What Is A Funeral

Funeral San Diego

When a person says the word “funeral” within no time, you will have an image created in your mind about what a funeral seems to be. The image created in your mind comes through numerous sources like culture, the society you reside, geographical place, your life experiences, and your faith. A funeral service in one country varies from that of another. Also, there are many vital differences between the funerals held in different regions of San Diego.  Learn more about AAA Cremation & Burial and funerals – Funeral San Diego.

Yet, there are differences, there are few things common to these funeral services San Diego. We request to go on reading further to understand the answer to the question “what is a funeral?”If you have any questions regarding the information provided here, we are just a call away. One of our funeral experts will be happy to help you with the wide range of funeral ceremonies.

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What Makes a Funeral?

Irrespective of where the funeral takes place, there is an integrated process. The process involves the beginning, middle, and end. Every stage of the funeral is designed in a manner that engages the attendees with activities that will change their status in the community, offers mourners a mass grieving experience, and cherish the life lived. It is a socially-accepted process for community members to express and show their social attachments.

As per anthropologists, a funeral is a rite of passage. It impacts all people involved and also the deceased. The status of the deceased changes to a great extent, from a living and contributing community member to the one who contributed in the past and is now just a memory. Moreover, the status of every survivor, especially the immediate family, changes. Funeral services San Diego are the beginning of the mourning period for the deceased family members, marking this transformation in a distinctively acknowledged way.

It can be said that the main purpose of the funeral is to acknowledge the change. The fact is that human beings have difficulty tackling such profound transformations as the death of the internal person of the group. Considering this perspective, it becomes simple for you to know the significance of ceremonially acknowledging such a transformation.

These days, the funeral traditions have undergone a great transformation from an emotional time of grieving to a more of celebration of the event through remembering all the good times spent. Families consider sharing their positive stories and how it has impacted their life.

Funeral Services in Our Area – Funeral San Diego

For individuals and families residing in San Diego, funeral services San Diego can refer to lots of things. Some stick to the “traditional funeral”, while others consider the same traditional services as the sad and unfulfilling event. You will be glad to know that there are various alternatives. These days, final goodbye commemorative services range from the traditional funeral to a highly popular celebration-of-life and memorial service. If you still realize the value of such acknowledgment of loss, speak to us. Call us to speak with our experienced funeral services San Diego expert. We extend our support in various parts of San Diego with our funeral services in National City, funeral services in Miramar, and other such locations.

Preparing for a Funeral Service

Could there be anything more difficult than preparing for a funeral? Certainly, such an end-of-life event is hard to look forward to with any great enthusiasm. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a member of the bereaved inner circle of close family, a co-worker, neighbor or family friend; preparing for a funeral service takes time and forethought.

If you’re preparing to attend a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life, the following tips and suggestions can certainly help in your funeral preparations. Naturally, if you have any questions about preparing for a funeral, you should call us. We would be pleased to serve you in any way we can.

What Does “Get Prepared” Really Mean?

There’s a line in William Shakespeare’s play “Henry V”, which cuts to the heart of preparedness: “All things are ready, if our mind be so.” Readying your mind means strengthening it for what’s ahead: all the people, sights, sounds and strong emotions of the day.

In other words, getting ready to attend an end-of-life service is not just a matter of picking out the right clothes to wear; it’s also essential to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for the occasion. After all, you are going to be there to support the bereaved family, as well as the others who attend; and that takes inner strength and emotional fortitude. Never underestimate the importance of your presence there—to everyone in attendance.

To make it simple for you to find the information you need, we’ve grouped those details together under two headings: Dressing for the Occasion and Getting Physically, Mentally and Emotionally Prepared.

Dressing the Occasion

What is expected of us when attending a funeral service today is far different from the expectations of those living in the Victorian era. According to Alison Petch, a researcher Oxford University, “In those years, black clothing was worn for the funeral and for a year following the death…by close relatives, gradually being replaced by other dark colors.”

As we moved into the twentieth century, the Roman and Victorian demands became less strict. “People attending a funeral wore semi-formal clothing, which for adult men would usually mean a suit and tie in dark colors”.

Without a doubt, these strict special dress requirements have fallen by the wayside, at least to some degree. Although many websites proclaim that black is the right color to wear for a funeral today, wearing a color other than black isn’t seen as disrespectful; but you want to avoid wearing brightly colored or wildly patterned fabrics (unless actually requested to do so by the family). And for women or girls, a modest appearance is preferred.

Certainly, if you’ve got additional questions about what to wear to a funeral, call us.

Get Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally Prepared | Funeral San Diego

The death of a loved one is among the most stressful experiences we will ever endure. The early days of bereavement, are a time of frayed nerves, when emotions run high and hours of restful sleep are hard to find. These difficult days are then followed by the funeral service (where, even though you’re grief stricken, you’re expected to perform with some social grace). How can you possibly survive; or better yet thrive, during such trials as these? Here are some suggestions we believe you’ll find valuable.

Maintain a state of “mindful awareness.”

The tendency when something bad happens to us, like the death of a loved one, is to detach from our physical, emotional and social selves. To “get numb, and stay that way” – but this effort to separate ourselves from what’s happening isn’t always in our best interest. Instead, you should seek to be “mindful”: to keep your awareness on the present moment (not the past, and certainly not the future); all the while acknowledging (and accepting) your feelings, thoughts, and bodily reactions to your loss. Only then can you, in the words of Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer, accept the things that cannot be changed, have the courage to change the things which can (and should) be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Certainly, you cannot change the fact your loved one has died; but you can change (at least to some degree) the way you react to the loss—and that takes a certain sense of mindful self-awareness.

Do everything you can to stay physically healthy.

The list of physical symptoms of grief is long: fatigue, body aches and pains, loss or change of appetite, shortness of breath, digestive issues, feelings of heaviness, and tightness in your throat or chest. When faced with an onslaught of physical symptoms like these, it’s hard to know exactly how to deal with them. The first step is to recognize and name what your body is experiencing. Only then can you do something to change the way you’re reacting to the loss. During these days before the funeral:

• Stay hydrated: drink eight (8 ounce) glasses of water.
• Eat regularly: small meals and snacks are often better-accepted than large, calorie-laden ones.
• Rest regularly: you may find nights are long and sleepless, so don’t be adverse to taking short cat-naps throughout the day.
• Move your body: take a walk or hike, go to the gym, or enjoy a leisurely swim.
• Nurture your senses: listen to music or the sounds that abound in nature.
• Engage in prayer or meditation: tap into, or get reacquainted with, your spiritual side.
• Reduce your list of necessary activities and chores: now is the time to delegate tasks to others, so you can devote your time to self-care.

Reach out to your support network.

Neighbours, friends and family members can be your lifeline right now—and some of them may even be coming to you right now to see how they can help. Don’t turn them away; instead, give them the opportunity to give the gift of service. Allow them to walk this path with you for as long as, and in whatever ways, they can. The same goes for the network of professional caregivers: don’t neglect to turn to clergy, your family physician, therapist, or grief counsellor if you feel your bereavement to be more than you can handle (now, or at any time in the future).

Prepare to speak less and listen more.

End-of-life ceremonies (whether a “traditional” funeral, memorial service or celebration of life) offer those gathered the chance to share their feelings, tell stories and take comfort from one another. Don’t spend too much time talking, unless it’s to share something truly meaningful (about the deceased and your relationship to him or her) with others; instead, be ready to listen with a whole heart. This is a time for respectful interactions with other mourners; a time for focusing on the life of the deceased, and also a time for renewing the ties which brought you all together in the first place.

Let Us Help with Your Preparations – Funeral San Diego

Who better to turn to for assistance in preparing for a funeral? We’ve got the experience and insights which could make this situation easier for you and those you love. If you have questions about preparing for a funeral service—either as a member of the family or as a guest—we’re here to support you in any way we can. We’re standing at the ready; simply call us and download our General Price List below.

Traditional Funeral Services – Funeral San Diego

The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services

A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.

• Visitation – This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
• Funeral Service – This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
• Committal Service – This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
• Funeral Reception – Many choose to host this post-service gathering (or repast) at a reception hall. This is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support.