There are many difficult decisions that need to be made throughout the funeral planning process. One of these is choosing between having an open or closed casket. There are many factors to consider, and it’s important to think about the well-being and wishes of everyone involved. Here are a few points to help guide your decision.

When to Choose an Open Casket

Open caskets allow funeral attendees to view the deceased. This can help provide some closure and also give people the opportunity to say a proper goodbye. It also allows people to view their loved one with their hair and makeup done, and often with a lovely outfit chosen by the family. This can be especially helpful if the person dealt with a long battle with cancer or another disease that impacted their appearance. Seeing them made-up could restore some of the happy memories friends and family had with the person throughout their life.

When to Choose a Closed Casket

Some families opt for closed caskets due to religious beliefs or personal preferences. Judaism and Islam are two religions that traditionally do not hold funeral viewings, but many faiths leave the choice between an open and closed casket up to the family. It’s also important to consider the wishes of the deceased. If they shared their preference for a closed casket or if you believe that would be their preference, honor that. Finally, the condition of the body should be taken into account. If you don’t believe an open casket would bring back happy, positive memories for those grieving, then it may be best to opt for a closed casket.

A professional and caring funeral home can help you walk through the process of choosing a casket and other details of the service. For more than 75 years, families throughout McDonough, GA, have turned to Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors for their compassionate, dependable services. You’ll work with one funeral director throughout the entire process, and they can help you customize a funeral service in a way that best honors your loved one. They offer free consultations for grieving families and for those who are interested in funeral pre-planning. To request more information, call (770) 914-1414 or contact the team online.