Several factors determine the kind of funeral service one chooses, including the location or place of residence, their faith, culture, life experiences, and the society they live in. But ultimately, the purpose of a funeral is to help family and friends acknowledge the demise and achievements of the deceased. However, planning a funeral is a lot of work, considering the various types of memorial services one needs to evaluate based on their requirements and budget.
Traditional funeral service
A traditional funeral service is one of the most common types of ceremonies following the demise of a loved one. Here, one can find a casket or urn during the ceremony, in which friends and family sing or play music in memory of the deceased. A close family member or friend may also deliver a eulogy—a funeral speech to commemorate the life of the deceased. Following the ceremony, a hearse transports the remains in the casket to the cemetery for burial. Family members may hold a short graveside service where the casket or urn is buried. Family members or loved ones may also decide to host a reception or lunch in memory of the deceased.
Graveside or committal service
At a graveside burial or committal service, the funeral is conducted near the grave. The family and friends pay their respects before the casket is lowered into the ground. The intimate ceremony is known as a committal service, as the loved ones are committing the body of the deceased back to the earth. Most graveside services are followed by a traditional funeral unless it is the only service picked by the family.
Memorial service
Memorial services are similar to traditional funerals. The primary difference here is the lack of a casketed body. Families may choose to present the cremated remains in an urn. With this type of service, family members do not have to conduct the funeral within a fixed time following the loss. They can choose to host the service a day after interment or inurnment, a year later, or whenever they want. The service does not focus on the remains of the individual but on their memory.
Direct burial
This service is usually for families who wish to bury their loved ones without a funeral or formal service. Direct burials also do not call for visitation or graveside service. They involve burying the casket in the presence of the immediate family. Direct burials are an affordable and simple option for families who want to have the deceased laid to rest in a cemetery. It is also preferred by families who do not live near the deceased.
Celebration of life
The celebration of life is a unique ceremony. While family members can combine it with traditional funeral, the celebration of life can be conducted days, weeks, or years after the funeral. The remains are usually not a part of the service, but this is determined by the family’s preferences. The celebration of life is a personalized event that may include dancing, food, and happy memories shared by loved ones to honor the deceased.
Wake
Wakes are usually held before the funeral services. While the ceremony was traditionally initiated in the family home, today, funeral homes offer their premises for wakes. During this ceremony, close family and friends gather to comfort one another and pay their final respects to the deceased. Further, the body of the loved one may or may not be present. Wakes are also known as viewings, but at the latter, the remains are usually placed for the attendees to see.
Cost of a funeral
Funeral services can be emotional and challenging. But, it is important for the people planning the funeral to set a budget. The national average cost for a funeral with a viewing and burial is about $8,000, while a funeral service and cremation may cost about $1,000 less. However, the cost may differ based on the state (location) and the additional services they choose for the ceremony. One should consider several kinds of expenses involved in a funeral. These include the funeral ceremony fee, facilities and staff that manage viewings and the ceremony, and the cost of the casket or the urn. One should also account for the cost of cremation, the urn, the transfer of remains, embalming, and other services. Other costs may include the fee for renting the hearse and arranging flowers and headstones.
As funerals can be expensive, one might be better off purchasing a life insurance policy. If the monthly premiums have been paid on time, the policy beneficiaries should receive financial compensation as a death benefit after the policyholder dies. The beneficiaries can utilize this payout to arrange the funeral and cover outstanding debts, helping ease the financial burden.