Funeral services are something that everyone will have to deal with at some point in their lives as bereavement is part of belonging to a society. Nowadays there are many different kinds of services to choose from, which may not necessarily be religious. Different religions have different funeral rites to be observed.

Hopefully the person who has passed will have given some kind of indication as to the kind of ceremony that they would like, and whether or not it should be religious. Some may have been exceptionally organised and worked out all the details before they passed or even written it into their will.

There are many details to be taken care of when a person has passed, and the first thing may be to get a death certificate. After this there is the selection of what kind of funeral it will be.

There is the decision about where it will take place, and how the deceased will be transported there, what they will be buried or cremated in, and how their grave, if there is one, will be marked. If a person is cremated then there is the decision about what should be done with their ashes. Some people may wish to scatter them, others may want them interred, maybe with another loved one who has already passed, or even kept at home for a period of time whilst still in mourning. If the ashes are to be scattered then it should be checked with the appropriate authorities that this is permitted.

Funerals can often be split into several chapters which may include a viewing of the body for friends and relatives prior to the funeral. This gives people a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones in a more private setting than the service itself. However some religions require that those that have passed are buried or cremated within a certain time limit, so in these cases a viewing period would not be appropriate.

The second chapter is the actual funeral where prayers may be said and songs sung to remember the person who has passed. Close family members or friends may choose to say a few words about the person, and how they will be remembering them. The kind of service is dependent on whether it is religious or non religious. Some religions and ceremonies may have flowers sent by mourners, whereas in other cases this would not be appropriate.

After the service there may be a wake or repast where light refreshments are served to the mourners. This may give them a chance to relax slightly after the sombre occasion of the funeral, and a chance to talk to those who also knew the deceased and to swap memories of them.

Although funeral services are obviously a very sad occasion, and sometimes a tragic one, they can also be a celebration of a decedents life, and a chance for all the other people that they touched during their lifetime to reflect on how knowing this person affected them.

Author Bio: Losing a loved one is difficult; it is a time of mourning and having to plan a funeral is emotionally staining. Though, with the appropriate resources this pain can be eased a little allowing for families and friends to come together in this time of pain.

Category: Death
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