As mentioned on the
Traditional Funeral Services page, there are four basic components which make up the conventional approach to funerals:
- A Visitation
- The Funeral Service
- A Committal Service
- The Funeral Reception
With that being said, a traditional funeral is a series of events; it's a ritualized process where the deceased, and the attendees, pass from one social status to another. According to the online article "Six Characteristics of Helpful Ceremonies", by William Hoy, Director of Grief Connect, this is done by including:
- Symbols of shared significance intended to communicate beyond words
- Ritual actions shared by a group of individuals
- Gathered people providing comfort to one another
- Connection to heritage through recognized readings
- Increased physical contact between attendees provide comfort
- Witnessing the transition of the body through burial or cremation