If you haven't attended a traditional funeral service in the past, you likely have some questions regarding the process and what you should expect. While there are a handful of variations on the tradition — each with their own unique additions and flourishes — you will find many services adhere to a similar standard. Whether you have a loved one's funeral on the horizon or are pre-planning your own services, this guide will shed light on the days ahead.

A Guide to Traditional Funeral Services

Visitation or Viewing

Traditional funerals often consist of a series of events, typically starting with a visitation or viewing. Visitations give friends, extended family, and other members of the community an opportunity to come together before the funeral to spend time with the bereaved at the funeral home with either an open or closed casket in the room. In the case of viewings, however, the casket is always open. Timelines will differ depending on the family's preference, but these occasions often take place the day before the funeral service is scheduled.

Funeral & Burial Services

The funeral itself is typically held at the church the deceased attended or in the chapel of the funeral home. A welcome and introduction will be followed by prayers or scripture readings with some families opting for the inclusion of hymns or other musical selections. If a eulogy has been prepared, the selected individual will read it, and a moment of silence may follow. Throughout all of this, surrounded by floral tributes, the casket is the centerpiece. If the casket is open, the services will end with a viewing and closing.

For instances in which a burial is involved, the casket will be transported to the hearse after the primary funeral services. Guests follow the hearse to the cemetery in a traditional funeral procession — after which a brief committal service will take place. Traditional prayers are often read during the burial, and a reception at the funeral home or the home of family members may occur after.

Dealing with loss and planning funeral services is never easy, but you can relieve some of the stress with the help of your local funeral home. Residents in Middletown, NY, have been seeking the assistance of Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Inc. Funeral Home for over 100 years. They take pride in providing a comfortable environment for all involved, and their staff will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about the process. Visit their website for more information about the home, and give them a call at (845) 343-2142.