Page 7 - Berg_Mortuary_Bishops_Guide

BERG MORTUARY 7
FUNERAL

As the casket enters the chapel, the congregation should be invited to stand.

Final instruction and announcements should be given prior to the final musical number or speaker.
Some of the items you may want to announce:

1. Announcement of the pallbearers (this can also be done at the beginning of the service).

2. You may wish to say: “The interment will be in the cemetery. There wiill be no
formal congragational procession to the cemetery. Those wishing to go the cemetery will
beet at (Give time) at which the raveside services will begin.”

At the conclusion of the service the funeral directors will enter and proceed to the front of the
chapel. At this time the congregation should be asked to rise and Pallbearers instructed to come
forward. The funeral directors will the help the family exit the chapel.

GRAVESIDE

Traditionally, the head end of the casket is placed on the west end of the grave. The service
should also be conducted at the west end of the grave, as well as the prayers and talks.

Those attending the graveside services should be invited to gather close to the grave in order
to hear the service proceedings. A graveside service can be as short as a dedicatory prayer, or can
include some talks and musicals. Graveside services should be short in time due to the consid-

eration of those in attendance standing.
If military honors are being provided, it is customary t introduce and turn the time over to
the military prior to the prayer, talks or musicals.

When the service is completed, appreciation should again be expressed. It is also beneficial
to announce that the cemetery will complete the burial after everyone has departed, following
which family and friends can again visit the grave. If there is a luncheon, it is appropriate at
that time to invite those in attendance to attend that.