A funeral is one of the most important rituals in life. It gives us a way to acknowledge the loss of someone we love while also celebrating and honouring the life they lived. It brings people together to share memories, support one another, and say a final goodbye.
Although funerals have many shared traditions, they can look very different depending on culture, faith, and personal wishes. For some families, the formality of a church service feels right. Others prefer the simplicity of a direct cremation with no ceremony at all. Many are now choosing something in between, combining traditional elements with more personal touches.
Arranging a funeral can feel daunting, especially at such an emotional time. Having an understanding of the options available can help bring clarity to the decisions you need to make. Here, we’ll take you through the main types of funeral ceremonies and the choices families often consider, from traditional services to modern alternatives.
What are the different types of funerals?
The type of funeral you choose is often shaped by faith, culture, or family tradition, but there are many variations. Some of the most common are:
- Traditional funeral
- Graveside or committal service
- Direct burial
- Direct cremation
Traditional funerals and graveside services are perhaps the most familiar. Direct burial and direct cremation are simpler options that remove many of the formalities. Let us look more closely at what each type involves.
What does a funeral service involve?
While each faith or culture has its own rituals, most funerals follow a similar structure. There is usually a gathering of mourners, a ceremony with readings, tributes and music, followed by either burial or cremation. Additional elements such as a wake, committal, or memorial service may also be included.
The wake or viewing
A wake, sometimes called a viewing, gives people the chance to spend time with the person who has died before the funeral service itself. This might take place in a funeral home, at home, or in another familiar location.
Traditionally, a viewing involves the coffin being present, but some modern wakes take place without this. Instead, photographs, personal belongings, or even an urn may be used as a focus for remembrance. The purpose is to offer a quieter, more intimate way to say goodbye, which can be particularly comforting for close friends and family.
This part of the funeral is entirely optional. Some families find it meaningful, while others prefer to remember their loved one in other ways.
Committal service
A committal service is most often associated with Christian traditions. It takes place at the graveside and symbolises the final act of placing someone to rest. Prayers or readings are usually included, and mourners may scatter soil or flowers onto the coffin.
Committals can also happen after cremation, when ashes are interred in a cemetery or burial ground. While rooted in religious custom, many non-religious families also choose to hold a simple graveside moment as a symbolic farewell.
Burial or cremation
Every funeral leads to a decision between burial and cremation. This is the central element of the process, while the surrounding rituals are optional. Burial involves placing the coffin into a grave. Cremation involves reducing the body to ashes using heat. We will explore the differences later in this article.
Funeral reception
After the main service, many families hold a reception or gathering. This might be in a family home, a village hall, or a hired venue. The tone is often less formal than the service itself, giving people time to share stories, look through photos, and offer support. Food and drink are usually provided, and the atmosphere may be quiet and reflective or more celebratory, depending on what feels appropriate.
Memorial service
A memorial service takes place without the body present. It can happen soon after death or weeks or even months later. This gives families complete flexibility to plan something personal. A memorial could be a vintage afternoon tea, a gathering in a garden, or a small circle of friends sharing memories at home. It is an opportunity to celebrate life rather than focus on loss, and many families find this approach uplifting.
Burial and cremation compared
What does burial involve?
Burial takes place after the funeral service, when the coffin is lowered into the ground. Mourners often gather around the grave and may sing, pray, or share words of farewell. For those with strong religious beliefs, burial is often the preferred choice because of its symbolism of returning the body to the earth.
However, burial can be costly. Expenses may include the purchase of a grave plot, embalming, the coffin itself, and the service. There are also environmental concerns, as embalming chemicals can seep into the soil.
What does cremation involve?
Cremation uses high heat to return the body to ashes, which are then given to the family. It has become the most common funeral choice in the UK. Cremation is usually more affordable than burial and gives families flexibility in deciding what to do with the ashes. They can be kept in an urn, interred in a grave, or scattered in a meaningful place.
For many families, cremation feels less restrictive than burial. It also opens the door to alternative ceremonies such as scattering events, interments, or celebrations of life.
Do you have to have a funeral?
Religious tradition tells us that a funeral is an essential part of saying goodbye. Yet not everyone finds comfort in these rituals. Some prefer to avoid a formal funeral altogether and instead honour their loved one in more personal ways.
It is entirely possible to choose cremation without a funeral service, or to replace a funeral with a memorial or celebration of life. What matters is finding an approach that feels right for the person who has died and for the family who will remember them.
No funeral, just cremation choices
Direct cremation
Direct cremation, sometimes called a simple or unattended cremation, involves cremating the body without a service at the crematorium. The only paperwork required is the legal documentation. After the cremation, the ashes are returned to the family.
This option is becoming increasingly popular because it removes the pressure of planning a large funeral immediately after death. Families can instead arrange a personal memorial later, when they feel ready. It also offers significant savings when compared with a traditional funeral.
Scattering ashes ceremonies
Once you receive the ashes, you can decide how to lay them to rest. Scattering ceremonies are one of the most popular choices. These can be as simple as gathering at a beach or hillside that held meaning for your loved one, or as creative as releasing ashes during a firework display.
Some families plant a tree or create a small garden as a lasting memorial. Others keep the ashes in a specially designed urn. The important thing is that the ceremony reflects the person’s life and values.
Christian funerals
Christian funerals follow a structured set of rituals shaped by centuries of tradition. Services often take place within a week of death and include prayers, hymns, readings, and a sermon. A graveside committal usually follows, with soil or flowers placed on the coffin. This act symbolises returning the body to the earth and releasing the soul.
Catholic funerals have their own structure, which includes the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and final commendation before committal. For many Christian families, these rituals provide reassurance and hope.
Non-religious and humanist funerals
Not everyone identifies with a religion, and many families now choose non-religious ceremonies. These focus on celebrating a person’s life without reference to faith.
Atheist funerals
An atheist funeral does not include prayers or hymns but still offers space to share memories, readings, and music. The emphasis is on celebrating the achievements, values, and relationships of the person who has died.
Humanist ceremonies
Humanist funerals are led by a celebrant trained to create meaningful, non-religious services. These ceremonies often include a welcome, tributes, readings, music, and a moment of reflection. The focus is entirely on the individual and the life they lived, rather than on religious belief.
Celebrations of life
A celebration of life is a more recent development and is growing in popularity. It shifts the focus away from mourning towards remembering the joy, personality, and spirit of the person who has died. Guests may wear bright colours, share funny stories, or listen to favourite music.
Celebrations of life can take place alongside burial or cremation, or as a stand-alone event. They offer freedom, flexibility, and an opportunity to make the farewell truly unique.
If you would like some support planning a personalised farewell, try A Fine Farewell. This free AI-powered service helps you explore ideas for readings, music, themes, and other special touches so you can create a farewell that feels heartfelt and meaningful. It guides you gently, step by step, and allows you to plan at your own pace.
Planning ahead
Whatever type of funeral or ceremony feels right, planning ahead can be a kindness to your family. By setting out your wishes, you relieve them of difficult decisions at a time of grief. You can also protect them from financial strain, since funeral costs continue to rise each year.
Funerals are deeply personal, and there is no single correct way to hold one. Whether you choose a traditional religious service, a direct cremation, a non-religious tribute, or a joyful celebration of life, each option lets family and friends come together and say goodbye.
