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When a loved one passes, some people hold a traditional funeral service to bring together friends and family to honor and remember the deceased. Tradition brings many a sense of comfort and closure in times of sorrow, as one can perform rituals that are part of a religious or social group. Understanding what to expect during the service can make dealing with the sense of loss more manageable.

What Is a Traditional Funeral Service?

A traditional funeral is the most common practices for commemorating a person’s passing. This ceremony is divided into three parts: the visitation, service, and burial.

Visitation

A visitation or viewing involves paying respect to the deceased and offering condolences to their survivors. The family can choose to have an open or closed casket. This part of the service is generally held at the funeral home with the funeral director present. The visitation may be open to the public or held for select family and friends. 

Service 

funeral serviceIf a family is religious, the funeral may be preceded by a religious service or blessing. Other ceremonies might be performed graveside. A spiritual leader will speak first to commemorate the deceased’s life, and designated friends and family members might also speak to share special memories of their loved one.

Burial

If the funeral service was held at a church, mourners might follow behind the pallbearers to the gravesite. This gives close friends and family members one last chance to say goodbye before the coffin is lowered into the ground.

 

The passing of a loved one is a sensitive and emotional time for everyone involved. However, knowing what a traditional funeral service entails can simplify the grieving process. Robert W. Waid Funeral Home in Meadville, PA, has been helping families arrange meaningful ceremonies for over a century. To learn more about their funeral preplanning options, call (814) 724-1021 or visit them online.

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