A funeral is a ceremony of remembrance of a deceased loved one's life. Each funeral is structured in a different way, because a funeral service is created based on each individual person who dies. For example, a funeral can be simply planned, with a small gathering at a family member's home, and then brief ceremony at the burial site. On the other end of the spectrum, a funeral can be elaborately planned, with a gathering of hundreds, even thousands, of people, depending on how well-known a person is or how big their family and friends circle is.

The Word "funeral"

The word "funeral" literally comes from the Latin word, funus, which has several different meanings, including funeral rites, a funeral procession, a burial, funeral, and "torch". A brief history behind the Latin translation comes from the Neanderthal era, when funeral torches were used by the ancient Romans, who believed that the deceased were led to their eternal homes by way of the light from the torches. The cultures, traditions and customs of funerals date back to hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Religious Beliefs or Customs

A funeral can also be created based on the religious beliefs or cultures of the family or the deceased loved one. While the country that the funeral is held in may dictate how the funeral service is structured, within each country, different customs and religions can also have an effect on how the family chooses to plan the funeral. Customs for each funeral will vary widely between the different cultures, and they will also differ between the various religious sectors within the different cultures, as well.

While some funeral rituals were created because people believe in an afterlife, like the Romans with their lighted torches, other funeral processions are created with a look at the past, to celebrate the life of the deceased loved one. There are families who believe that a funeral is the only way to properly honor their loved one, because the burial of the body dates back hundreds of thousands of years.

US. & Canada funeral Customs

"Nowadays, in the U.S. and Canada, funeral customers normally include three aspects"

1. Visitation - At the visitation part of the service, the body of the deceased is displayed in a casket. Some visitations are one night, while others are set up for two nights, to provide all family members and friends to attend if other obligations cause a conflict. The viewing can take place at the funeral home, at the home of a family member, at a church, or another place of the family's choosing. Many people think that the visitation helps grieving family members add closure to the death of their loved one.

2. funeral - The funeral is the memorial service, which is quite often referred to as the funeral. The funeral is usually held at a church or the funeral home. The funeral takes time and planning and is usually scheduled a few days after the death occurs, in order to allow family to make proper plans to attend the service. There is usually a priest or pastor present who says the blessings and prayers for the deceased, as well as offers consolation to the family members. At the funeral, family members and friends can also stand up and say their final good-byes, read poems, and tell stories to help inspire good memories about the life they are celebrating. While many mourners may think of the funeral service as a sad time, others may view the funeral as a time to think about the happiness and fun times that were spent with their lost loved one, making the ceremony more of a meaningful celebration of life, rather than a gloomy and heartbreaking occasion.

3. Burial Service - The burial service occurs at the cemetery, where family and friends are welcome to say their last good-byes and watch the casket lowered into the ground. Quite often, the burial service will immediately follow the funeral service. At the burial, the casket is normally kept closed, and male members of the family, called pallbearers, carry the casket from the place of the funeral service to the hearse, and then carry the casket, once it arrives at the burial site, from the hearse and place it beside the burial plot. Final prayers may be said by the priest or pastor at the burial service and family and friends may lovingly place flowers atop the casket to show their love.

There is no right or wrong way to hold a funeral for a loved one. Every step of the process can be planned according to the family's wishes, and the ceremony can be elaborate or simple. It is the family's decision, depending on their budgets, on how elaborate they want to plan their loved one's. funeral.