Is a formal or informal ceremony or ritual prior to burial. A funeral service provides an ideal platform for the closure of family and friends. Although your faith or culture may dictate some of the elements of a funeral service, it is customary to personalize other elements of the service. At a funeral service, a casket or urn is present. You may choose to have the casket either open or closed.

Customarily held the night before, or immediately prior to, the funeral service, the visitation – also called a wake or a viewing – provides a way for friends and acquaintances to pay their individual respects and offer their condolences to the family. As with the funeral service, you may want to decide if you want an open or closed casket; should you wish one to be present.

At a memorial, or tribute service, a casket or urn is usually present. Otherwise similar to a funeral or visitation, a memorial service gives family and friends a time to come together and celebrate the memory of the deceased’s life.

A graveside service is held at the gravesite just prior to the burial of the casket or urn. This final service usually consists of a eulogy, final remarks, prayers or in memoriam sentiments. This service may, in certain instances, occur after, or in place of, a funeral service.

There is no better way to honor military service to our country than with the inclusion of Military Honors. The ceremony begins with the draping of Old Glory over the veteran’s casket. At graveside, military Guards of Honor fire a volley of shots known as the gun salute. Taps, also known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby” or “Day is Done,” is played. The flag is ceremoniously folded and presented to the family as a lasting memento of the deceased’s service to his or her country. The Military Honors are provided by our local Legion Clubs and VFW Service Clubs, as well as the National Guard. Representatives are also sent by the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy, as necessary.