Meaningful Services

A funeral is so much more than a way to say goodbye; it's an opportunity to celebrate the life of someone special.

The funeral gives us permission to grieve. Our society seems to see grief as an enemy to be avoided. The funeral process establishes significance. That is what the funeral is for and that is the value of the funeral process. The funeral helps to establish both personal significance and social significance.

Significance is best established when the funeral focuses on the life of the person. We are now learning the value of personalizing the funeral for this purpose. Families now feel free to eulogize their loved one or to ask a close friend to give the eulogy. Many families bring personal items and pictures to the service to further personalize the event. Music is also more likely to be a song the person loved or a song that meant a great deal to the family.

For additional ideas on personalizing a funeral, please contact your funeral director.

What did the person like to do?

Often people have hobbies that become more than just a casual pastime. Their activity could have been as much a part of who they were as their smile. Why not showcase that important part of their life during the funeral?

Incorporating a hobby can be as simple as:

Displaying items used for their hobby; e.g. sports equipment, gardening tools, or collections.
Personalizing the casket or urn with a symbol of their hobby.
Displaying trophies or awards they won.
Creating a picture board or presentation featuring pictures of them engaged in their hobby.
Having someone speak about the person's passion for the hobby.

By adding these or other personal touches to a funeral, the service becomes a reflection of the person's life and personality.

What was the person like as an individual?

One way to enhance a funeral is by bringing a piece of the person's personality to life. Consider what made that person special, what made them who they were? Then find ways to link their individuality to traditional aspects of a funeral service.

Other themes you may want to consider:

Military honors for a member of the armed forces
Tailgate party for a sports enthusiast
Harley-Davidson rally for the Harley owner
Farmer
Gardener
Card player, etc.
Create a DVD or Power point to be played at the visitation

What was the person like as a professional?

Many people take great pride in their career. Perhaps they dedicated a lifetime to a profession that transformed into more than just a job. If this holds true for your loved one, you may want to consider ways to include their professional life into their funeral service.

For a fire person/police officer:

Incorporate any honors or traditions that their department has established.
Use fire trucks or police vehicles in the procession.
Have bagpipers play at the visitation or service.
Display their uniform and equipment.

Was the person spiritual?

Through organized religion or personal beliefs, most people have some sense of spirituality in their life. Often those values are from the very core of who the person was in life. Therefore, you may feel it is important to incorporate the individual's sense of spirituality into their funeral service.

Following are ideas on how to incorporate spirituality into a funeral service:

Hold the service at the person's parish or religious facility.
Have someone read excerpts from scripture
Read a prayer that touches on their key beliefs.
Include sacred music from the religion in the service.