A funeral service celebrates the life of a deceased individual in a loving and respectful way. While they can differ based on spiritual beliefs or culture, many traditional services have certain elements in common. Whether you’re involved in the funeral planning process or will be attending a service, the following guide explains what you can expect to encounter. 

A Guide to Traditional Funeral Service Elements 

The Visitation or Viewing

Visitations or viewings are often held at funeral homes. They can also be held in churches, or at the homes of family members. During visitation, the body is usually present. Depending on the wishes of the deceased and the family this can involve an open or closed casket. The visitation usually takes place the day before the actual funeral to allow mourners time with the family of the deceased.

The Eulogy

Eulogies are important components of funeral services. A family member of the deceased, a priest or other clergy member, or a beloved friend will give a speech exemplifying the person’s life. Some eulogies recall humorous memories of the deceased, while others are somber and restrained. The person giving the speech will decide on a theme or meaning. In some cases, there can be multiple eulogies, or guests may replace the eulogies with readings from scriptures or other texts that held meaning for the deceased. 

The Committal Service

This is the portion of the funeral during which the deceased is placed in their final resting place. Depending on where the remains are being laid to rest, this can take place at the graveside or within a mausoleum, which is a structure designed to house multiple tombs. The committal service can also take place at a crematorium if the body is being cremated. If the deceased is religious, a prayer may be read, but other secular readings can also be chosen as appropriate.

The compassionate professionals at Adzima Funeral Home strive to make the planning of a funeral service as simple as possible. They’ll guide you through each of the above steps, while also helping you choose a fitting and affordable funeral package, write the obituary, schedule the service, and decide on the final disposition. They’re available 24/7 to answer your questions. They even offer pre-planning arrangements to take the burden off your family. If you’d like more information on this Stratford, CT, funeral home, call (203) 375-2200. Read more about their century of service by visiting the website.