Traditional Funeral Services
The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services
A traditional funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service
or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time. Regardless of your intentions, we would be honored to provide a dignified funeral service for your loved one.
If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to call us
to begin.
What is a Funeral?
What exactly is a funeral? By definition, it is the ceremony or celebration of the life of a deceased. In the United States, funeral services are typically held within one or two days following the death. A funeral is a memorial service for an individual held in honor for a period of time. Burial services
are offered for a number of different reasons. In some cases the family desires to hold a memorial service for the dearly departed before the burial.
On the other hand, what is a final disposition? A final disposition is the permanent grave where the remains of the deceased are placed following their death. Some states have laws allowing for a public viewing of the deceased's body. This is the most common form of funeral service. The family can choose to have a final disposition or opt for a cremation.
A funeral service is the official closing event prior to the commencement of the burial service. It can last from one to three hours. The funeral service is usually conducted by a member of the clergy. Funeral homes generally conduct the actual funeral service.
What Makes a Funeral?
No matter where it's held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, and is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.
Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past, and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors—the immediate family most especially—has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral—no matter where, no matter when—lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.
Funeral Services in Beacon, NY
For families and individuals living in Beacon (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service
and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Call
to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.
Source:
- Rostad, Curtis, "The Basics of Funeral Service", Indiana Funeral Directors Association, 2014
- Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979
