who are funerals for

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Are funerals for the living or the dead? You’ve likely heard this question before, but maybe never had to ponder it.

When thinking about planning ones funeral – the answer to this question can become lost on most. We can get so caught up in conjuring up the best possible way to honour the dead, that making actual choices can become exceedingly difficult. Our time, energy, and resources can get sucked up in trying to create the perfect service. In doing so, we can often lose sight of the people around us who need us the most and the real purpose of what the funeral is setting out to achieve.

Funerals are for the living – at least we believe so.

Many will say it is a chance for the living to show one final act of love for the one who has passed on so they can start their own journey in the healing process.  Thus, funerals are for the living.

hierarchy of funeralsThe Hierarchy of the Purpose Of Funerals

This hierarchy of the purpose of funerals portrays the complex emotional processes we need to go through to ultimately heal and become stronger.

Transcendence

Life and the inevitability of death are two concepts we all must embrace. Fully understanding that can

Find Meaning

In the time of loss, we reflect on the significance of the life that was, but also, what is the meaning of life as a whole? Through loss, we may be able to find a clearer picture of who we want to be, or how we want to be remembered.

Expression

People often come to different realizations of life and death at different intervals of their life. It’s important that we go through these emotions so we can learn and grow.

Support

When a family member as passed on, we call upon each other for emotional support. If one family member or friend is hurting, the warm atmosphere of love support at a funeral helps pick us back up.

Recollection

In the stories we share, the fond memories we recall, and the residual warmth we feel when thinking of the deceased, we are able to make them feel alive again, if not for a moment.

Face Reality

Funerals are the last opportunity for the living to say goodbye so we can acknowledge the fact they have passed and we can go on.

Planning Your Final Arrangements With Others in Mind

When we pass on, so do all of our responsibilities and obligations. Many will leave this world without letting their final say in how they would like their own to be carried out be known. When you are able to see to that your final expenses are arranged in advance, you can take the guesswork out of it for your family.

In the present, we are given the opportunity to decide just how our funerals will be arranged and paid for in advance. With pre arranged funerals, our family members aren’t left deciding how they will navigate plotting out the expenses and arrangements of the funeral service in such a short, complex and emotional time. Instead they are free to focus on healing, all on their own terms.

 

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