A funeral is a family (or a State) service conducted in honour of a dead person. It is a series of associated rites or rituals that are unique to one’s religion or culture.

A majority of Christian funerals have ceremonies that can be categorized into three types of events – visitation, funeral and in the end, the burial. The first two ceremonies, which are the most important ones as far as rites and rituals are concerned, are discussed below.

Visitation is the ceremony that comes first, when the deceased’s body is put in a coffin for the family and friends to see. The body is clothed in the finest attire and adorned with precious jewellery. Anointing of the deceased for this occasion is not a compulsory ritual in every culture.

Visitation mostly includes a visual display of pictures of the dead person by the family members or a display of articles that were cherished by the departed while he was alive. Some people even play a video recording or run a slideshow in memory of the dead.

This part is then followed by the funeral, which is essentially a memorial service that is usually conducted at the church. The casket with the dead body in it is carried in a vehicle to the church, surrounded by a funeral procession of mourners. Then the coffin is brought with its floral arrangement and placed inside the church.

Funeral services normally include prayers and readings from the Bible or the Holy Scriptures. The mourners or attendees also sing religious songs in chorus. Then the presiding priest gives a speech, which is closely followed by eulogies given by the family and relatives of the deceased elaborating upon the life, achievements and good nature of the deceased. Sometimes, attendees are permitted to view the deceased for the last time before the burial takes place. Church bells may be chimed both before and after the service.

Once these ceremonies are over, the body is taken in a funeral cortege for burial, which marks the end of the funeral ceremony.

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