When someone in the family passes away, it can have instant and lasting negative impacts on the minds of those close to the deceased. While most of what happens after is beyond our control, there are some aspects we can control. One of those controllable aspects is the funeral service itself.
The seemingly routine act of a funeral is anything but that because it provides us with a sense of closure. Painful as it still is, this simple act of paying one’s last respects to the deceased and saying goodbye can and often does make it easier for friends and family members to get through the grieving process. With that perspective in mind, here are three different funeral services to choose from, depending on the surrounding circumstances of the death.
Traditional
A traditional funeral service is usually what most of us know as a funeral service in general. It is held inside a funeral home which everyone who wishes to pay their last respect to the deceased may attend. Depending on certain minute alterations, it might also be called a wake. The body may or may not be present inside the funeral home in a casket, depending on the deceased’s last wish, or the wishes of his/her surviving family members.
In traditional funeral ceremonies, there is usually one or more eulogies given by friends/family members in good memory of the deceased person. A priest is present at the ceremony as well to provide a sermon and read the last rites. If the body has been cremated already, then an urn containing the ashes is placed on a podium in easy view of everyone. If someone in your family or someone close to you has passed away in Ottawa recently, it is best that you contact the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa. Planning a funeral service with them is easy, affordable, and less stressful for the whole family. Along with arranging for traditional funeral services of all types, the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa is also equipped to safely handle anyone who has died from covid-19.
Committal
More commonly known as a graveside service, a committal is also a traditional funeral ceremony, but it is not as common nowadays as it used to be once. The only difference between a traditional and a committal funeral is the location. Just like the name suggests, the service is held right inside the graveyard/cemetery and beside the open grave. As the casket is lowered slowly into the grave, the priest reads his last lines of the final rites, and the people present throw in a handful of dirt on the casket. The rest of it is quite identical to what was already detailed above. However, there is no room for cremations or urns here for obvious reasons.
Direct Burial
Families that want to bury a deceased loved one but do not want a conventional service frequently select the direct burial option. There is no graveside service or memorialization in a direct burial. Simply said, the body is committed to the ground. The mourners and loved ones can plan their own private tribute and grieve whatever they like with this form of funeral.
Full-Service Cremation
A funeral service, a basic cremation service, and viewing or visitation with the body are all included in a full-service cremation. Usually, the body will be embalmed while there is a viewing. The cremated remains are placed in an urn, which the family may keep as a memento or just keep above or below ground.
For those wondering, if the casket is open during the ceremony, it is called a viewing or a visitation. Both graveside and funeral home services can allow for an open-casket ceremony, provided that the deceased did not wish against it and the family members want a visitation service. It may not be viable under certain circumstances, depending on the cause of death.
Memorial
Post a direct burial or a direct cremation, a memorial service is generally held at the deceased’s house or inside a church. There might be other provisions made for the same as well, but those two places are the common choices. The idea remains the same as a traditional funeral service, complete with a eulogy and a sermon, but no body is usually present at a memorial. The urn may or may not be present though if the body was cremated.
Conclusion
Sadly, planning a funeral is necessary when a loved one passes away. There are numerous things you need to ask yourself. Funeral services come in a variety of forms, and we want you to be aware of them all. Your choice of specific service is influenced by a number of circumstances such as the cause of death, the deceased’s last wish, or the decision of the surviving family. It is difficult to make a decision if you are unaware of all of your possibilities. That is why, in order to aid you in these challenging times, we have written this article.