Understanding the 4 Main Parts of Traditional Funeral Services 

In 2019, most funeral homes in Manchester, NJand other parts of the country are allowing families to personalize funeral services for their loved ones. Whether they want to go with a traditional service or something more modern like a celebration-of-life ceremony, they’re welcome to do it. But before you decide what you want to put together for a loved one’s funeral, it’s good for you to know the 4 main parts of traditional funeral services. It’ll help you figure out what parts you want to keep and which you don’t. Here is information on each of these 4 parts.

Visitation

This part of traditional funeral services is sometimes called either a viewing or a wake. It takes place a day or so prior to a person’s funeral service. During visitation hours, people will come to pay their respects to a person who has died. They’ll stand or kneel before their body and get the opportunity to say a prayer for them. They’ll also get the chance to say a few words to the person’s family.

Funeral service

This part of traditional funeral services is the part that comes to mind for most people when they’re thinking about Manchester, NJ funerals. A funeral service can be held at a funeral home, in a church or another religious establishment, or even at a person’s graveside. Funeral services often feature everything from music and Biblical readings to eulogies and prayers. They’re often sad and solemn occasions, but they play a huge part in the healing process for those who attend them. It gives everyone one last chance to pay tribute to the deceased and say goodbye.

Committal service

This part of traditional funeral services only applies to those who will be burying their loved ones as opposed to cremating them. Following a person’s funeral, their family will have to make their way from a funeral home or church in the direction of the cemetery where the person will be buried. A vehicle procession will take place involving everyone who is going to the cemetery. Traffic around the procession will slow down and allow the procession to pass through.

Funeral reception

This part of traditional funeral services is the most fun for those in attendance. After everything else is finished, the family of the deceased will usually invite everyone to a reception so that they can eat and talk. During a funeral reception, which is also referred to as a repast, family and friends will share stories and memories about the person who passed away and lend their support to one another.

Getting together the four main parts of a Manchester, NJ funeral service can be a challenge. There is so much to consider before putting funeral plans into place. Oliverie Funeral Homecan help you make funeral arrangements for your loved one and personalize it in almost any way. Reach out to us at (732) 657-4900 today or swing by 2925 Ridgeway Rd, Manchester, NJ 08759 to talk with a funeral director.