Funeral and memorial services play a vital role in the grieving process following the loss of a loved one. These services provide a way to come to terms with our loss. It is also an opportunity to receive support from, as well as to provide support to friends and family.

Some may not have had this experience yet, or are now experiencing it for the first time. If this is the case, one may not know what to expect at these types of services, or what will take place. There are many, many diverse cultures, traditions, and religions; and there are just as many types of funeral and memorial services. Every memorial service is as unique as the individual it is meant to remember.

Visitation The visitation is most commonly held at the funeral home, or, less commonly, at a family-member’s residence. Sometimes called a “viewing” or a “wake”, the visitation is meant to give the friends and family of the deceased an opportunity to meet and gather to support one another. The visitation is most normally held either the day before the funeral, or a few days before and is held for a few hours. It is not uncommon to have multiple visitations during the week of the funeral. Sometimes, a visitation will be held for a couple hours, then a break for dinner, etc, and then held for a couple more hours.

Funeral/Memorial Service As mentioned earlier, there are many various types of funeral and memorial services. This is where the deceased’s background, religion, culture, and personal traits come into play most predominantly. Typically, most cultures and religions in the United States will hold the funeral services in the funeral home, or at a church, synagogue, etc. Sometimes, the funeral services will be held firstly at the funeral home, and then moved to the church. After the memorial, the attendees will drive in procession to the cemetery or burial site, although this is not always performed.

Burial Service Sometimes the graveside service, or interment, is all that is performed, with the memorial service included. Other times, the bereaved will arrive at the burial site after the funeral service. In either case, this is where the final service is performed, and there is a final service, prayer, and/or military honor, etc. Afterward, the deceased is interred, or the ashes are scattered, or are given to the family.