The loss of a loved one is always difficult, but planning a funeral and memorial service can offer closure. It gives friends and loved ones an opportunity to grieve and begin to say goodbye. Even scientists who study grief say that having a meaningful funeral or burial ritual can have significant positive psychologic effects. 

Graveside service planning can still be especially trying during a time of grief. For that reason, having some recommendations at hand can help get you started.

Below are a few graveside service ideas to consider. Keep reading for information on the best ways to memorialize your loved one and reflect on their life.

Traditional Graveside Service Ideas

There are a handful of traditional graveside service ideas that are common and for a good reason. They are tried and true methods for helping evoke meaning from the funeral.

Having friends and family share stories or thoughts about the deceased is a very popular option. It allows loved ones to express their thoughts and feelings and lets everyone reflect on the life the person led.

If the deceased was religious, this might influence memorial and burial rituals. You might consider having a member of the clergy lead the service. If nothing else, you can incorporate scripture readings or reflections that highlight the faith they had during life.

A memorial table or board is a great way to celebrate someone's life. You can include pictures or a few personal beloved items of the deceased. You might have a book for guests to sign and leave a personal message that surviving family members can keep.

Nontraditional Graveside Service Ideas

Traditional memorial concepts can have a lot of meaning. Yet sometimes, thinking outside the box can help you put together the memorial service you want for your loved one.

For instance, bringing personal items to place around the urn or casket can be a profound way to honor the deceased. These can be anything--they might signify a hobby, sport, recreation, or trip guests shared with the individual.
This also can help people focus on the good times they shared with the deceased. 

Memorial stones are an increasingly popular concept. These allow guests to write their own messages or reflections onto the stones, then place them in a vase, jar, box, or other container.

You can also substitute another material, such as cloth, for the stones. A spouse or other family member can keep the container as a reminder of the many lives that their loved one touched.

Finally, a novel idea for a funeral service is to have a keepsake that reflects something meaningful about the person's life that guests can take home. It could be something as simple as their favorite candy or beverage. If the deceased loved gardening, you might have packets of seeds that people can take and plant in their honor.

Find Funeral Arrangements Near You

Now that you have some graveside service ideas, you can determine which is best to memorialize your loved one. You can tailor any of the above options to reflect their unique achievements and the life they led.

For four generations, Schumacher and Benner's funeral home has provided professional burial and memorial services to Pottstown and the surrounding communities. We offer cremation, traditional burial, and memorial preparation. Reach out to us today to learn more or to schedule services.