Losing a loved one is always an emotional ordeal, but funeral services allow family and friends to honor the departed and support one another. These ceremonies, however, can seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve never attended or planned one. This brief guide to funeral planning is offered to help you consider some of the ways people celebrate the lives of their lost loved ones. 

What Happens During a Funeral Service?

A viewing or visitation usually precedes the ceremony. During a visitation, friends, relatives, and the community gather with the bereaved with the casket on display. At a viewing, the casket is typically open – but the decision is a matter of family choice.  Many times viewings also include pictures, videos tributes and mementos of the deceased. Afterward, the funeral will occur at the funeral home or a church. The order of the service will differ based on the family's wishes or the religious preferences of the deceased. Most funerals, though, include prayer, scripture readings, music, and a eulogy.

After the service, guests usually proceed to the cemetery following the casket, which a hearse will transport. There, loved ones or a clergy member may speak a few words and deceased veterans will be accorded military honors. Following the graveside service, friends and family often go to a reception to spend time with each other.

How Is Cremation Service Different?

Families choosing cremation can still have a full funeral with a visitation or viewing. There may or may not be a graveside ceremony depending on the family’s choices regarding the final resting place of their loved one. For instance, they may choose inurnment in a cemetery, or they may decide to keep the ashes on display in an urn inside their home or scatter them at a location that holds significant meaning.

What About a Memorial Service?

Memorial services usually occur when the remains of a loved one are not present, and they can take place days, weeks, or even months after someone has passed away. The purpose of these services is for family and friends to gather and celebrate the life of their loved one. The event may or may not be in a a church or funeral home, and it can be fully personalized in any way that best honors the life of the departed.

If you need help planning a funeral service for your loved one, turn to the compassionate staff at Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service. This funeral home based in Newark, OH, has helped families say goodbye to their loved ones for over 100 years. Their knowledgeable funeral directors will walk you through each step of the planning process for the funeral, cremation, or memorial service. Schedule your appointment with one of their caring directors by calling (740) 345-9864 or visit them online today for more information about their services.