HomeArticlesGraveside Funeral Service

What is a Graveside Funeral Service?

When planning for a loved one’s funeral, there are several options to take into account. While some families choose to have a funeral in one location (e.g. a church, temple, etc.) and then a memorial service at another, a graveside funeral service can be a more cost-effective choice for your family, especially if you are on a budget or would prefer a non-religious ceremony. Also known as a “direct burial” by the funeral industry, it can be a warm and personalized way for your friends and loved ones to pay your last respects to the bereaved. If you are considering a graveside service as the most appropriate way to say farewell to your loved one, you may want to consider your goals for the graveside funeral. It may be helpful to write them down – for example:

  1. To create a graveside funeral service that celebrates my loved one’s life
  2. To help myself and the other survivors express our grief, share memories, and offer comfort to one another
  3. To ensure that the deceased’s body is treated with respect and his/her last wishes are carried out as he/she would have wanted (i.e., if they would have preferred a traditional casket burial or crematorium services)

Planning a Graveside Service: A Helpful Checklist

As anyone who has been faced with the loss of a loved one, it is one of the most emotional times in our lives. There are many funeral and cremation services available, and many options to consider. However, planning a graveside service for the bereaved can be streamlined if you visualize the kind of service you want. Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when planning a graveside memorial service:

  • Choose a time and a date you would like to have the graveside burial service.
  • Decide how formal you would like the graveside committal service to be. A pastor, priest, rabbi, or other speaker can conduct a traditional service. However, you may also choose to conduct an informal graveside funeral, asking friends and loved ones to come forward and speak about their memories of the deceased.
  • Bear in mind the deceased individual’s religious belief and incorporate those traditions in the ceremony, if desired.
  • If you desire, make arrangements for special musical pieces or songs, if appropriate. Try to select something that was a favorite of the departed, or music that is meaningful to your family’s traditions, customs or ethnic heritage.
  • Notify family and friends of the exact time, date and location of the burial service. Be sure you include the name of the cemetery, as well as instructions; including a map is also helpful.
  • Make sure that a canopy or tent is available to protect your mourners from strong sun or inclement weather conditions. In addition, be sure that there are chairs available for the elderly and for the immediate family (a funeral director can assist you with these details).
  • Begin the graveside service ceremony on time and try to keep it relatively brief. Remember that some people will stand throughout the service.

 

In addition, making online funeral arrangements can further ease the burden and difficult choices you may be faced with at this time of grief. At FuneralAgent.com, we are here to assist you with making all of your arrangements – whether you require a graveside funeral service or cremation funeral services, we provide a one-stop online solution to all of your funeral arrangement needs. With over a century of experience, our caring and compassionate staff is here to assist you with every last element involved – from planning a cremation or traditional funeral to arranging all of the details with your church, synagogue, temple or place of worship, our licensed funeral directors will attend to each and every detail, allowing you to spend time with your loved ones. Whether you are looking to plan a Christian funeral, Jewish funeral services, a Muslim burial Ceremony, or a Hindu funeral ritual, our compassionate, knowledgeable staff members are available to help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – call one of us today for a consultation and leave the rest to us.