"Why Do We Have Funerals?"
Discover Unique Ways To Pay Tribute
It's important to recognize that funerals and memorial ceremonies are for the living — for those who are affected by the loss of a loved one. It is through the funeral process that a number of emotional needs are met for those who grieve.
A funeral is similar to other ceremonies in our lives. Like a graduation ceremony, a wedding, a baptism, and a bar mitzvah, a funeral is a rite of passage by which we recognize an important event that distinguishes our lives.
The funeral declares that a death has occurred. It celebrates the life that has been lived, and offers family and friends the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.
The gathering of family and friends for a time of sharing and funeral service helps to provide emotional support so needed at this time. This will help those who grieve to face the reality of death and consequently, to take the first step toward a healthy emotional adjustment.
A valuable aspect of contemporary funerals is their individuality. Whether a ceremony is elaborate or simple, funerals are often individualized to reflect the life of the deceased and to hold special meaning for family and other survivors.
Traditional Full Service Funeral
The traditional funeral usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment or cremation of the remains. It is generally the most complete type of service.
Costs often include embalming and dressing the body, rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service, and use of vehicles to transport the family. The costs of a casket, cemetery plots or crypt and other funeral goods and services also must be factored in.
At Grimes Funeral Chapels we believe in the traditional funeral, because it often best serves the needs of family and friends. All of our services can be customized to meet your family's needs. Our staff is always available to help you plan and design a memorial that fully reflects your wishes.
Services typically include:
Generally, a member of the clergy or other person chosen by the family conducts a service of remembrance. We encourage the active participation of the family — many times family members take part by giving a reading, singing, or assisting the clergy. The traditional service gives friends and associates an opportunity to offer their tributes in the way of flowers or memorials to churches or organizations.
Today's funeral and memorial services are highly customizable based on an individual's preferences, beliefs, and needs. Whatever kind of service you wish to have, it can all be arranged through the help of a skilled funeral director.
Though funeral homes still host the majority of memorials, many families choose to hold services in homes, churches, or even outdoors. We can help coordinate any venue.
From a local pianist or string quartet to full video tributes with pictures and slideshows — we can arrange any accompaniment that reflects your loved one's life.
Many of today's services are all-day affairs where family and friends linger in fellowship long after the service itself. We can help coordinate catering and gathering spaces.
It is entirely possible to record your future wishes through a pre-arrangement conference — ensuring your service reflects your personality and values exactly as you intend.
Funerals can last from minutes to months and are usually influenced by the lifestyle and values of the bereaved family. There is no single right way to say goodbye.
A funeral can reflect the occupation, hobbies, religious beliefs, or ethnic background of the deceased. Our staff will help you create a truly unique tribute.
Every funeral/memorial service should be a memorable, warm reflection of the person who has died.
Below are some of the most common questions families ask when planning a funeral service.
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Floral arrangements are one of the most respectful and common ways to show condolences. Here are some common options and their meanings:
An elegant choice to show sympathy, conveying majesty and purity. Known to represent the innocent soul of the deceased.
Long lasting with a sweet scent. Pink represents remembrance, white suggests love and innocence, red signifies admiration.
Red roses evoke sorrow for the deceased, while yellow roses express sympathy for the family of the departed.
Common selections for lasting sympathy and condolences. Signify eternal love and memory.
A versatile spring flower used to signify the lasting memory of the departed. Blooms for many years.
There are many other options including daffodils, tulips, gladioli and chrysanthemums. Ask a local florist what flowers are most appropriate for the situation at hand.
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind. — William Wordsworth