Traditional Burial Customs

The traditional ground burial is currently the preference of most Americans although the option for cremation is on the rise due to its cost effectiveness. Although ground burial still incurrs more costs, it is interesting to note that most people still prefer this method. With the current U.S. economy, it is estimated that the cremation method will continue to increase sharply.

In the traditional burial method, the surviving family members would choose a vault (burial container in the cemetery) and casket, purchase the cemetery plot, and continues on to plan the funeral service in accordance to the loved one's last desires, if any exists.

Most religious ceremonies have rituals to pay the last respects to the dead however this is also changing in today's trends. There are more famlies who want to make the final celebration of their loved one's life more meaningful to those who are directly involved.

Every funeral service is different since families will have certain individual needs that they want to incorporate into the funeral service. The greatest need present today is the need for families to be able to work through the grief of losing a loved one.

Families want to identify the deceased's place in the life that they lived and the values that they held while living life. Sometimes, there is a need to re-establish relationships with the surviving family members. Remembering the joy in the life of a deceased is also a common element. It is helpful to recall the deceased when they were in the prime of life.

Probably the most common need however is for emotional support. The final burial or funeral ceremony is really about helping the survivors accept the death and mourn for their loss. Funeral readings and eulogies address in ways that touch the hearts of the closest survivors.

In faith based ceremonies, the deceased may be remembered based on their religious beliefs while other who were not necessarily religious, want to be remembered of their life accomplishments. A young person who may have passed away from AIDS or other illness may have a desire to prepare or be involved in the funeral planning and express what is included within their funeral service.

Different societies practice various types of ceremonies when it comes to a funeral. This all may apply to either type of burial method, whether traditional or cremation. Customs are based and brought about by the surviving families and will vary from ethnecitiy and culture.