530 High Mountain Road
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Phone: 201-891-4770
Fax: 201-621-0032
Email: nicholas@vpmemorial.com
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Phone: 201-891-4770
Fax: 201-621-0032
Email: nicholas@vpmemorial.com
Funeral Services
Affordable Funeral Services in Franklin Lakes, NJ
All we need to do is say the word "funeral" and within microseconds, you have an image in your mind of what a funeral service 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 Franklin Lakes 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 ins and outs of funeral services in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Should you have questions about what you read here, we encourage you to call us.
One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the wide spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.
What Makes a Funeral Service?
No matter where it's held, a funeral service is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.
Anthropologists label a funeral service 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. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way.
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral service - no matter where, no matter when - lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.
The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services
Traditional funeral services include:
- Visitation: 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.
- Funeral Service: This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, the reading of literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, and the singing of hymns.
- Committal Service: If the family plans to bury the deceased, this stage involves the vehicle procession to the cemetery.
- Funeral Reception: 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, 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.
If you are interested in making arrangements for an affordable funeral service for a loved one, we invite you to contact us
to begin. If you are interested in funeral pre-planning, please visit that section of our site.
Explore Our Affordable Funeral Services in Franklin Lakes
At Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, we're committed to providing families with the best and most affordable funeral services and products. We also offer a diverse range of personalized funeral service options.
Our facilities have been designed to provide your family with the most comfortable setting to hold your funeral service. From the exceptionally landscaped grounds to a clean and beautiful interior, our funeral home is maintained to the highest standards to ensure you say goodbye to your loved one in a respectful and caring environment.
Source:
Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979
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