From Grief to Healing: Finding Comfort in Funeral Traditions

There are some good reasons to have a funeral for someone who has passed on. Even if you are not a religious person or particularly connected to the trappings of modern culture, funeral traditions serve several purposes, and we encourage clients to consider carefully what type of funeral they would like to arrange.

Why Do We Have Funerals?

As far back as we look in history and study it, we find evidence of funeral rites in every culture and every religion. Funerals give us an opportunity to face the reality of death, to acknowledge the person who has passed, and find support and comfort from others who gather with us at the funeral.

Funeral traditions vary with different religions, and they also tend to bend with the general cultural practices of specific locales. For example, in Tibet and Mongolia, a corpse is placed on a mountain top, but this practice is not acceptable in the western world.

Different Traditions

Here, in western Canada, most people choose either burial or cremation, fairly soon after death. Muslims and Jews bury their dead quickly and never embalm. Most Sikhs choose cremation. Beyond the religious aspect, you will have to decide if you want to publicize and welcome a crowd to the funeral home or have a celebration of life after. Some celebrations of life are short, somber affairs, and some are upbeat gatherings with lots of food and drink.

Whatever you decide, remember that there is a benefit to observing some traditions, for everyone who is left behind after the death of a loved one.

Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, based in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, provides has been providing compassionate funeral services on the Lower Mainland for over 60 years. We have deep roots in the community and take great pride in caring ethics and exemplary service. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about funeral services, please call us at (604) 463-8121.