ABOUT FUNERALS
Funerals are an important part of the healing
process. They are a special time for friends and
relatives to gather, pay tribute and share memories
after someone they love has passed on. Above all,
funerals allow us to:
- Come to terms with the reality of death;
- Share in the remembrance of a life lived;
- They are a time to remember;
- Show mutual support for family and friends;
- Say goodbye;
- Begin to make the transition from life before
death
to life after death.
A funeral service shouldn't just conform to tradition and "what my families always done . . .", but it should reflect your wants and needs. It should reflect the life of the deceased and it should provide healing to those left to deal with the loss. Every family and every situation is different. We believe in giving you what you want, and are open to any idea, now matter how different you may think it is. After eighty years in the business, we welcome a surprise.
FUNERAL FUNDAMENTALS
The Funeral Ritual
The funeral ritual itself is comprised of many elements. These different elements are organized to give each person touched by the loss a time to grieve, reflect and begin to heal.
The Visitation
Sometimes called "the wake";- A time for family and friends to see their loved one for the last time and truly begin to come to terms with the reality of death;
- Casket can be open or closed;
- Viewing is a personal and cultural choice
The Funeral Ceremony
- Sometimes called "celebration of life", “tribute” or "remembrance";
- A personal reflection from one or several people on the life of their loved one
- can be held in a place of worship or in the chapel of the funeral home.
The Procession
- Sometimes called "the motorcade”;
- An orderly transportation of the deceased to their final resting place;
- Symbol of mutual support; public honoring of the death.
The Farewell
Sometimes called “interment",
"entombment", “committal” or "scattering
ceremony";- Brings finality to the funeral ritual;
- Family and friends gather at the resting place to offer their final private thoughts to the loved one .
The Gathering
- Sometimes called "the reception";
- An occasion for the family to say thank you to friends who shared in the funeral ritual;
- A time to offer condolences and show mutual support;
- Can take place anywhere the family chooses;
- Allows for the beginning of the transition to
life after death.
BURIAL OR CREMATION?
Choosing the method to care for your loved one after death is a personal decision, and in some cases, a religious or cultural one. Whatever your preference, we encourage you to consider including each of the elements in the funeral ritual as they are an integral part of the healing process from moving from life before death to life after death.
TYPES OF FUNERAL SERVICES
The most common types of funeral services for both burial and cremation are:
Burial:
1. Complete Funeral Service
Friends and family are invited to visit the funeral
home to pay their respects to the deceased and offer
condolences to the family.
Visitation provides time for sharing and remembrance
and is followed by a funeral ceremony at a place of
worship or in our chapel.
Following the funeral ceremony, the deceased is transported to the cemetery where he/she is placed in their final resting place.
2. Graveside Service
Friends and family are invited to visit the funeral
home to pay their respects to the deceased and offer
condolences to the family.
Visitation provides time for sharing and remembrance
and is followed by a funeral ceremony at the
cemetery.
Following the funeral ceremony, the deceased is placed in their final resting place.
A graveside service can also be arranged without visitation.
3. Memorial Service
Family and friends are invited to a ceremony for sharing and remembrance of the deceased at a time either before or after the deceased has been placed in their final resting place.
Free from the presence of a casket, a chapel or an alternative site can be arranged with photographs and personal items from the home.
Cremation
1. Complete Funeral Service
Friends
and family are invited to visit the funeral home to
pay their respects to the deceased and offer
condolences to the family.
Visitation provides time for sharing and remembrance
and is followed by a funeral ceremony at a place of
worship or in our chapel.
Following the funeral ceremony, the deceased is
transported to the crematory for cremation.
Following the cremation, arrangements are made with the family for the return of cremated remains and a committal service where the deceased is placed in their final resting place.
2. Memorial Service
Family and friends are invited to a ceremony for sharing and remembrance of the deceased at a time either before or after the deceased has been placed in their final resting place.
A chapel or alternative site can be arranged with photographs and items from the home.
If you would like to learn more about our funeral service packages, please contact us at info@allenfuneralhome.ca.