Nearly 5 years ago, my husband’s precious maternal grandmother passed away. This special woman had an amazing sense of humor and a flair for life. Without saying a word, she could make me laugh with just a look. Several years before her death, she visited a local funeral home in order to plan her funeral services. When she passed away, the family didn’t have to deal with the stress of organizing her farewell services. They could relax, grieve, and concentrate on the wonderful memories they shared with her. I've grown to appreciate this. On this blog, you will discover the steps required to plan your own funeral.
Planning Your Funeral
Funeral And Cremation Services 101: The Duties Of A Memorial Service Officiant
Nora Mitchelle
If you have been asked to be the officiant of a funeral or a cremation service, you should be comforted by the fact that this is a big honor that reflects on the trust that the mourners have in you. It is also a responsibility that should be taken seriously. Be sure to know the duties of a memorial service officiant before you commit to being one for a funeral or cremation service.
Greeting All Who Attend
A cremation service officiant often arrives to the area where the service is behind held early. The person then greets and comforts mourners as they arrive. The officiant may also arrange seating when necessary and help guests who may have mobility issues find comfortable seating.
If a program of the service has been created, the officiant may hand one out to each person as they arrive. The officiant may also be asked to share specific information such as the family's wishes for donations to charity instead of sympathy gifts.
Giving the Eulogy
A cremation service officiant will oversee most aspects of the memorial service, but perhaps the most important thing that most do is deliver the eulogy for the deceased person. Sometimes another individual gives the eulogy, but oftentimes the officiant does so as part of otherwise leading the service.
The eulogy will need to capture the spirit of the person who passed away in a deeper, more personal, and more profound way than the written obituary. You may enrich your eulogy by speaking to the closest friends and family members of the person, and offering your own personal stories can also make it come alive for fellow mourners.
Introducing Speakers, Readers, and Performers
The cremation or funeral officiant often leads the service and introduces each person who will speak, read a selection in memory of the person, or perform music in the deceased individual's honor. The officiant typically reads the audience and keeps the tone serious unless other arrangements have been made. The officiant may also be asked to lead everyone in prayer or recite a prayer that represents the faith of the person who passed away.
Finally, keep in mind that the duties of a cremation service officiant may vary a great deal from one memorial service to the other. Although a funeral or cremation service celebrant is typically one who has experience in the area, such as a religious leader who serves the community, sometimes people who knew the deceased individual personally are asked to do it, and it's important to know what the duties and responsibilities of an officiant are.
To learn more, contact a service like Taylor Funeral Home.
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