Basic Funeral Ideas
What kind of funeral do you want? Each family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral services are largely influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs, and/or personal preferences. These factors help to determine whether the funeral service will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and the location of the event.
Funeral customs can also influence whether or not the body is present at the funeral, if there is a visitation and/or viewing, whether the casket will be open or closed, and whether the remains are buried or cremated. Some of the funeral ideas you'll need to consider is whether you want a one of these basic types of funeral services, or something in-between when planning a funeral.
Funeral Ideas: Traditional Services
A traditional funeral service usually includes a viewing or visitation, a formal service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and
burial, entombment or
cremation of the remains. Traditional funerals are generally the most expensive type of funeral. In addition to the funeral home's
basic services fees, costs often include embalming and dressing the body; funeral home rental for the viewing or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family. The cost of a
casket, cemetery plot, crypt and other products and services increases these costs.
Funeral Ideas: Direct Burial Services
A direct burial is when the body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved (so no embalming is necessary). A memorial service may also be held at the graveside or at a later date. Direct
burials usually cost less than traditional funeral services. The only costs involved may be the funeral home's
basic service fees, as well as the transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a
casket or
outer burial container such as a
vault, and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home may also charges an additional fee for a graveside service.
Funeral Ideas: Direct Cremation Services
Direct cremation services involves the body being cremated shortly after death. The remains are then placed in an urn or another type of container. With this type of service, there is
usually no viewing or visitation involved, although a memorial service may be held, with or without the cremated remains being present. Many people often choose to have the remains kept in their home, buried, placed in a crypt, or scattered in a favorite location. Like
direct burials, direct cremation services also cost less than a traditional service. The funeral costs involved with
direct cremation include the funeral home's
basic services fees,
transportation and care of the body, crematory fees and charges for the urn or other container
to hold the remains. Funeral providers who offer direct cremation services must offer to provide alternative containers that can be used in place of a
casket. The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt is included
only if the remains are buried or entombed.
Funeral Ideas: Summary
In summary, there are generally three types of funerals: Traditional,
Direct Burial and Direct Cremation. Traditional funeral services are the most expensive of the
three. To assist you with your
final decision, you should review Step 3:
Average
Funeral Costs.
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