All we need to do is say the word “funeral” and within microseconds, you have an image in your mind of what a funeral looks like. 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 Calvert County 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 straightforward answer to the question “What is a funeral?” We encourage you to call us if you have questions about what you read here. One of our funeral professionals will answer your questions and explain your options.
A funeral is a ceremony to pay tribute to and honor the life of a loved one. It is a time for family and friends to gather to provide solace and comfort to each other while reflecting on the life of a person who was significant in their lives. Funeral ceremonies can vary widely based on personal preference, cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations and/or spiritual practices. During the arrangement process, we can discuss your family’s preferred service options. Our staff will gladly incorporate your ideas into the service options you choose so that your loved one’s essence is evident in their service.
This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, reading literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, and the singing of hymns.
If the family plans to bury the deceased, this stage involves the vehicle procession to the cemetery.
Many choose to host this post-service gathering (or repast) at a reception hall. This is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support.
A funeral service in Calvert County, MD, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.
Each component of a funeral service is intended to engage the attendees in activities that will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. 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. The traditional funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
For families and individuals living in this region (as elsewhere in the nation), 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 several unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral to a memorial service and the increasingly popular celebration of life gatherings. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgment of loss, reach out to us. Call to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.
What is the significance of a funeral service?
From the beginning of recorded history, societies have honored those who die with a ceremony. In the beginning, the purpose of the ritual was to send the deceased on his or her journey into the afterlife.
Today, however, many experts agree that the benefits of a service are for those who remain behind. A “closure” of sorts must occur to help survivors adjust to their loss and recognize that a death has occurred. A funeral service provides the opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the life that was lived and allows the healing process to begin.
How much does a funeral cost?
Funeral costs vary depending on the funeral home and type of services and merchandise selected. There are two types of costs associated with a funeral: (1) services provided by the funeral home and (2) merchandise such as a casket or urn. Some types of services require more or less involvement of our professional staff and facilities than others and are priced accordingly. We pride ourselves on our ability to help every family create a meaningful tribute and lasting memorial for their loved one in any price range. Call or visit our funeral home to discuss your needs and to receive a general price list that will give you full details. And remember, if choosing burial or interment, you may need to purchase cemetery or mausoleum space as well as some type of memorial. Those arrangements are sometimes made separately with a cemetery.
What methods may I use to pay for the funeral?
Funeral costs may be paid by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, or an assignment of verified insurance benefits. Many families choose payment plans available through preplanning. This important decision can limit or eliminate the financial burden when the death of a loved one occurs.
Can I make my funeral arrangements before I die?
Yes, preplanning a funeral is one of the most caring things you can do for your family. Preplanning provides a clear picture of your final wishes and relieves your family from having to worry about how you would prefer to be remembered. These plans may be as simple or as elaborate as you choose — and keep in mind that making personal and meaningful plans does not have to mean added expense. You can comfortably prefund your arrangements to alleviate placing future financial burdens on your family. The preplanning process allows you to plan at your own pace, equipped with facts and ample information, so that you feel comfortable and secure about the choices you make. Making arrangements in advance also guarantees a service and funeral at today’s prices, free from inflation. We can assist you with your prearrangement needs.
How many types of caskets exist, and why are some more expensive than others?
Caskets are made of either metal (bronze, copper or steel), wood, or composite materials and are available in a variety of styles and colors. Prices vary, depending on the exterior and interior materials used. Bronze, a semi-precious metal, is more expensive than steel. Mahogany, a rare hardwood, is more expensive than the readily available softwood pine. There is also the option of adding personal touches to most caskets with customized embroidery and corner pieces for the casket.
What is embalming and is it necessary before services are held?
Embalming is the temporary preservation of a person’s remains using a chemical process. This procedure allows family and friends an opportunity to say their good-byes. Embalming is not required by Maryland State law, though funeral homes are given discretion to require it when a public viewing is planned as part of the service and Rausch Funeral Home requires embalming in these circumstances.
Can a funeral home assist me with Social Security benefits and Veteran death benefits?
Yes. In fact, our staff is trained to complete all necessary paperwork to begin the benefits process and will follow through to ensure that the benefits are secured in a timely manner.
What has to be done when a death occurs in one location or area and the funeral service will be held in another?
A death that occurs away from your loved one’s hometown may be an unusual experience for you and your family. However, funeral directors are trained and experienced in handling the details necessary when this happens. Rausch Funeral Home will assist you in selecting a funeral home in the city where the services are to be held and will help coordinate the transportation of your loved one to the care of a funeral director in that city
If our loved one is being transferred to another city for a funeral service and burial, can we also gather family and friends for a local service?
Yes. Rausch Funeral Home will work with you to organize a time and place either before or after the transfer for family and friends to gather to celebrate special memories of the decedent and to support each other during the time of loss.
What has to be done when a family member dies while on a trip out of town?
When a family member dies while out of town, contact Rausch Funeral Home. We will assist you by working with an out-of-town funeral director, who will handle all the necessary details in the distant city, state or country. Working together, we will gather all the necessary information to allow for the transfer of your loved one back home.
We provide funeral home & cremation services to all of Calvert, St Mary’s, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s County, including Upper Marlboro, Bristol, Lothian, Deale, Galesville, North Beach, Dunkirk, Sunderland, Huntingtown, Hughesville, Prince Frederick, Broomes Island, Leonardtown, Hollywood, St Mary’s City and all other surrounding communities.
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