The loss of a loved one is an emotionally challenging time for any family. Funeral services are crucial in providing closure and honoring the departed with dignity and respect. Funeral practices can vary based on cultural, religious, and personal preferences, ranging from traditional to modern or less formal functions. Here are the different types, the components involved in the ceremonies, the associated costs, and some companies that provide funeral services in difficult times.

Types of funeral services
A funeral service may vary in type. Broadly, a family may opt for any of the following services based on their cultural and personal preferences:

• Traditional funeral service:This includes the visitation of guests who pay their respects to the deceased and meet the grieving family to offer condolences before the funeral service.
• Formal funeral ceremony: This may occur at the church, a funeral home, or at the graveside. It usually includes prayers, hymns, eulogies, music, and any other traditional and cultural rituals.
• Committal service: This includes final prayers, a few words of remembrance, vehicle procession to the cemetery, and placing the urn in the designated place.
• Memorial service: This is held at the burial or post-cremation without the presence of the deceased person’s body. It allows families to choose a time and location that best suit their preferences and allows them to focus solely on honoring their loved one’s memory.
• Graveside service: It is held at the burial site, usually with a gathering of close friends and family who offer readings and prayers. This service is relatively inexpensive and simple.
• Green or natural funerals:These are environmentally conscious. This funeral service focuses on eco-friendly practices, such as using biodegradable caskets, avoiding embalming chemicals, and selecting burial sites in designated green cemeteries or natural settings.
• Direct cremation: This includes the burial of the deceased, while a reception or memorial service may be held by the family at a later date.
• Funeral reception: The guests and family gather to share memories of the deceased and extend support to the grieving family.

Funeral service costs
Various factors and requirements determine funeral service costs. Families should inquire about the costs of services and any additional fees associated with specific requests.

• Casket or urn selection: Caskets and urns come in various materials and designs, significantly impacting the overall cost. Families should choose options that best fit their budget and preferences.
• Embalming and body preparation: Embalming involves cleaning, sanitization, and preservation costs.
• Cemetery or crematory fees: The cost may cover grave sites, burial plots or niche fees, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces, cremation fees, burial vaults, and interment services.
• Additional services and merchandise: The overall costs may include printed materials, flowers, crypt plates, outer burial containers, memorial markers, monuments, letters, bronze plaques, emblems, transportation, and professional fees.

On average, viewing and burial costs may range from $7,000 to $9,000, but many factors, as mentioned above, can vary the funeral cost.

Funeral service companies
It’s advisable to opt for services offered by funeral companies since they may include funeral pre-planning services and funeral insurance that can alleviate the financial burden of loved ones, along with the options mentioned above. They may also offer grief support resources and counseling services to help families cope with their loss and navigate the grieving process. Some prominent funeral companies, like Citizens, Inc., and Security National Financial Corporation, focus on professionalism, empathy, and personalized service. With a nationwide network of funeral homes and cemeteries, they provide many options for honoring the deceased.