Funeral Ceremonies

The ever-increasing popularity of funeral ceremonies is a testament to the public's desire to break out of the traditional funeral mold. Funeral ceremonies are positive life-affirming celebrations, the focus being on "celebration" instead of "service." Since these affairs are customized and much less formal than a traditional funeral, they tend to be very diverse endeavors.

Some funeral ceremonies may include non-traditional cultural customs or religious rituals. A ceremony may still be as formal as a traditional funeral, with respect to the presence of the body and a structured program. Only, it might also incorporate a different symbolic practice or way of worship.

Usually, one speaks of a funeral ceremony when referring to any non-conventional approach. One family, for example, furnished a chapel with their deceased mother's living room furniture (complete with her favorite chair) because she was known among her friends for her hospitality.

The Desire to Honor a Life

Most families, whether they choose a traditional funeral or a funeral ceremony, are interested in paying tribute to the life of the deceased. Consumers who opt for creating a funeral ceremony are less interested in formality and more interested in crafting a service that is reflective of the personality of the deceased and/or the lifestyle of the family.