Not every family has the same ideas as to their preferences for memorialization of their deceased family members. This is the reason that we offer so many options in planning a funeral or memorial service.

Just a few years ago most funerals were composed of the same basic elements. A visitation or viewing was generally held at the funeral home the day before the funeral. A funeral service at the funeral home or church followed with a brief service at the grave. Music was also quite structured, composed mostly of the old standard hymns. The minister would read scripture from both the Old Testament and New Testament followed by an obituary or life sketch and a sermon. The casket was nearly always opened either before the funeral began or at the conclusion of the service. Generally the family would view last, just before the attendees followed the family and the funeral coach to the cemetery in formal procession.

This briefly describes what is generally referred to as “a traditional funeral”. The majority of the families we serve still prefer a similar type of funeral service; however, not every family does.

A growing number of our clients prefer to have a “Life Appreciation” type service. This type service stresses the positive attributes of the deceased and uses various life symbols that connect the deceased with the family and friends. It is common to use photographs and other objects which connect the mourners with the deceased. Music is an important element of most funerals and is more apt to be the music loved by the deceased and is often secular or non-religious.

Memorial services are commonly held following a cremation. Graveside services are sometimes preferred to a more formal funeral held in a funeral home or church.