Funeral services have been around for as long as people have been passing on. Cremation services in Harrison City, PA has been around for centuries. If there’s one thing that remains steady and true in the funeral industry as a whole, it’s that people want to honor their loved ones after they pass on. Both funeral and cremation services meet needs and both are honorable, respectful options. When you think about the two options, funerals often feel more rooted in traditions. America is known as a melting pot with tons of different cultures and that means that the funerals in this country have many different cultural backgrounds. Those traditions come together to make modern funeral ceremonies today.
When you hear someone talk about a funeral, you generally think about this traditional option. It usually starts with a visitation service, which is like an open house where people come and go, view the person who died, say goodbye, and comfort the family. This generally takes place the day before the funeral, or earlier that same day. Then, the funeral service occurs and there are often readings, songs, and a eulogy involved. Once the funeral, which is a somber, formal affair, is complete, the family and guests process to the cemetery in their cars for a shorter burial service. Then, once the person is cared for, the family will often have a reception with food so they can spend more time together supporting one another through this hard time.
When America was first born, people would be displayed at their home before their funeral services took place. Family members would even pose with the body and take pictures as if the person were still alive to remember them. That practice changed drastically over the years as it become harder to arrange and people find taking pictures with the deceased distasteful today. Some families, however, do like to have a memorial in their home, or perhaps a reception after the funeral in that location today.
Before funerals were technologically advanced and embalming with fully put into place in modern ways, people would use flowers to mask odors. But using flowers in funerals to honor someone started in Victorian eras and since flowers have so many different meanings and are so lovely to view, it has continued on today.
When you have to plan a final service for a loved one, it’s nice to know where the traditions came from and why they are still in place today. You don’t have to keep up with them, if you don’t want to. When you plan Cremation services in Harrison City, PA for a loved one, you can do whatever you feel is best for that person and for the rest of your family. Knowing the traditions can help you figure out what you appreciate and what you might want to do differently. The funeral home professionals are always there to help you with your questions.