Funeral

Funeral is a ceremony connected with the final disposition of a corpse, such as a burial or cremation, with the attendant observances. Funerals can vary widely in ritual and protocol depending on culture, religion, and personal preference.

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, the family will often hold a viewing prior to the funeral. The body is traditionally dressed in the decedent's best clothes. In recent times there has been more variation in what the decedent is dressed in – some people choose to be dressed in clothing more reflective of how they dressed in life.

Religious Practices

Different religions have different customs for funerals. For example, in Christianity, a funeral is typically a time of mourning and celebration of the deceased's life. In Islam, funerals are very somber affairs, and are considered a religious duty.

Funeral Services

Funeral services can vary widely, but they often include readings from scripture or literature, hymns or other types of music, prayers, and eulogies or remembrances of the deceased.

Burial and Cremation

The two most common methods of disposition of the body are burial and cremation. Burial is the act of placing the corpse into the ground, usually in a cemetery. Cremation is the process of reducing the body to ashes and bone fragments through the application of intense heat.

Funeral Industry

The funeral industry includes businesses that provide services related to the death of a person, such as funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories. The industry also includes companies that manufacture products used in funerals, such as caskets and urns.

See Also

• Death
• Mourning
• Cemetery
• Cremation

References

Funeral Resources
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