The Christian Values In Funeral Service
Friday, 25 June 2010 07:32 | 
Written by Tom Tree |
Certain elements of a funeral are expected to take place when a person who is a member of a Christian family passes away. There are traditions that have been part of Christian funerals for centuries. Others have more recently become customary and are now frequently integrated into the services. The most important ethnic traditions in funeral service - Christian family members will want to be sure to include is the reading of scripture.
Certain elements of a funeral are expected to take place when a person who is a member of a Christian family passes away. There are traditions that have been part of Christian funerals for centuries. Others have more recently become customary and are now frequently integrated into the services. The most important ethnic traditions in funeral service - Christian family members will want to be sure to include is the reading of scripture.
The location for a funeral is either a church or funeral home. The body of the deceased person is taken to a funeral parlor and remains there until it is time for services to commence. It is cared for and prepared by what used to be called an undertaker, and is now referred to as a funeral director.
The body is then placed in a casket and kept at the home if that is where the funeral will take place. If the service is to take place at a church, it is held at the home until just before the funeral, and taken to the church in a type of automobile called a hearse. If the body is going to be cremated, the service can be conducted without the body present, or the cremation can take place after the service is over.
Many times the evening before the funeral service, there is an open house of sorts called a visitation, viewing, or wake. This is held so that the immediate family of the deceased can get together and other friends and mourners gather to offer condolences to the family and pay their respects, usually with an open casket where the body can be seen.
An obituary is a notice placed in a newspaper that gives details about the deceased and their surviving family. The time and address for the funeral service and visitation is noted in the obituary. Sometimes, the service is private and is only for immediate family. If this is the case, that part of the obituary can be omitted.
A minister or pastor traditionally conducts the service, regardless if it is held at a funeral home or a church. Scripture from the Bible is read to give hope and encouragement to the mourners in attendance. After the service, if the deceased is to be buried, not cremated, there is a graveside service where family and friends gather at the cemetery where the grave is located, and watch as the body is lowered into the ground. Following the graveside and funeral services, those attending return to the funeral home or church for a brief time of fellowship and remembering of the deceased.
Certain elements of a funeral are expected to take place when a person who is a member of a Christian family passes away. There are traditions that have been part of Christian funerals for centuries. Others have more recently become customary and are now frequently integrated into the services. The most important ethnic traditions in funeral service - Christian family members will want to be sure to include is the reading of scripture.
The location for a funeral is either a church or funeral home. The body of the deceased person is taken to a funeral parlor and remains there until it is time for services to commence. It is cared for and prepared by what used to be called an undertaker, and is now referred to as a funeral director.
The body is then placed in a casket and kept at the home if that is where the funeral will take place. If the service is to take place at a church, it is held at the home until just before the funeral, and taken to the church in a type of automobile called a hearse. If the body is going to be cremated, the service can be conducted without the body present, or the cremation can take place after the service is over.
Many times the evening before the funeral service, there is an open house of sorts called a visitation, viewing, or wake. This is held so that the immediate family of the deceased can get together and other friends and mourners gather to offer condolences to the family and pay their respects, usually with an open casket where the body can be seen.
An obituary is a notice placed in a newspaper that gives details about the deceased and their surviving family. The time and address for the funeral service and visitation is noted in the obituary. Sometimes, the service is private and is only for immediate family. If this is the case, that part of the obituary can be omitted.
A minister or pastor traditionally conducts the service, regardless if it is held at a funeral home or a church. Scripture from the Bible is read to give hope and encouragement to the mourners in attendance. After the service, if the deceased is to be buried, not cremated, there is a graveside service where family and friends gather at the cemetery where the grave is located, and watch as the body is lowered into the ground. Following the graveside and funeral services, those attending return to the funeral home or church for a brief time of fellowship and remembering of the deceased.