Funerals have evolved over thousands of years because
they offer us a chance to express and work through
our emotions, gather the support of those around
us, and celebrate a life that has been lived and
has touched us. Sociologists tell us that through
time there have been four culturally universal touchstones.
They are - family, government, pride in one's culture,
and funeral rites.
Why?
The funeral offers a socially
accepted climate for mourning and gives those
in attendance the opportunity to receive and express
love, grieve, and support. The funeral offers
us a chance to gain emotional support through
sharing and also confirms the reality that a death
has occurred. A funeral allows friends to show
respect for family and for the deceased. The funeral
provides, through the sharing of memories, the
opportunity for a farewell by means of ritual
and provides a dramatic presentation of the fact
that a life has been lived. The funeral is another
ritual celebrating life's major events such as
baptism, first communion, confirmation, graduation,
wedding and retirement. The funeral meets the
needs of those who mourn - socially, theologically,
and psychologically. The funeral provides an avenue
of stability through a social support network.
There are three primary reasons
why people attend funerals: To recognize the fact
that a life was lived, to remember the deceased,
and reminisce on how your life was touched by
theirs.
In every culture and subculture,
and throughout time, we find these common parts
of the funeral:
 The
announcement and notification that a death
has occurred
The
care of the deceased
The
gathering together of friends and family for
support
The
ceremony or ritual
The
memorialization
The
method of final disposition of the body |
For more information or further
discussion please feel free to contact
us.
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