Loving life goes hand in hand with accepting its end. Funerals are integral to this way of thinking, as they celebrate the deceased’s milestones while coming to terms with his or her passing. Resolution is crucial in times of bereavement, and conducting a decent ceremony is one of the best ways to find that resolution.
Specific customs depend on culture. Jewish funeral services Brooklyn NY wash the body in a ritual bath called a mikvah, while some Buddhist funerals consist of walking with sticks to express grief. However, there are many overarching themes that funerals tend to follow, regardless of religion or nationality.
Wake
A wake often precludes the main funeral service. Relatives and friends of family come to show their respects to the casketed body. The casket is sometimes open and sometimes closed, depending on the family’s wishes.
Funeral Service
A funeral service is a concerted event where everyone gathers in a place of worship, funeral home, or graveside. Passages and hymns are usually read aloud, music is performed, and a eulogy is given.
Committal Service
In most cases, a committal service follows directly after the funeral service. If the family elects to have their loved one buried, this is the stage where the casket is lowered into the vault. If cremation is chosen instead, the committal could simply be when the casket is last seen by the public at the end of the funeral. Sometimes the committal service is held after the cremation, where the urn is set up on a table and adorned with flowers, pictures, and other memorabilia.
Not only do funeral services allow us to pay our respects to those we lost, but it also has the power to strengthen a community. Celebrating a person’s significance can provide a positive charge for everyone involved. It can encourage people to take inspiration from the deceased, appreciate eachother more, and not take life for granted.
