Marriages and funerals have formed major parts of cultures and their celebrations for many centuries. In fact, the remnants of funerals (including memorial materials and coffins) have provided much information regarding the resources available, beliefs and religions of the ancient world.
Today, organising a funeral is usually an emotional procedure as it is taking place within such a distressing time. However, critical decisions simply have to be made. One of the most important of these is what kind of funeral to choose. This may depend on religion and budget, but will also be determined largely by what the person wanted before they died. Many people include this in their will, which helps those planning the funeral after their death to have some direction. There are, generally speaking, three main types of funerals:
1. Burial
This is a traditional option for those that place import on being laid to rest in a certain area or beside a loved one, for example. Others may be religiously obligated to opt for the burial of their body. One can be buried in a formal graveyard, on the church’s property, in a vault, under the trees of a forest or even at sea.
Some cemeteries allow those wishing to be buried there to purchase their plot ahead of time, guaranteeing them room. This is important if you want to be laid in a certain area or alongside someone close to you.
There are various costs involved in a burial; including a plot, gravedigger, coffin and gravestone.
2. Cremation
Some prefer the notion of being cremated, negating the need for an expensive coffin and gravestone. Cremation may also be a better option for those who were badly injured before their death, not leaving a healthy-looking body intact for burial (particularly not for an open casket).
In this case, the funeral service can take place at the chapel attached to the crematorium or at the church of the deceased’s choice. If the family wishes to keep the ashes of the loved one that died, they will purchase an urn or small bag in which to keep them. These can then be scattered elsewhere (a favourite lake, along the beach or at the person’s childhood home, for example).
Although this is a more cost-effective option, there are still costs involved for a cremation. These include the crematorium and funeral director’s fees.
3. Memorial Talk
In some cases, people may donate their bodies or organs to science or for patients in need of transplants. Others may have died in a foreign country, from where it is difficult or impossible to retrieve the body. In these cases and others, a memorial talk will be given to honour the person and pay one’s last respects. Once the talk is done, the funeral is over, and the body will not be disposed of in a traditional way.
Wakes
Everyone is different, and some people may prefer that the joys and successes of their life be celebrated, rather than their death being mourned. For these ones, an upbeat get-together of friends and family is the best alternative to a sad funeral. These are usually rather informal, but always respectful.
