Benjamin Franklin famously said ‘….in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes”. Death comes to us all, and the end of a loved one is the most challenging event we will have to deal with in our lives. We want to ensure that the people we love are given a send-off worthy of their impact on us and others. Here is some information about some of the different types of funerals available in 2021.
Traditional Funeral
A traditional funeral usually consists of a set sequence of events. After communicating your loss to others, it is time to arrange the funeral. The dearly departed may have detailed what they want to happen once they die in their will, and these wishes should be honored.
Sometimes the grieving process starts with a viewing period where mourners can visit the deceased’s body in the funeral home to say personal goodbyes. After a couple of days, the coffin will be transported in a hearse to the memorial service, which will take place in a place of worship, funeral home, graveside, or at a crematorium. During this service, a eulogy will be read, music may be played, and songs sang.
After a traditional funeral, mourners will gather in a function hall or restaurant where they can have something to eat and drink and celebrate the deceased’s life in a more relaxed, comfortable environment.
Cremation
Cremation is the burning of a dead body and has been carried out by some cultures, such as India, for tens of thousands of years. Cremation is an alternative to burial and may be chosen due to religious reasons or family tradition. As with a traditional funeral, a hearse will carry the coffin to the ceremony, and pallbearers will take it and place it on a platform called a catafalque. Usually, a service is conducted before the cremation that celebrates the life of the deceased. Afterward, the body will be cremated, and a family member will be asked to collect the ashes at a later date. Ashes of the loved one can be kept in an urn, buried, or scattered around a special location.
Green Funeral
As people become more environmentally conscious, green funerals are growing in popularity. Green burials use products and techniques that cause as little damage to the environment as possible.
Coffins are made from biodegradable materials such as cardboard, wicker, or the body is just shrouded in a piece of cloth. Embalming of the body prior to cremation or burial is frowned upon as it involves chemicals. At an eco-friendly funeral, the body is buried in a built-for-purpose burial ground, meadow, or woodland area. If the deceased owned land, it might be possible for them to be buried there. To keep the burial as green as possible, a tree or some flowers are often planted to mark the grave instead of a headstone or metal plaque.