Page 8 - O'Shea Funeral Guide
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• Tell your children or loved ones So what is a funeral? In general terms,
that because you care for them so a funeral is a gathering of family and
much, you don’t want to burden friends after the death of a loved one
them with difficult decisions when that allows them the opportunity to
you’re gone. Tell them you’ve made mourn, support each other and pay
your own final arrangements, and tribute to the life of the deceased. It
give them a written record of what often consists of one or more of the
they are. following components:
• Make it a family affair. Schedule
an appointment with your chosen
funeral home or cemetery provider Burial Plans
and invite your children along When considering final arrangements
to participate in the selection of for yourself or a loved one, one of
services, funeral merchandise and the first decisions you might make is
cemetery property. whether you prefer burial or cremation.
This decision often influences other
Whether you’re sharing plans for important considerations, such as
your own final arrangements with elements of the funeral service and
loved ones, or encouraging loved type of cemetery property.
ones to make and share their plans
with you, the conversation about Funeral Service
planning ahead is an important one A formal or informal ceremony or
that every family should have. While ritual prior to burial, a funeral service
no one wants to think about their often provides a sense of closure to
death or the death of a loved one any family and friends. Although your faith
sooner than they must, having the or culture may dictate some elements
conversation in advance alleviates the of a funeral service, you may want
need for potentially more unpleasant to personalize other elements of the
or difficult conversations in the future. service. At a funeral service, a casket
or urn is present, though you may
Funeral Arrangements choose to have the casket open or
Whether you’re planning for yourself closed.
or for a loved one, the funeral service
is one of the most important elements Held the night before or immediately
of a person’s final arrangements. prior to the funeral service, the
With the opportunity for great visitation - also called a wake or a
personalization, the funeral service viewing - provides a way for friends
can truly reflect the uniqueness of the and acquaintances to pay respects
life it honors. and offer condolences to your family.
As with the funeral service, you may
Regardless of whether you or your want to decide if you want an open or
loved one have opted for burial or for closed casket should one be present.
cremation, the funeral or memorial
service fills an important role. It can:
• Honor, recognize and celebrate the Memorial or Tribute
life of the deceased
• Allow friends and family to say their Service
last good-byes At a memorial or tribute service, a
• Provide closure after the loss of a casket or urn is usually not present.
loved one Otherwise similar to a funeral or
• Allow friends to console the family visitation, a memorial service gives
of the loved one family and friends a time to come
Page 8 - O’Shea Funeral Homes
