When a loved one or close friend passes away, it can be a disorienting and challenging time for all who knew them. Having a sense of what you might expect at a traditional funeral service can help make the time a little easier to manage. Here’s what you are likely to see at a funeral service.

Visitation

It’s customary for a traditional funeral service to begin with a visitation. In Catholic ceremonies, this ritual is known as a wake, though there are many different incarnations. Across many religions and cultures, it’s common to have a viewing ceremony where visitors can come before the closed casket or the displayed body and pay their respects to the deceased. 

Service

Generally, a funeral or memorial service might include a eulogy and readings by close family or friends. Depending on the faith, there may also be a blessing or prayer recital. After the conclusion of the service, mourners will visit the gravesite as the deceased is buried. In some cases, guests will add a scoop of dirt to the grave or leave a flower or other ceremonial item. 

Reception

Once the rituals are complete, attendees will gather afterward to continue paying their respects. Sometimes, the reception occurs in a house of worship like a church, while it might also be located in the home of the family or a restaurant. This is a time for the grieving community to come together, reminisce about the life of the lost loved one, and support friends and family. 

If you’re looking to plan a traditional funeral service for a loved one, it’s helpful to have the assistance of an experienced funeral home. Robert W. Waid Funeral Home in Meadville, PA, has been providing elegant funeral arrangements for over a century. Whether you need help with an obituary or are trying to plan a meaningful memorial service, call (814) 724-1021. Learn more about the funeral home by visiting their website.