Traditional Funeral Services
Is your family in search of Bonner Springs funeral services? Are you looking to honor your loved one with a dignified and respectful funeral service? We understand the pain that comes from losing a loved one. As the trusted provider of funeral services in Bonner Springs to many families, we are here to assist and support you through your loss. We are proud to offer quality funeral services that are tailored to reflect your loved one’s unique personality.
A traditional funeral service is one of the most time-honored ways to pay tribute to a loved one. For hundreds of years, families have found solace in honoring their loved one’s passing with a traditional funeral service. The practice of laying a loved one to rest not only respects religious beliefs but provides the deceased’s loved ones with a sense of closure.
What is a Funeral?
No matter where it's held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life well lived. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.
Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past, and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors—the immediate family most especially—has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral—no matter where, no matter when—lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.
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What Do Traditional Funeral Services Include?
Traditional funeral services are often held at a church, cemetery or the funeral home. This is a structured service that includes four main parts: the visitation, funeral ceremony, committal service and reception.
Visitation
The visitation often takes place the night before the funeral or on the day of – directly before the service. Sometimes referred to as a viewing or wake, it’s when guests come to view the body of the deceased and spend time comforting the grieving family.
Funeral Ceremony
The funeral is the formal ceremony where guests gather to say goodbye to the deceased. Every ceremony Is unique but many often include: music, prayers, readings of religious passages, a eulogy and the singing of hymns.
Committal Service
If the family of the deceased plans to bury their loved one’s remains, the committal service is when the casket is lowered into the ground at the cemetery. It often includes a short service at the cemetery where a prayer is said as loved ones say their final goodbye.
Funeral Reception
A funeral reception often concludes the traditional funeral service. It is a post service gathering where guests can enjoy light snacks and refreshments. During the reception, guests can mingle and share stories, memories, laughter, and sometimes tears while celebrating the life of the deceased.
A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.
If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to contact us
to begin.
Funeral Service Options
There are several different types of funeral services to consider. This is a choice that can only be made by you and your family as each option offers their own unique benefits. Each of the funeral options listed below can be personalized to meet your family’s needs and requests. For more information about our funeral packages and pricing, please speak with a member of our staff.
Funeral with Burial Service
Often referred to as traditional funeral services, this is a popular choice for many families. This type of funeral service includes a visitation, funeral, committal, and reception. Many families find that the familiarity of this service provides them with a sense of peace and closure.
Funeral with Cremation Service
A common misconception is that a funeral service cannot be held if you plan to cremate the deceased. However, many families arrange funeral services to be held before the cremation. This option is quite similar to a traditional funeral except that the deceased is cremated instead of buried after the funeral. Following the completion of the funeral, guests can begin the reception while the deceased is transported to the crematory.
Graveside Service
Some families choose to hold the funeral service at the cemetery beside the grave plot. This type of service is a beautiful alternative to a traditional funeral as it allows guests to gather in an outdoor setting. A graveside service also eliminates the need for guests to form a processional and commute to the cemetery after the funeral. Instead, the service and committal can occur at once.
Funeral Services in Bonner Springs
For families and individuals living in this region (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service
and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life.
If you would like to learn more about our funeral services in Bonner Springs, we would happy to assist you. Together we will work alongside you to plan a funeral service that pays tribute to your loved one with dignity and respect. Please give us a call
to speak with a member of our staff.
Source:
Rostad, Curtis, "The Basics of Funeral Service", Indiana Funeral Directors Association, 2014
Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979
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