Funeral arrangements should reflect on the belief system of the deceased. When someone you care about passes, their service should coincide with the religion they followed, or in the case of a non-religious person, honor them and include what they held dear. Outlined are five common funeral services in the United States to keep in mind if you are planning or attending a funeral.

Common Funeral Services

1. Catholic

With the afterlife as a critical component, Catholic funeral arrangements emphasize the soul’s passage from Earth to Heaven. There is a full mass as well as several rites and prayers focused on the soul of the deceased. With forgiveness and mourners asking God for penance, the soul will pass onto Heaven. The priest conducts the service by way of music, prayer, and scripture readings, and there is usually no eulogy at the church.

2. Christian

Christianity believes that the soul will move into the afterlife after the body dies, making a key element of Christian services prayers and discussions about life in Heaven. Usually the deceased is commemorated before asking God to accept them into the next plane. There is also comfort for the living and hope for a future without sin. Funeral arrangements are usually in a church and conducted by a minister or priest.

3. Islamic

Similar to Christianity, death is a transition to an afterlife in Islam. Prayers to Allah (God) for mercy are important and typically performed as a community. Burial must take place very quickly, so unlike other religions, there is no viewing or visitation, and there is typically a closed casket. It is against Islam to cremate bodies.

4. Jewish

Typical Jewish funerals don’t include a viewing, and the casket made from natural materials is closed. Burial should take place within 24 hours of death based on the beliefs laid out in the Torah, although present-day ceremonies adhere to doing it as soon as possible. They are also never on the Sabbath or holidays. Music and flowers are not usually allowed, and there’s also no embalming so the body can return to the earth.

5. Non-Religious

If the deceased didn’t practice a religion, funeral arrangements can be formatted to the person’s wishes or those of their family. The ceremony is designed to honor the loved one who has died without connecting it to any particular rituals. Non-religious services may still include eulogies, viewings, readings, music, and other elements similar to those in religious ones.

If you need help planning and conducting a funeral service, Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals, located in Keansburg, NJ, since 1947, provides compassionate services for families who need to plan funeral arrangements for a loved one. Their professional staff also offers funeral pre-planning as well as cremation services to help you organize a service fit for you and your family’s beliefs. To contact the funeral home, call (732) 787-1177. Visit their website or follow them on Facebook for more.