Viewing The Role of Funerals in Today's SocietyThe Role of Funerals in Today's Society
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There are many tasks and arrangements that need to be settled following a death. Therefore, it is vital for family members and close friends of the deceased to provide support for each other and help out in whatever way they can. By Martin Brinkmann Funerals are ceremonies or processions commonly held for deceased persons. The ceremony may be in the form of a simple memorial service attended by family and friends, or it can be a grand State burial, usually for soldiers who died in the battlefield. A funeral consists of an assortment of customs, which might be different for people of various religions and cultures. Depending on the wishes of the deceased persons, their religions, and the customs of their families, the deceased may be buried or cremated. Burials are a common practice since pre-historic times, where the body of the deceased is buried in a grave in the ground. In the modern world, there are no more solitary graves; instead there are cemeteries where many graves share a common ground or area. Cremations are preferred among some cultures. The deceased's body is put into a special furnace called a crematory where it is reduced to ashes, which are collected and handed over to family members for safekeeping. It is also not uncommon for bodies to be placed in a tomb above ground or left in the open for the forces of nature to disintegrate the earthly remains. Most funeral rituals consist of three parts in the following order: visitation, funeral, and burial. Before the visitation ceremony begins, the body of the deceased is first embalmed. Embalming involves removal of the dead body's blood and replacing it with a preservative liquid, usually a mixture of a variety of chemicals and formaldehyde. During visitation, the embalmed body is placed in a coffin for family and friends to view. Visitation usually precedes the actual funeral by one or two evenings. Attendees are invited to sign a book kept by the deceased's survivors for memorial. In recent years, it has also become common for the family to display photographs and videos of the deceased during his or her lifetime at the visitation. The visitation ceremony is followed by a funeral or memorial service, which takes place at a church or a funeral home. The funeral service is officiated by a clergyman, who will lead the prayers, singing of hymns, and words of comfort. Some close relatives, friends, and spouses will offer to give eulogies regarding the achievements and happy memories of the deceased. After the attendees view the deceased's body for the final time, the coffin is closed and the coffin might immediately be brought to the tomb, grave, or crematorium for the burial service. Sometimes, a small gathering or meal may be called after the burial service at the deceased's church, a banquet hall, or a private place. This is especially evident if the deceased died of old age. Family members and close friends gather together for a 'celebration of life'. Instead of mourning the deceased, they celebrate the life he or she lived, cherish the memories together, and provide support for each other to get on with their lives. The funeral of a loved one is often one of the most trying times in a person's life. Young persons who have not previously experienced the death of a relative or friend may have difficulty understanding and accepting the passing away of their loved ones. There are many tasks and arrangements that need to be settled following a death. Therefore, it is vital for family members and close friends of the deceased to provide support for each other and help out in whatever way they can both before and after a funeral. About the Author: Martin has a store selling cremation urns for humans and pet cremation urns. Article Source: Eulogy Site - http://EulogySite.com More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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