Burial remains one of the most familiar ways families choose to honor a loved one, and at Paschal Funeral Home, we help Kerens-area families understand what a burial service actually involves, so the decisions ahead feel less overwhelming.
It is a question we hear more often than you might expect, even from people who have attended many services over the years: what is a funeral, really? At its core, a funeral is a gathering that allows family and friends to honor the person who has died, find comfort in each other, and begin the process of grieving together. The exact structure, whether a formal service at the funeral home, a graveside gathering, or a service at a place of worship, depends entirely on what feels right for your family.
We offer a range of burial options, from a full traditional funeral service to a simpler graveside service. Some families want visitation hours before the service, giving friends and extended family time to pay their respects; others prefer a smaller, more private gathering at the cemetery itself. We will walk you through the choices and help you put together a service that reflects your loved one’s life and your family’s wishes.
A traditional service typically includes a visitation period, a formal ceremony, and a graveside committal. Many families find that this structure offers a meaningful rhythm for saying goodbye, with distinct moments for reflection, ceremony, and final farewell.
If you have never had to plan a burial before, it can feel like there is a lot to figure out at once, especially while grieving. We will help you work through the details step by step, from choosing a casket and burial plot to deciding on service details and coordinating with clergy or officiants if your family has a particular faith tradition.
It is normal to have questions, whether about cost, timing, or what is actually required under Texas law. We have put together answers to some of the most common questions families ask, and we are always available by phone to talk through anything that is not covered there.
If you are ready to talk about burial or graveside services for a loved one, or want to plan ahead for yourself, call Paschal Funeral Home at 903-396-2371.
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For affordable burial services in Kerens think Paschal Funeral Home
Once you decide what kind of burial service you want, the next step is to plan it. Our ‘how to plan a burial’ page is a great reference if you’ve never planned a burial service in Paschal Funeral Home before. Please take some time to read through and make sure that a burial is the best choice for your loved one and your family. Do you know what elements are included in a traditional funeral service? If not, then take a look at the ‘traditional funeral services’ page. This page will help you decide if you are looking for something traditional, or if something more modern will be a better choice for the deceased or yourself.
What is a Funeral?
All we need to do is say the word “funeral” and within microseconds, you have an image in your mind of what a funeral looks like. This mental image comes from many sources: the geographical place, culture and society in which we live; our faith; our life experience. Obviously then, a funeral service in Borneo would look very different from one held in Tanzania; there are even significant differences between the funerals held in ethnically and/or geographically diverse regions of North America.
Yet, despite the differences, these funeral services have much in common. We invite you to read further to learn the really simple answer to the question “what is a funeral?” Should you have questions about what you read here, we encourage you to call us at 903-396-2371. One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the wide spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.
What Makes a Funeral?
No matter where it’s held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. It’s a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.
Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past, and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors– the immediate family most especially– has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral – no matter where, no matter when – lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.
Funeral Services in Our Area
For families and individuals living in this region (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a “traditional funeral”; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Call 903-396-2371 to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.
Traditional Funeral Services
Traditional funeral services include:
- Visitation: This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
- Funeral Service: This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, the reading of literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, and the singing of hymns.
- Committal Service: If the family plans to bury the deceased, this stage involves the vehicle procession to the cemetery.
- Funeral Reception: Many choose to host this post-service gathering (or repast) at a reception hall. This is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support.
A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.
If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to call us at 903-396-2371 to begin.
Online Sources:
Rostad, Curtis, “The Basics of Funeral Service”, Indiana Funeral Directors Association, 2014
Sources:
Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979.