Traditional Services

FUNERAL CEREMONY

A Funeral is a ceremony held to honor, remember, and pay respect to a loved one who has left this life, prior to laying their body to rest. Most often, this ceremony includes the coordination of a final moment of spending time with the now deceased family member or friend, which is commonly referred to as a “viewing”, to assist surviving family/ friends in receiving closure and to begin a time of healing, but this choice is for each family to decide upon.

Funeral ceremonies are most often personalized as a reflection of the life of their loved one’s life to include a pastor, music, picture sharing and/or personal items acquired (ie; cars/memorabilia or such).

Accompanying the ceremony, whether religious or secular, a separate proceeding traditionally incudes an immediate committal of the loved one’s body to a grave for “burial”. However, as traditions have evolved, cremation is sometimes chosen prior to a committal, with cremated ashes either being placed into the grave, or even a scattering of the ashes may be decided upon instead. Either choice is again a family decision, but the ceremonial process offers a time and place for communal grieving, celebrating the deceased’s life, and providing emotional support to all whom are bereaved.

ARRANGING FOR A FUNERAL

Like other events or milestones of life, a Funeral Ceremony is a final moment to celebrate the life of your family member or friend and all options of inclusion should be considered.

Such as:

Pastor – Particular scripture
Music – Live or recorded
Eulogies – Details of reflection to share (special accolades/ specific moments to recall)
Alumni/ Club/ Community Organization participation
Military Honors
Cemetery

Selecting a Casket

Whether you are preplanning for yourself or choosing for a loved one, casket selection is a very personal decision and an expression of your feelings. You may select the beauty of wood or the brilliance of fine metal. You may prefer tailored simplicity or a more elaborate design.

A casket selection which reflects the personality and taste of your loved one can be your final tribute to their life.

A wide variety of caskets, in many price ranges, are available. You can rely upon your funeral director as an invaluable source to provide you with all the information you need to make a selection.

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Selecting a Burial Vault

Although not required by law, most people prefer a burial vault. This is an outer receptacle with a warranted seal and liner for underground interment in cemeteries.

Outer burial containers support the weight of the earth and heavy equipment that may pass over the grave. As this helps preserve the beauty of the property and reduces maintenance costs, they may be required by your cemetery or memorial park.

Usually the vault is set at the grave prior to interment. A brief service may be held at the grave when the casket is interred. After the service, the cover will be placed over the base and the grave will be filled, compacted and then seeded or sodded.

If you would like to view the vaults we carry, please click the following link. A new window will open with this information, which you can close after you browse the selections.