What's The Point Of A Funeral?

Death is a certainty that every single person must face. And when that time comes for a loved one, we're often left wondering - what's the point of a funeral? Why go through the hassle and expense of a formal ceremony? 

Wouldn't it be easier to just move on? But we at Ocean County Cremation Service know that funerals serve an essential practical and emotional purpose. 

What's The Point Of A Funeral?

While grappling with loss is never easy, a funeral provides a proverbial hand to hold during those first strenuous steps of grief.

• From a pragmatic standpoint, funerals help us honor the deceased and make their passing "real." Having a designated time and place to come together allows family and friends to gain closure and share memories. It creates a shared experience, solidifying the loss as something that has truly occurred. A funeral signifies the end of a person's physical presence, facilitating the transition to simply carrying them in our hearts.
• But funerals are about much more than just saying goodbye. They celebrate the life that was lived. Eulogies, photos, videos, and personal mementos allow us to reflect on the special moments and characteristics that made our loved ones extraordinary. Laughter intermingles with tears as we reminisce. A funeral is our chance to permanently enshrine someone's legacy in our minds before the indelible memories gradually fade.
• These services also profoundly bring communities together. They remind us that we aren't alone in our sadness. Grief is a universal experience that bonds us through our shared vulnerability and humanity. A funeral unites us through ceremonial rituals and words of consolation. The entire room emanates the warmth of support and empathy.
• From a cultural and religious perspective, funerals have been deeply woven into societies worldwide for millennia. They play a key role in grief, allowing us to process loss meaningfully and traditionally. The rites and rituals provide familiarity during uprootedness while honoring our ancestors. Funerals connect us to those who came before while celebrating the continuum of life.
• On a spiritual level, many faiths view funerals as the first step in the next journey our loved one's soul will take. Sacred passages, prayers, and rites help guide the deceased into whatever that next realm or state of being may be according to the religion's beliefs. For many, funerals offer hope and peace that the departed live on in another plane.

A funeral is the first step in an often long and arduous healing journey. For further information on What's the point of a funeral?, please contact Ocean County Cremation Service at 609-971-3321. You may also submit your inquiries about our cremation society services using our Online Form.