Planning a funeral can be overwhelming for the loved ones as they are asked to decide what type of service they want for the deceased, while they are mourning. A funeral director can be a huge help when planning the service as they can go over each step of the process with the family or friends, so every aspect of the funeral is covered. Here is a list of some of the most common types of funerals and a brief explanation of how each one works, so you can plan your loved one's funeral with as little stress as possible.

Traditional Service

A traditional funeral service will begin with a viewing of the body in a casket where family and friends are able to say their last goodbyes to the deceased. The viewing typically happens the night before the funeral, and afternoon and evening viewings are usually offered to be flexible for others' schedules. The viewing is followed by a service that is often handled by a minister or preacher. They may read passages from religious scripture. Once the funeral ends, the body is then carried to a hearse, which takes to the body to the cemetery. At the cemetery, another service will take place to commit the body to the ground, and the family is given their final chance to say goodbye.

Memorial Service

This particular type of service is done without a body being present. These types of services are done when the body has been cremated or if the body is missing or unable to be shown. The service is less expensive than a traditional service, as the costs of the viewing, casket and cemetery plot are not necessary. Some people prefer to do a combination of memorial and traditional services, and have a full service without the viewing.

Non-Traditional Service

The great thing about a funeral is that there is no rule book that you must adhere to when planning a service for a loved one. A non-traditional funeral is typically planned when the person had no religious affiliation and would have wanted an unorthodox service. These particular types of services are more structured like a party where drinks are served and people socialize with warm memories of the deceased. There is typically no structure to the service or a schedule to follow. The party is simply a way for family and friends to gather and celebrate the deceased person's life.

No matter what type of funeral you want to plan, you should always consult with a funeral director to ensure that nothing is forgotten when paying tribute to the deceased. For more information, contact a specialist like Parsippany Funeral Home Inc.