The Importance of Rituals: How Funerals Help With the Grieving

Funeral rites and rituals date back to the earliest societies, in other words, thousands of years. The funeral has a fundamental importance to humans for several reasons, which we will explore today in our blog article.

Reality

The first reason why funeral rituals are important is that it gathers family and friends together to acknowledge the death when there is a public or private funeral. When people gather at a funeral, it is a first step toward accepting the reality of death which comes to all of us, which is a part of our humanness.

Honouring the Past

Funerals give us an opportunity to honour the past, and especially the past traditions of our people. This is why funeral rituals vary so much around the world. The funeral rites will reflect our culture and religious needs and show our fidelity to them.

Coming Together

You may have noticed that you often see people that you have not seen in years at funerals. It is in our nature as social beings to come together when we are vulnerable. Grief-stricken individuals who have recently suffered a loss are among the most vulnerable. So, the funeral ritual and allowing others to attend supports those who are suffering.

Mourning

Most religions have very specific rituals related to death and funerals. With some religions there is a prescribed mourning period which starts after the funeral. So, the funeral, itself, starts the process of the mourning period for that particular culture.

Today, often people forego a formal funeral. However, there are many benefits to having a funeral service, and we encourage people to consider having one. Funeral rituals benefit not only the mourners but the greater community as well.

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.