Services

We share a need to mark the events that change our lives. When death occurs, there is a duty to the deceased to make final disposition in a manner that is appropriate to their memory. A funeral or memorial service addresses the need for those who knew the deceased, or know the family, to offer their support.

A funeral or memorial service is usually (though not always) officiated by clergy. We can help find an appropriate officiant, or a place for a meal afterwards. Sometimes, a church or synagogue, club, lodge, or other community to which someone belonged will want to take a more active role in printing service programs, planning meals, or coordinating other aspects of a funeral or memorial service. For military veterans, an Honor Guard from the appropriate branch of service can be requested by the funeral home to render honors at a funeral or memorial service.

At a funeral service one expects there to be a casket present. Often, there is a visitation prior to the funeral service. The casket may be open during the visitation and/or the funeral, or it may remain closed. If the casket is to be opened for viewing, funeral homes require that embalming be performed.

A memorial service is held without a casket. There may be cremated remains present, or there may not be. Often, a private burial of a casket is held for the family, with a more public memorial service held at a later time, and at a place of the family's choosing.

Resthaven Funeral Services is able to arrange and conduct services at our location, or at a place of worship, an event hall, a public park, or even a private home. There is no wrong way to plan or conduct a funeral or memorial service; some choose to have a motorcycle ride, or a picnic, or some other travel destination, especially when scattering cremated remains. For people with unique desires for their own services, advance planning is extremely helpful in fulfilling those wishes.