There are 3 types of funeral ceremonies

When it comes to planning a funeral ceremony there are 3 types of funeral ceremonies but most people would not know them. There is something about the subject of death and funerals where people tend to turn off and not discuss the subject.

Death is the final ‘milestone’ in a life but most of us want to hurry and not think too much about the event. We want to deal with our loss in the comfort of our own choices. Whether that be in our house, or another country, or in a professional health setting, and even by turning to a vice. The coping mechanisms are endless.

So when it comes to picking a funeral most of us walk into a funeral home and usually within an hour the following happens. Questions and answers are exchanged, signatures are signed, pin numbers are entered and off we go. We don’t really understanding or know what awaits our loved one and how it will ultimately impact us in the future.

Why funeral ceremonies are important

So where am l going with this? Carefully planning the type of funeral one wishes to give or have is actually very important. Why?  Because it will be a memory that will stay with us until our own time of passing. For most of us, it is a memory that imprints on our brain because a funeral symbolises closure. Many of us may remember members of the public who are suffering from the loss of a missing person often say.”I need closure, l need to know where they are and what happened to them” and sadly if the missing person is found deceased the response is often similar. “We now have closure.” Why is this?

As much as people dread attending or planning a funeral it is very important in the process of closure and moving on. The witnessing and first-hand knowledge of where a loved one is, what they are in, what they look like, where they are going, names being read, thoughts being exchanged all brings us a strange sense of comfort and acceptance of death. It enables us to start a new chapter in the absence of a loved one.

The decision not to have an unattended funeral

For this reason, I’m not a strong advocate for unattended funerals. In most unattended funerals the last time a person sees the deceased is when they are taken away to the morgue in a mortuary vehicle. It is fast, it is quick and there is little time to fully comprehend, see and understand what has just happened.

The way we part with death is a subjective topic and many would agree and many would disagree. But one thing is certain. For thousands of years, funerals have been around. So for whatever reason, people have always seen the need to not hurry or rush this final moment spent with our loved ones.

The following funeral service options commonly available in Australia are:

1. Graveside Service

A graveside service is a service held beside the final place of rest of the deceased. A religious representative may be present or a member of the family may say a few words before, during, after a deceased member is placed in their final resting place.

Location:
Beside a grave plot or memorial wall, columbarium niche in a cemetery.

Spokesperson:
Member of the family, Religious figure, funeral celebrant.

Time:
A few days after the death has occurred.

2. Religious Service  

Religious services usually follow established customs. Most often a religious representative is approached and the family is guided and told what the service involves and will entail.

Location:
A funeral service held in a religious setting. Example: Church, temple…

Spokesperson:
Religious figures usually. Example: Priest, Clergy…

Time:
A few days after the death has occurred.

3. Memorial Service  

Memorial services are sometimes a stand-alone event and separate from the actual funeral. This is done so extra time can be spent to create 

Location:
A memorial service is often held in a hall owned by a funeral home or in a public space.

Spokesperson:
Religious figures, civil celebrant…

Time:
A few days after the death has occurred or when ready to commemorate the life of the deceased.