Traditional Funeral Services

Affordable Funeral Services in Dover & Lee, NH

At Purdy Funeral Service, we understand the pain that comes from losing a loved one. Whether the loss was expected or not, losing a loved one is never easy. In addition to the grief that follows, many families struggle with the financial and emotional stresses of planning a funeral service for a loved one. To help ease your pain and say a meaningful goodbye, we strive to offer affordable funeral services in Dover & Lee, NH and surrounding areas. 

 

From the first call until long after the service has ended, your family can rest easy knowing we will be there to assist you. Whether it’s helping you select music to play during the service or connecting you with grief support resources, we will be by your side. It is our goal to plan a service that allows your family to say a loving and meaningful goodbye while providing a level of service that exceeds expectations. 


Although some families choose a memorial servicecremation, or celebrations of life rather than burial services, there are still many families who prefer the structured ceremonies. Funeral services have been a popular way of honoring the life of the deceased for centuries. Before moving forward with planning, it is important to understand the answer to the question, "What is a funeral?". Below, we highlight the history of traditional funeral services as well as the steps in the funeral process.

If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to call us to begin.

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 New Hampshire 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. One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the wide spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.

If you are interested in planning a funeral service in advance? Visit our Pre-Arrangement Process page or arrange your services online now.

The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services

A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern, 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.


What Makes a Funeral?

A traditional funeral service is a structured ceremony that follows strict guidelines. Each section of the ceremonies is meant to bring people together to mourn as a community. This type of formal social gathering is seen as a socially acceptable method of grieving and celebrating the life of a special individual. Though a traditional funeral service is still a very common choice for end-of-life arrangements, less structured ceremonies such as memorial services , celebration of life services , or ash scattering services are becoming increasingly popular while still providing the same purpose as a traditional funeral. 


Funerals are seen by anthropologists as a rite of passage. They are important ceremonies in which the individual's life on Earth is marked as complete, and their contributions to the world around them have decidedly now become memories. Not only do funerals affect the status of the individual who has passed, but they also mark a new beginning for loved ones as they begin grieving that their loved one is no longer here. 


Overall, funerals are a time in which change is to be acknowledged. The focus of a funeral is to help those who have lost a someone begin the grieving process and acknowledge that there are profound changes ahead for them. When you come to accept a funeral’s purpose, it is much easier to comprehend the symbolic importance of the ceremony. 


4 Stages of the Funeral Process

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.

Burial 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.

Things to Consider When Planning a Funeral

It’s important to remember that when planning a funeral, the service is not just for the deceased, but also the guests. Although everyone is gathering to say goodbye to the deceased, they are also there to comfort and support one another. As you begin to start planning a funeral, remember to think about the guests who will be there. 

 

There are many decisions to be made and it’s best if you work alongside others. We recommend speaking with other members of your family and listening to their input. Together you can come to a consensus and select the options that best suit everyone’s needs. 

 

If you’re ready to begin planning a funeral service, below we have provided a checklist of steps when planning a funeral service. 

  • Work out your budget 
  • Pick ceremonial participants 
  • Create a guest list 
  • Reserve a date and time for the event 
  • Hire an officiant pastor or celebrant 
  • Select floral arrangements 
  • Select music for each phase of the ceremony 
  • Finalize the readings 
  • Write personal statement(s) to be read at the service 
  • Finalize the order of the ceremony 
  • Submit an announcement to newspapers 
  • Select your outfit for the service 
  • Arrange for transportation 
  • Select food and beverages for the post-service reception 

Arrange a Funeral in Dover & Lee Today

 If you would like to learn more about our funeral services in New Hampshire, reach out to us. Call to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.

Source:

Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979

Rostad, Curtis, "The Basics of Funeral Service", Indiana Funeral Directors Association, 2014

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