~Traditional Funeral Ceremony~

The visitation is a time for family and friends to come together to support one another in their grief. It is usually an informal time for conversation, the sharing of memories, and support. The body is present and the casket may be opened or closed. This allows the family and friends to acknowledge the reality of the death and to have the opportunity to say and show their gratitude, apologies, and good-byes. Traditionally, the visitation is held the day prior to the funeral ceremony. We encourage families to bring photographs and memorabilia that are significant to the person who has died to display during the visitation. Receiving friends through a visitation activates your support system and allows others to express their concern and love for you.

The funeral ceremony takes place the day following the visitation. The important thing to bear in mind for the funeral is that it is a ceremony to remember the person who died to celebrate their life and to share the way they touched their family and friends. The body is present a funeral and the casket may be opened or closed. The ceremony is more formal than that of the visitation. A eulogy should acknowledge the unique life of the person who died and affirm the significance of that life for all who shared in it. A member of the clergy, family or friend may give a eulogy. Several people may wish to speak and share their memories rather than just one. There are no limitations to personalizing the funeral ceremony. Each family is encouraged to be as creative as they would like to make the ceremony truly meaningful. Among other ideas for the ceremony include playing music that was special to the person who died and showing a video of the times of their life.

Following the funeral ceremony, a procession moves to the cemetery for final services at the place of burial. The procession is an important element of the traditional funeral as it acknowledges the reality of the death and gives significance to the life that was lived. At the cemetery the casket will be placed over the grave. Following services the casket will be lowered into the grave. Family members may wish to stay for the lowering but are not required to.

A reception or gathering would usually follow services. This is an informal time for family and friends to celebrate the life of the person who died. It usually involves food and beverages and may be catered or be a potluck at any location. Emphasis should be on the family and friends being comfortable with the location and surroundings as this may last for a few hours following the funeral service. Emphasis should be on communicating your wishes to your family and all those involved. Ask assistance of your funeral director for more information on prearranging a funeral.

Please feel free to email us at pmc@alaskanfuneral.com , phone us at 888-369-3003 or click on the link below: