There are many ways to lay a person to rest today. While one could argue that there is no right or wrong way to do so, there are many religions and cultural traditions that say otherwise. In the Catholic tradition, a proper burial is considered important in honoring both God and the life of the person who has passed away. But that does not mean there is no variation in how people are buried.
One of these variations is the graveside or cemetery service. This abbreviated service may be held in place of or in addition to the traditional Catholic burial service, giving families more options for how they lay their loved ones to rest.
What is a Cemetery Service?
A cemetery service is exactly that: a burial service held at the cemetery itself. When you choose to have a cemetery service in Brownstown, you are choosing to gather at the gravesite itself and hear prayers, blessings, and other speeches there instead of at a funeral home or church.
As mentioned previously, you can choose to hold one of these shorter services alongside a longer, more elaborate service too. For many families, this allows a more intimate final goodbye for their loved one, as close friends and immediate family will be the only ones to attend the graveside service.
The Rite of Committal
This kind of service also works well with the Catholic tradition of the Rite of Committal. During this ritual, final prayers are offered before the family and friends gather to commend the spirit of their loved one to God. Then, the body is consecrated or blessed before being placed on the ground. This intimate, meaningful part of the overall Catholic burial tradition dates back hundreds of years, giving it and the people who practice it a deep feeling of connection to the past.
Since this service is generally held at the gravesite, it is interchangeable with the cemetery service. If you are planning a traditional Catholic burial for your loved one, make sure your cemetery will permit a cemetery service so your family can observe this most treasured Catholic rite. Contact Our Lady of Hope Cemetery for the reliable cemetery services.
