Burial Services

Burial Services

The earliest human burial dates back 100,000 years making it one of the longest-lived and most widespread of traditions. For an overview of the many different burial traditions, check out the websites in the Resources section below.

Burial Services

There are many things to consider when deciding whether to bury a loved one, or when selecting burial during funeral pre-planning. One of the first decisions you'll need to make involves choosing both the cemetery and the specific place of burial within its grounds. You'll then need to select a casket and possibly a burial vault, as many of our area cemeteries require their use. 

At some point, and this does not have to take place right away, the decision becomes one of selecting the headstone or marker and writing the inscription. 

Each cemetery has their own governing by-laws and price schedule. We offer advice and direction that can save your family stress and confusion.  

An Open Invitation

We offer a number of burial service options. They range from: simple burials where only a member of our staff oversees the interment; simple graveside services led by a minister or celebrant; and a traditional funeral service followed by burial. Each can be tailored to meet your needs and expectations.

How to Plan a Burial Service

Burial services in one form or another have been a part of human communities for millennia. If you scan our history, it really doesn't matter "when" or "where" you look, burial practices can be found. Graveside services can be seen in hundreds of Hollywood films and television productions; some are uplifting, others are humorous; and some merely attempt to convey the emotional weight carried by the characters involved. Because of these cinematic efforts, most are familiar with the appearance and traditional ceremonial format of a burial service. But when it comes time to make arrangements for a graveside service, it can be challenging to turn what is only vaguely familiar into a truly meaningful, deeply personal event. If you have questions about what you read here, please call us. A member of our staff is available, ready with the answers you need.

Reasons to Hold a Burial Service

Simplicity
Many people today hunger for greater simplicity in their lives; an uncluttered, uncomplicated life. This is a desire which is nothing new to the human heart. Consider the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Quaker religious orders who continue to strive for a simple, sincere approach to life. We've long wanted to focus on what is most important, and the simplicity of graveside services does just that.
The Natural Setting
What better place to celebrate the life of a loved one than under the open sky, beneath trees, or beside flowers? No matter the type of cemetery that your loved one's burial services is held at, the emotional and spiritual comforts of the natural surroundings will be keenly felt.
Religious Requirements
There are profound religious reasons families choose burial services over any other final care option. For example, the Christian concept of resurrection of the body is deeply held by many and makes burial an act of religious ceremony. Jewish families and those practicing Islamic traditions also have strong religious and social commitments to burial.

The Importance of Witnessing
As mentioned earlier, human societies of all times and in all places have incorporated burial into their cultural or religious practices. This long-lived social relationship with burial has resulted in a core belief shared among peoples around the globe: burial is an act of respect, made most meaningful when witnessed.
When it comes time for you to make final care arrangements on behalf of a deceased family member you may be surprised to learn of the benefits of well-planned burial services. During the arrangement conference us, you'll have the opportunity to discuss the features and benefits of graveside services and look at the top three reasons why families choose a graveside service:

Selection of Cemetery & Burial Property

Before we get too far into the subject, we should mention that a family member may have already chosen and purchased a burial plot. It's also very possible a distant relative purchased a large section in a local cemetery intended for the future burial of family members. In either of those situations, you may need to obtain the documents necessary to prove ownership of burial rights.

What if there is no such pre-plan in place? Then you will need to locate a cemetery and select the burial property on your own. And while we know today's consumers are smart and have access to more information about products and services than ever before, we also know that the purchase of cemetery property isn't a commonly-made transaction. For that reason, we offer the following information:
  • Unlike when you purchase a house (where the structure and the land are yours to do with as you like); when you buy a cemetery property, such as a burial plot, mausoleum crypt or columbarium niche; you are merely buying the right to inter (or bury) an individual (or individuals) in that location. The property you now have the rights over remains the property (and the responsibility) of the cemetery administration.
  • A stated portion of the money you pay for these interment rights will be contributed to an irrevocable fund used in the on-going care of the cemetery grounds.
  • The burial, as well as any future commemorative visits you make to the location will be subject to the specific by-laws as written by the cemetery administration.
  • Just like when you buy a house, the cost of burial property rights range widely in price, depending on the exact location of the plot, crypt or niche.  Our experienced staff can help you navigate through these important decisions.
There are other costs involved with the burial of a loved one, such as the fees charged by the cemetery for the "opening and closing" of the site, the headstone or grave marker and its installation, and the purchase of a casket and burial vault.

Because we have strong working relationships with local cemetery administrators, we want to help you with this part of the process. Simply call us to get started.

Choosing a Casket & Vault

You'll typically read that the casket is the single most expensive purchase you'll need to make during this time.   That simply isn't true.
We have a wide selection of caskets in varying price ranges, as well as burial vaults, to choose from, and will work closely with you to keep the cost of your loved one's service within your family's budget.

The cost of a casket aside, the type of casket you select will be based largely on personal preference. Would you prefer a hardwood casket, cloth-covered, or made or metal? There are caskets of poplar, cherry, maple, oak, pine and other species of wood. Metal caskets come in varying thicknesses and a wide array of finishes. We don't want you to guess what's best for your situation; instead we'd like you to turn to us for assistance. We've got the experience to guide you in the selection of the most appropriate casket and vault for your needs. Call us, or stop by our office.
Sources:
  1. Wikipedia, "Burial", modified 2014, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial
  2. National Parks Service, "Burial Customs and Cemeteries in American History", accessed 2014
  3. Funerals & Flowers, "Death and Funeral Customs", 2013
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