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St. Catharines Funeral Services
All we need to do is say the word "funeral"; within seconds, you have an image in of what a funeral looks and that image is different for everyone. 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 Borneo 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 give us a call. One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the wide spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.
What Makes A Funeral?
No matter where it's held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, and provide mourners with a collective grieving experience. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.
Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors – the immediate family most especially – has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral - no matter where, no matter when - lies in acknowledging change. Without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.
Our Funeral Services
For families and individuals living in this region, a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from that "traditional" format, to memorial services and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Give us a call
to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals to learn more about our St. Catharines funeral services.
List of Services
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Traditional Funeral ServicesList Item 1
Whether you're making funeral arrangements for a loved one or pre-planning your own funeral, this section explains traditional services and all of the available options.
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Traditional Funeral Service Pricing
The Traditional Funeral Service includes the supervision and co-ordination of all services requested during the arrangement conference, visitation, funeral service (with body present) and final disposition of the deceased.
Sources:
Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979.