A funeral is important, for it is a rite of passage. It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate a life that has been lived. It offers families and friends the time to share experiences and emotional support and to help one another find closure and adjust emotionally to the loss of an important person in their lives. Funerals can take many forms, lasting from minutes to days, and they are very often influenced by the lifestyle and values of the bereaved family and friends.

A valuable aspect of funerals is their individuality. Whether a ceremony is elaborate or simple, funerals are often individualized to reflect the life of the deceased, which gives special meaning for family and other survivors. Funerals may reflect the occupation or hobbies of the deceased, or they may center around ethnic, religious, or social affiliations.

In our society, three basic forms of final disposition are practiced:

• earth burial - this is chosen most often
• cremation
• entombment - the body is placed in a crypt

Whatever form of final disposition is chosen, it is important to remember that every life has a story. It is a treasure that should be shared and passed on - to always be remembered.