Some distinct funeral rites are followed in most religious and cultural groups in North America. Here are the Common Funeral Culture and traditions in US that is mostly observed so:
Visitation Funeral service Burial service Gathering.
Depending on different religions this varies. These rites are been followed by most US cultural groups. It takes place two or three days before the actual funeral service a visitation is also called a wake. Unlike some Asian cultures like Hindus, Muslims, etc. it must be observed first. At once but over a period of a few days US funeral rites do not take place.
The body will be embalmed and dressed up in formal clothes. Then it will be placed in a casket chosen by family members and kept on display. This happens at the funeral parlour, home, community hall or a religious place of worship. Jewelry may also be placed on the body along with religious symbols like a cross or rosary. These maybe removed prior to burial or cremation although most people will leave the religious ornaments to be buried in the casket.
People can sign and write messages of condolence a visitor's book will be kept. Pictures of the deceased in happier times will be displayed. Throughout the visitation these days, a DVD is often prepared with happy memories of the deceased with family and friends and this can be played. The viewing of the body can be either open or closed casket. With make up for the viewing in open casket, the body will be embalmed and dressed. If family members cannot bear to see the face of their dearly departed loved one, then a closed casket is used however, if the body is badly damaged due to a fire, accident or illness.
Viewing the deceased and comforting family members the time and date of the visitation will normally be announced and friends and relatives can come and spend time. Flowers maybe sent for the viewing and placed around the casket. Jewish people who make up a large part of American culture never display the body. The funeral takes place soon after death embalming is also not allowed. To the deceased's home similarly, flowers are not taken to a Jewish visitation although a food or fruit basket maybe sent.
At the funeral parlour on the day of the burial, a funeral service may be held at the church or other places of worship, community hall. From the scriptures read a priest will conduct a formal service, hymns will be sung and a passage. The family will often have the visitation, funeral and burial service on the same day to facilitate other elderly friends to attend the service if an elderly person has died. At the gravesite, crematorium or mausoleum burial service also called the 'Vale of Rest' takes place. To the burial site a funeral procession usually takes place from the site of the visitation.
Military rites will be observed at the final resting place if a military person has died. From the church pallbearers - usually male close friends and relatives - will carry the coffin. Which will bear the casket to the burial site they will place it in the hearse. The pallbearers will carry the coffin from the hearse to the site here again. Most religions allow the casket to be closed although sometimes, it maybe opened one last time for everyone gathered to say a final goodbye at this time.
By the priest before the body is finally placed in the ground, tomb or cremated further prayers maybe said. On the deceased will be left, sometimes - especially for cremation - these maybe removed while usually the jewelry worn. In the US is a gathering or memorial service the final funeral tradition observed. To celebrate and remember the life of the deceased this is time.
Where they can reminisce about the deceased, tell stories, read poems and sing songs close friends and family attend this memorial. By dinner this need not be a religious service and will often be accompanied. With this memorial service and eulogies maybe said at the funeral service itself some traditions dispense. As to the type of wake, visitation, funeral and memorial service they want sometimes, people will write a living will leaving behind specific instructions.
Visitation Funeral service Burial service Gathering.
Depending on different religions this varies. These rites are been followed by most US cultural groups. It takes place two or three days before the actual funeral service a visitation is also called a wake. Unlike some Asian cultures like Hindus, Muslims, etc. it must be observed first. At once but over a period of a few days US funeral rites do not take place.
The body will be embalmed and dressed up in formal clothes. Then it will be placed in a casket chosen by family members and kept on display. This happens at the funeral parlour, home, community hall or a religious place of worship. Jewelry may also be placed on the body along with religious symbols like a cross or rosary. These maybe removed prior to burial or cremation although most people will leave the religious ornaments to be buried in the casket.
People can sign and write messages of condolence a visitor's book will be kept. Pictures of the deceased in happier times will be displayed. Throughout the visitation these days, a DVD is often prepared with happy memories of the deceased with family and friends and this can be played. The viewing of the body can be either open or closed casket. With make up for the viewing in open casket, the body will be embalmed and dressed. If family members cannot bear to see the face of their dearly departed loved one, then a closed casket is used however, if the body is badly damaged due to a fire, accident or illness.
Viewing the deceased and comforting family members the time and date of the visitation will normally be announced and friends and relatives can come and spend time. Flowers maybe sent for the viewing and placed around the casket. Jewish people who make up a large part of American culture never display the body. The funeral takes place soon after death embalming is also not allowed. To the deceased's home similarly, flowers are not taken to a Jewish visitation although a food or fruit basket maybe sent.
At the funeral parlour on the day of the burial, a funeral service may be held at the church or other places of worship, community hall. From the scriptures read a priest will conduct a formal service, hymns will be sung and a passage. The family will often have the visitation, funeral and burial service on the same day to facilitate other elderly friends to attend the service if an elderly person has died. At the gravesite, crematorium or mausoleum burial service also called the 'Vale of Rest' takes place. To the burial site a funeral procession usually takes place from the site of the visitation.
Military rites will be observed at the final resting place if a military person has died. From the church pallbearers - usually male close friends and relatives - will carry the coffin. Which will bear the casket to the burial site they will place it in the hearse. The pallbearers will carry the coffin from the hearse to the site here again. Most religions allow the casket to be closed although sometimes, it maybe opened one last time for everyone gathered to say a final goodbye at this time.
By the priest before the body is finally placed in the ground, tomb or cremated further prayers maybe said. On the deceased will be left, sometimes - especially for cremation - these maybe removed while usually the jewelry worn. In the US is a gathering or memorial service the final funeral tradition observed. To celebrate and remember the life of the deceased this is time.
Where they can reminisce about the deceased, tell stories, read poems and sing songs close friends and family attend this memorial. By dinner this need not be a religious service and will often be accompanied. With this memorial service and eulogies maybe said at the funeral service itself some traditions dispense. As to the type of wake, visitation, funeral and memorial service they want sometimes, people will write a living will leaving behind specific instructions.
About the Author:
Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on servicios funerarios Guatemala and funerales Guatemala, visit his site today.
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