Graveside Services
The last item to talk about concerning the services’ is the graveside service. The graveside service is where everybody says their final good-byes. Everybody gathers around the cemetery plot and watches while the mortuary personnel lower the casket into the ground. Or if you prefer, you can gather around for a period of time, then have the casket lowered when everyone is gone.
Graveside services also apply to those who choose to do a cremation. Instead of being lowered into the ground or into a mausoleum, the ashes are scattered or put to rest in the chosen place.
There are several traditions that can take place during this section of the funeral. Some may decide to release doves or balloons, and some sprinkle dirt on top of the casket one by one. Pretty much anything you want can be done. One of the most touching examples of a graveside service that I have heard of was the graveside service of a little boy who had passed away prematurely. The family wrote messages on small strips of paper and put them in balloons filled with helium. Each family member then released the balloon into the air and let it float toward heaven symbolic of their final goodbye.
Graveside Service OnlyMany people will elect to do the graveside service only to save on expenses. Instead of having three separate services they will combine all three into one at the graveside. Other than a direct burial, this is the cheapest earth burial plan possible.
Choose graveside services only. Elect to do the graveside service only with the mortuary you choose. You will save money because you won’t have the funeral and viewing charges, and you can still hold a memorial service before or afterward without the body of your loved one being present. When attending a graveside service, you will notice several props like tents, chairs, and pulpits. This is traditionally provided by the funeral home you are using. To help save on setup expenses you may consider providing your own. This may or may not be worth the trouble because these items are often included in the graveside service fee. Make sure you ask the funeral planner if it would be possible to provide your own and get a discount. If it isn’t a huge amount of trouble, provide your own table and chairs.
One Final Note Concerning Graveside Services Be very careful when selecting a time to perform the graveside services. If you elect to have the opening and/or closing services after normal business hours or on the weekend, you will pay an additional premium. Try and plan ahead so that you can have them take place sometime between 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday.
Graveside services also apply to those who choose to do a cremation. Instead of being lowered into the ground or into a mausoleum, the ashes are scattered or put to rest in the chosen place.
There are several traditions that can take place during this section of the funeral. Some may decide to release doves or balloons, and some sprinkle dirt on top of the casket one by one. Pretty much anything you want can be done. One of the most touching examples of a graveside service that I have heard of was the graveside service of a little boy who had passed away prematurely. The family wrote messages on small strips of paper and put them in balloons filled with helium. Each family member then released the balloon into the air and let it float toward heaven symbolic of their final goodbye.
Graveside Service OnlyMany people will elect to do the graveside service only to save on expenses. Instead of having three separate services they will combine all three into one at the graveside. Other than a direct burial, this is the cheapest earth burial plan possible.
Choose graveside services only. Elect to do the graveside service only with the mortuary you choose. You will save money because you won’t have the funeral and viewing charges, and you can still hold a memorial service before or afterward without the body of your loved one being present. When attending a graveside service, you will notice several props like tents, chairs, and pulpits. This is traditionally provided by the funeral home you are using. To help save on setup expenses you may consider providing your own. This may or may not be worth the trouble because these items are often included in the graveside service fee. Make sure you ask the funeral planner if it would be possible to provide your own and get a discount. If it isn’t a huge amount of trouble, provide your own table and chairs.
One Final Note Concerning Graveside Services Be very careful when selecting a time to perform the graveside services. If you elect to have the opening and/or closing services after normal business hours or on the weekend, you will pay an additional premium. Try and plan ahead so that you can have them take place sometime between 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday.