In general, there are three types of funerals:
There is no restriction or limitation on combining the various types.
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Funerals 101Traditional, Full Servivce Funeral
A traditional, full service funeral in the U.S. usually includes:
- A display of the body and a chance to visit with the family at the funeral home.
- A service at the funeral home and/or a house of worship.
- A vehicle to transport the body to the cemetery.
- A burial or entombment in the cemetery -- usually with some type of service at the gravesite.
A traditional funeral is generally the most expensive type of funeral. Costs include:
- The funeral home's basic services fee.
- Embalming and dressing the body.
- Rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service
- Use of the funeral home's vehicles to transport the family.
- Casket.
- Cemetery plot or crypt.
- Miscellaneous funeral goods and services.
Direct Burial
In a direct burial, the body is buried shortly after death, usually in simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or later. Direct burial usually costs less than the "traditional," full service funeral.
Costs include:
- The funeral home's basic services fee.
- Transportation.
- Care of the body.
- A casket or burial container.
- Cemetery plot or crypt.
If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service.
Direct Cremation
Cremation reduces a corpse to bone fragments using high heat and flames. To learn more, see: Cremation.