Funeral Misconceptions

There are a number of misconceived thoughts about funerals. Here are some that should be considered and addressed when planning a funeral.

• Funerals make us too sad.
• When Someone we love dies, we need to be sad. Funerals provide us with a safe place in which to embrace our pain.
• Funerals are inconvenient.
• Taking a few hours out of your week to demonstrate your love for the person who died and your support for survivors is not an inconvenience, but a privilege.
• Funerals and cremation are mutually exclusive.
• A funeral (with or without the body present) may be held prior to cremation. Embalmed bodies are often cremated.
• Funerals are only for religious people. 
• Non-religious ceremonies are also appropriate and healing. A funeral should reflect what the loved one wanted. Or maybe not…While the wishes of the person who died should be respected, funerals are primarily for the benefit of the living.
• Funerals are only for adults.
• Anyone old enough to love is old enough to mourn. Children, too, should have the right and the privilege to attend funerals.