Planning For Religious Funerals

It's a challenge that most of us will have to address one day. Even if we never have to arrange a funeral for someone else there's always our own send off to think about - particularly with the sensible trend for planning religious funerals while we are still alive.


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1. Open or closed casket. Sometimes, a person makes it known in advance whether or not he/she wants an open casket. If it's not known, then the choice is up to the family. When planning Religious Funerals, many people go with an open casket to let family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have one last view of the loved one and to pay respects. However, if the loved had suffered a recent severe stroke and no longer looks the same, then a closed casket might be more appropriate. In either case, the immediate family should be provided the opportunity to view their loved one.
2. Funeral vs. Memorial Service. If relatives aren't going to be able to arrive within a day or two, or the loved one's body has been cremated, then you might want to opt to have a memorial service rather than a funeral service. At a memorial service, the body is not present. Usually a casket is still placed up front and a picture of the loved one is propped on top of the casket.
3. Church setting or funeral home setting. Religious Funerals at a church provide a comfortable, homelike atmosphere that can be used for funeral services of all faiths and creeds. That is why it was chosen by among families. The calling (viewing) hours are held at the funeral home.
4. Music. For many Religious Funerals, music is part of the service. Funeral hymns and can also be can also be implemented in a funeral programs whenever it was memorable to your loved one? If so, do you want the people attending the funeral to sing the song, have someone sing a solo, play a CD of the song, or have a pianist play it as an instrumental? Music plays an important part in a funeral service most especially at a church. A Prelude before the service. Provides a pleasant and welcoming ambient for family, friends and guest as they arrive at the church or funeral chapel?
5. Scripture. Most Religious Funerals contain a variety of scripture. If there was a special verse that your loved one quoted often, then consider including it in the funeral service. Scripture reading can be done by both family or a person from the ministry?
6. Powerpoint. Powerpoint, a computerized slideshow, has become a common component of several Religious Funerals. The powerpoint consists of several pictures of your loved one from when he/she was very little to the present time. Although a powerpoint will cause tears to be shed, it's also a beautiful time of reflecting on your loved one's life. People who may have only known your loved one for a brief amount of time will enjoy seeing the pictures as well.

As you can see, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made when planning a funeral. Religious Funerals provide families with options as described above and the funeral director wants to accommodate your needs and wishes to the best of his ability.

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