When it comes to arranging a funeral, there are different types of ways to say goodbye to your loved one. You can have a special, meaningful celebration of their life for friends and family. However, it can feel overwhelming and daunting to arrange a funeral. When you talk to the funeral director, they will discuss with you the various options you can have for your beloved passed family member. Some families decide that a graveside service would be appropriate for the deceased. It’s often chosen as the main service or can be an additional service as well as the funeral. These are different to a traditional funeral, although some aspects remain the same. Here we discuss exactly what a graveside service is and how it is different to a funeral.
What is a graveside service?
A graveside service is a service that takes place at the graveside of the deceased. In some cases, the family chooses to have a funeral to take place first at a location such as a church or center and then followed by a graveside service for friends and family. Other families decide to have a graveside service on their own. This is a ceremony which takes place by the grave and it is a lot shorter than a traditional service. A smaller number than a traditional funeral often attends it. In a lot of cases, it’s just a few close family and friends. However, it can be for larger groups if the family wants to do this.
A graveside service can include a eulogy which can be read out by the officiant or by a family member. It’s also possible to have poems or prayers depending on whether the family and the person who has passed were religious or not. The casket then will be lowered into the grave or will be buried after the graveside service. With a graveside service, it allows people to say a final goodbye to their loved one and it can be a personal, intimate way to spend a final few moments to reflect and honor the person who has died.
What are the main differences between a graveside service and a funeral?
Now we have discussed exactly what is a graveside service, we are now looking at the differences between a funeral and a graveside service, so you know whether it’s right for your deceased loved one.
It’s much shorter than a traditional funeral service
One of the main differences between the two is that a graveside service is shorter than a traditional funeral service. It might have been a preference of the person who died to have a shorter, less formal funeral. While shorter, it remains a respectful way for those who loved the person to say their goodbyes. Also, even though it’s shorter, there is an opportunity for the family to still say a few words about their loved one. They can include a few stories and a poem, which can be read by them or the officiant. Another reason why it’s shorter is because it’s outside so if the weather isn’t brilliant, it does tend to be a shorter service. While a graveside service is normally only a half hour maximum, there does tend to be a program which runs through everything that will occur at the graveside service.
The graveside service takes place outside by the grave
Another difference from a funeral is that a graveside service tends to take place outside. While a funeral normally takes place at a crematorium or a church, a graveside service tends to take place outside at the grave where the person is buried. A graveside service tends to be cheaper as the family does not have to pay the expense of hiring the hall or the church. However, you do have to take into account that the weather can be variable during the service.
Visitation doesn’t happen with a graveside service
At a traditional funeral, there will normally be a viewing of the casket before the funeral begins. The family and friends of the deceased will get a chance to pay their respects and say a few words about the person who died. This tends to happen the day before the funeral or just before the funeral occurs at the church. However, visitation of the casket does not occur as the family and friends go straight to the graveside for the service. There is still an opportunity to pay your respects when you get to the graveside service. But a visitation or viewing does not take place the same way as a traditional funeral. Some families prefer this as it’s more personal for the family and doesn’t want such a public event.
Why choose a graveside service?
Here are a few of the reasons why you might want to choose a graveside service rather than a traditional funeral.
It’s a lot more intimate for the family
Some families would rather have a smaller, more personal service for their loved one. It feels a lot more intimate and special for the person. With the event being a lot smaller, it can be personal. The person who has died might have requested a smaller service for their close family to pay their respects. Also, if the person who passed didn’t have many family members or friends, a graveside service works well as a smaller service.
It’s a cheaper event
When you have a traditional funeral, you will have to pay for the venue where the funeral will take place. With a graveside service, it’s a lot cheaper as this takes place by the grave so there is no additional cost for a center. Also, you will not have to pay for transportation from the funeral to the graveside if the service already takes place here. And you will not have to pay for the casket to be moved to the grave. So it’s a lot more affordable for the family of the deceased to have a graveside service.
