13 Essence of Ceremony elements
Casket Or Coffin
- A coffin (or casket) is the vessel that carries the body.
- The ultimate symbol of death.
- Spending time choosing a coffin that reflects your loved one and then creating a ceremony around it can be a comforting and useful process.
- A coffin offers physical acts: carrying in and out of the ceremony, and lowering into the grave.
- Coffins can be wrapped in images on the outside and now a range of interiors that offer warmth and touch are available.
Flowers
- Flowers are a visual expression of our love, our sympathy and our grief.
- Flowers bring colour, freshness and fragrance to a funeral.
- Favourite colours and special flowers can be used in a casket display, in the venue welcoming people, or a single bloom placed on the coffin.
- Close friends and family may wish to show their support and caring by bringing or sending flowers especially if they are unable to attend.
Candles
- The ritual of lighting a candle to pay tribute to a life past has long been a part of funeral ceremony.
- Light a candle to begin the funeral.
- Have more than one candle.
- Having a burning candle signifies that the memory lives on.
- Extinguish the candle to end the ceremony and keep it to relight in the days that follow.
Photos
- A photo frame with a picture of the deceased leaves no doubt who the service is for and who lies in the coffin.
- Photos capture memories and significant life events.
- This is a visual connection and may include and engage the people attending.
- A photo tribute playing during the ceremony is a visual representation of someone’s life.
- It portrays so much without words.
Fabric/Drapery
- Soft fabric is used inside the coffin.
- This is an opportunity to consider spending time with your loved one, alone or with family and friends in support.
- Your loved one could go home, to a place of worship or stay at the funeral home.
- Seeing and touching, being near the your loved one can allow you to process the reality of death and help express your feelings.
Ashes Urn
- If cremation is the choice for final disposition, an ashes urn is something to hold your loved one’s ashes in.
- Whether it’s for display or interment, there is a variety of different urns and materials available.
Memorial Book
- A memorial book offers you the opportunity to record your funeral day.
- Include photos, letters, a service sheet and signatures.
- Copies can be sent to those who are not there.
- In the days that follow, having a reminder of the day can be a source of comfort.
Personal Items
- Personal items representing the interests and passions of the deceased is where families can really make the funeral a very relevant and personal time.
- Use signature items that people recognize and connect with.
- Items that tell the story of achievements in their life’s journey.
- Also allowing other people to contribute items and show long-forgotten treasures.
Embalming Fluid
- The purpose of embalming is for preservation, presentation and sanitation.
- The purpose of embalming offers you time.
- Time for people to attend, time for you to adjust to the reality of death.
AWords
- Words connect at the funeral ceremony.
- The telling of someone’s life story allows the moment of remembering, cherishing.
- And so triggering memories and allowing everybody to share and tell.
- Words can come from the Bible, poetry, a verse from spiritual sources, favourite books, letters and prayers.
Music
- Music has a way of touching us profoundly.
- We listen to music at funerals to set the mood and connect with the congregation.
- Music can be a very personal choice.
- Music can be an action, singing, and playing at a funeral. It can be a tribute or a gift.
- Music offers so much opportunity to personalise your event.
Remembrance Jewellery
- Jewellery can contain a portion of ashes to keep your loved one close, and allows you to express creativity and morning in a personal manner.
- A portion of ashes can be stored in additional jewellery and divided up between loved ones.
Tea Cup Or Coffee Mug
- A gathering can be arranged before or after the funeral, where food and drinks can be served.
- This allows you to spend some time with loved ones and friends that you may not have had time to speak to at the funeral.
