A funeral represents a purposeful opportunity to reflect on the meaning of a life that has been lived and to determine the impact of that meaning for the family and friends. There is no single proper funeral service. It is a time for human sharing in its deepest sense. You and the ones you love are at the very center of the process, and the choices you make will determine its significance for you. As you participate in the planning of the funeral service, you help create a meaningful experience for everyone.

Traditional Funeral Service

Traditionally, the funeral will include a family or public viewing of the deceased. Viewing of the deceased, especially by the immediate family is helpful in the process of accepting death and an important step in the process of resolution of grief. Following this will be the funeral service, typically held in the church or at the funeral home. The service is followed by interment either below ground (Earth Burial), above ground (Entombment in a Mausoleum) or cremation.

A member of the clergy may be asked to conduct the service or, in non-religious ceremonies, a family member, close friend or celebrant is asked to speak. Often, a eulogy is delivered, hymns chosen, special music played, passages of scripture or poems selected and presented, or special requests of the deceased honored.

Personalized service folders, memorial registers, flowers, candles, portraits, collage boards and video tributes have all become very popular in memorializing the deceased's life during the service. Video tributes have become increasingly popular since we are able to put together many photographs from throughout the deceased's life into a lasting "Life Portrait" that is shown during the service. The personalized video tribute will also included some of the deceased's favorite music which is played in the background while the video is being shown.