| Funeral and memorial services play a vital role in | | | | couple hours, then a break for dinner, etc, and |
| the grieving process following the loss of a loved | | | | then held for a couple more hours. |
| one. These services provide a way to come to | | | | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| terms with our loss. It is also an opportunity to | | | | As mentioned earlier, there are many various |
| receive support from, as well as to provide | | | | types of funeral and memorial services. This is |
| support to friends and family. | | | | where the deceased's background, religion, culture, |
| Some may not have had this experience yet, or | | | | and personal traits come into play most |
| are now experiencing it for the first time. If this is | | | | predominantly. Typically, most cultures and |
| the case, one may not know what to expect at | | | | religions in the United States will hold the funeral |
| these types of services, or what will take place. | | | | services in the funeral home, or at a church, |
| There are many, many diverse cultures, | | | | synagogue, etc. Sometimes, the funeral services |
| traditions, and religions; and there are just as | | | | will be held firstly at the funeral home, and then |
| many types of funeral and memorial services. | | | | moved to the church. After the memorial, the |
| Every memorial service is as unique as the | | | | attendees will drive in procession to the cemetery |
| individual it is meant to remember. | | | | or burial site, although this is not always |
| Visitation | | | | performed. |
| The visitation is most commonly held at the | | | | Burial Service |
| funeral home, or, less commonly, at a | | | | Sometimes the graveside service, or interment, is |
| family-member's residence. Sometimes called a | | | | all that is performed, with the memorial service |
| "viewing" or a "wake", the visitation is meant to | | | | included. Other times, the bereaved will arrive at |
| give the friends and family of the deceased an | | | | the burial site after the funeral service. In either |
| opportunity to meet and gather to support one | | | | case, this is where the final service is performed, |
| another. The visitation is most normally held either | | | | and there is a final service, prayer, and/or military |
| the day before the funeral, or a few days before | | | | honor, etc. Afterward, the deceased is interred, |
| and is held for a few hours. It is not uncommon | | | | or the ashes are scattered, or are given to the |
| to have multiple visitations during the week of the | | | | family. |
| funeral. Sometimes, a visitation will be held for a | | | | |