Funeral Service

Regardless of whether you are planning for a loved one or for yourself, the funeral service is among the most significant areas of a person’s final arrangements. A well planned funeral service offers many opportunities for personalization and can genuinely represent the individuality of the life it honors.

It doesn’t matter if you choose cremation or burial, the memorial or funeral service serves a vital purpose.

The service can:

• Celebrate, recognize, and honor, the life of the departed
  
• Make it possible for friends and family to express their last good-byes
  
• Offer a sense of closure for those dealing with loss
  
• Give friends the opportunity to console the family of the deceased
  

Just what is a funeral? Generally, a funeral is usually an assembling of family and friends after a loved one passes away which allows them the chance to mourn, support one another and pay homage to the life of the dearly departed. Many times, it is made up of a number of the components listed below:

A formal or informal ceremony or tradition leading up to the burial, the service typically offers a sense of closure to all who are dealing with the loss. Although individual faiths or cultures may specify some portions of a funeral service, you might want to add some personalization to the other elements of the service. A funeral service has a casket or an urn present, although you

may decide on an open or closed casket.

Usually scheduled the evening prior to or immediately  preceding the funeral service, the visitation – which is also referred to as a viewing or a wake – provides a means for friends and friends to pay their respects and offer condolences to the family. Just as with the funeral service, you might want to if the casket should be opened or closed, or even if one should be present.

An urn or casket is typically not present at a memorial or tribute service. Generally comparable to a visitation or funeral, a memorial service provides friends and family an opportunity to get together in the deceased’s memory and celebrate their life.

As the name suggests, a graveside service can be held at the grave site just before the burial, in most cases includes any prayers, memories or final remarks. The service might take place after or be the alternative to a funeral service.

There really is no best or right approach to planning a funeral service. At Howard & Jones we believe each funeral ought to be as unique and memorable as the life it honors.  When you are planning your own funeral service it is best to consider the way you would like to be remembered. Maybe you would prefer a traditional funeral service built around particular religious or ethnic beliefs and customs. Or perhaps a celebration highlighting the great memories made with family and friends. Or, it could very well be a mixture of both. You can choose how you would like for your life to be honored, with one service or several.

No matter the service or services you decide to feature in your funeral service plan, you are able to personalize them in virtually any way you can imagine. As an example, take the following questions into account:

• Where should the funeral be held? At your place of worship? At the funeral home?
  
• Who should perform the service?
  
• Will your service follow your faith’s or culture’s traditions
  
• Would you like to have a eulogy, and who should present it?
  
• Would you prefer to have the casket open, closed, or not present?
  
• What music or songs should be played or performed, and by whom?
  
• Would you like to have anything read and by whom?
  
• Are there any special photos or any other keepsakes that should be displayed?
  
• Would you like to have any special decor to represent an individual hobby or interest of yours?
  
• Is there a specific symbol or engraving you would like to have on your headstone or marker?
  
• Should refreshments be served at the service or a bigger party held afterwards?
  

Are ready to start making your funeral plans today?  Contact us today and we would be honored to help you get started!