A traditional funeral will include a family or public viewing of the deceased, followed by a service, typically in the church or at the funeral home. This would be followed by the burial. Many cemeteries require that a minimum grave liner be used to encase the casket when buried. These minimum liners are constructed of concrete and are designed to hold the weight of the earth, maintaining the cemetery property. A sealed vault may also be used. The vaults are also constructed of concrete and are designed to not only protect the gravesite but are manufactured with inner liners that not only restrict the entrance of graveside elements (water and earth) but increase the strength of the vault.
The Graveside Service can be another selection. This can follow a visitation at the funeral home. Your loved one would then be transferred to the cemetery where a graveside ceremony could take place followed by the burial.
The Cremation Service is another type of selected offering. This service will be just like a Funeral Service except cremation will follow instead of the burial. This can be accommodated by the use of a cremation casket (casket that is designed to be cremated) or even a rental casket may be used. Following the viewing, service or ceremony, and eventual cremation, the cremated remains can be buried, properly scattered, or returned to the family for safekeeping. Urns are used to hold the cremated remains. Urns can be constructed out of basic materials like cardboard or plastic or constructed out of more protective materials like basic and semi-precious metals, ceramics, and woods.
A Memorial Service is one where the body is not present and is usually held at the church, funeral home, or other location. Viewing of your loved one is a very important step in acknowledging that the death has occurred. Having some type of service or ceremony is also a key ingredient to a healthy recovery of a loss due to a death.