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Most religious and cultural groups in North America follow some distinct funeral rites. So, here are the Common Funeral Culture and traditions in US that is mostly observed:

Visitation

Funeral service

Burial service

Gathering.

This varies depending on different religions. Most US cultural groups follow these rites. Before the actual funeral service a visitation is also called a wake and it takes place two or three days. It must be observed that unlike some Asian cultures like Hindus, Muslims, etc. first. Over a period of a few days US funeral rites do not take place at once.

The body will be embalmed and dressed up in formal clothes. In a casket chosen by family members and kept on display then it will be placed. At the funeral parlour, home, community hall or a religious place of worship this happens. With religious symbols like a cross or rosary jewelry may also be placed on the body along. In the casket these maybe removed prior to burial or cremation although most people will leave the religious ornaments to be buried.

A visitor’s book will be kept that people can sign and write messages of condolence. Pictures of the deceased in happier times will be displayed. These days, a DVD is often prepared with happy memories of the deceased with family and friends and this can be played throughout the visitation. The viewing of the body can be either open or closed casket. In open casket, the body will be embalmed and dressed with make up for the viewing. However, if the body is badly damaged due to a fire, accident or illness or if family members cannot bear to see the face of their dearly departed loved one, then a closed casket is used.

Viewing the deceased and comforting family members the time and date of the visitation will normally be announced and friends and relatives can come and spend time. Flowers maybe sent for the viewing and placed around the casket. Jewish people who make up a large part of American culture never display the body. The funeral takes place soon after death embalming is also not allowed. To the deceased’s home  similarly, flowers are not taken to a Jewish visitation although a food or fruit basket maybe sent. 

At the funeral parlour on the day of the burial, a funeral service may be held at the church or other places of worship, community hall. From the scriptures read a priest will conduct a formal service, hymns will be sung and a passage. The family will often have the visitation, funeral and burial service on the same day to facilitate other elderly friends to attend the service if an elderly person has died. At the gravesite, crematorium or mausoleum burial service also called the ‘Vale of Rest’ takes place. To the burial site a funeral procession usually takes place from the site of the visitation.

Military rites will be observed at the final resting place if a military person has died. From the church  pallbearers – usually male close friends and relatives – will carry the coffin. Which will bear the casket to the burial site they will place it in the hearse. The pallbearers will carry the coffin from the hearse to the site here again. Most religions allow the casket to be closed although sometimes, it maybe opened one last time for everyone gathered to say a final goodbye at this time.

Now, further prayers maybe said by the priest before the body is finally placed in the ground, tomb or cremated. While usually the jewelry worn on the deceased will be left, sometimes – especially for cremation – these maybe removed. The final funeral tradition observed in the US is a gathering or memorial service. This is a time to celebrate and remember the life of the deceased. It can be held a few days or weeks after the actual funeral service.

About the deceased, tell stories, read poems and sing songs close friends and family attend this memorial where they can reminisce.  This need not be a religious service and will often be accompanied by dinner. At the funeral service itself traditions dispense with this memorial service and eulogies maybe said. People will write a living will leaving behind specific instructions as to the type of wake, visitation, funeral and memorial service they want sometimes.

Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma. For more information on cremation Guatemala and funeral home Guatemala, visit his site today.

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