rituals like candle lighting. A memorial service is flexible because it can happen almost anywhere; some families get creative by holding it in one of the favorite places of the deceased.

Ash Scattering

Usually a service reserved for close family and friends, ash scatterings come with certain practical considerations. The wind can be a concern, as can waves and currents if the remains will be scattered near an ocean or another body of water. Some families take turns scattering ashes so that several members can contribute.

If you’ve lost someone you love, enlist the help of a compassionate, professional funeral home on your side. The funeral service specialists at the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home have faithfully served Jefferson and Berkeley counties since the 1800’s with funeral planning and arrangements. Give them a call at (304) 725-7068, and visit them online for more information on the history of the family-owned funeral home.