Funeral Traditions

A funeral is a difficult time in anyone’s life, no matter what religion one might be. In difficult times, many people can find comfort and healing through their church’s traditions, especially when it comes to coping with a funeral. Many religious traditions date back thousands of years, providing a rock-solid foundation of support.

An article published on Everplans.com, the Internet’s leading resource for dealing with death, shares a great deal of information about different funeral traditions throughout the world. For example:

• In the Eastern Orthodox Church, many activities take place such as symbolic items being placed in the open coffin, along with lit candles. Funeral attendees stand throughout the service. Once the funeral ends, all are encouraged to stand near the casket to say goodbye.
• In the Lutheran Church, the funeral service includes hymns, litany, Old Testament and New Testament reading, Gospel reading, Apostle’s Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. Holy Communion is offered to everyone at the service.
• In the Baptist Church, each church has its own funeral customs. For some, funerals are a joyous event or celebration of one’s life. For others, a funeral is a somber event, with a focus on God’s role in the deceased’s life.
• The Quaker funeral service includes meditation, sharing of memories, songs and readings. A casket or urn is not present.
• A Presbyterian funeral may take place at the graveside, be it a memorial service or be a traditional funeral service.
• In the Jewish faith, funeral planning begins immediately after someone passes. Someone is with the deceased from death until burial. The burial must take place within a day of death or as soon as possible.

It’s a very difficult time when a loved one passes. Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery is here to help you and your family through the funeral and burial process. Contact us today at (480) 832-2850 or at (866) 684-1951.