How Long a Funeral Take and here is an idea for you. When a close one passes on, many questions arise during the funeral process. Some of the numerous questions that are commonly asked are: “How long does a funeral take”? Below is the response of Simple Send-offs based in Wirral – United Kingdom.
In some ways, the response to this question might differ like religion, culture, personal preference, or the type of service being delivered. Well, Funeral director Simple Send-offs in Wirral (UK) answered amazingly.
How Long a Funeral Take – Key Factors that Influence the Duration of Funerals:
Table of Contents
1. Type of Service
The type of service chosen has a significant impact on the length of the funeral. According to an interview with a funeral director from Wirral, UK – Simple Send-offs, “The duration of the funeral depends on the type of the funeral service conducted by the family, a straightforward cremation service may take approximately twenty minutes while a traditional burial funeral may take more than one hour.”
Here are some common types of funeral services and their approximate durations:
- Direct Cremation: 15-30 minutes
- Memorial Service: 30-60 minutes
- Traditional Funeral with Cremation: 45 to 90 minutes
- Traditional Funeral with Burial: 1 to 2 hours.
2. Religious and Cultural Traditions
The duration of a funeral can also vary with the religious beliefs and traditions that are in existence within a given society. Some religions require that some practices be followed during the service; hence, the funeral may take several hours to conduct.
3. Personal Preferences
It is also important to understand that funerals can last a short time, or the entire day depending on the family’s preference. They can plan a more structured funeral in which several members and friends will be allowed to say their piece, and there are cases when one can invite only family and friends and have a rather closed cremation.
4. Location and Travel Time
Another cause that may affect the total time for a funeral is the geography or the areas between the funeral home and the place of worship and between the funeral home and the cemetery. If there is a form of procession for instance from one church to another, this may also extend the funeral.
5: The Common Stages of Funerals
- Visitation or Wake (optional): 1-3 hours
- Funeral Service: 30-90 minutes
- Committal Service (at the cemetery or crematorium): 15-30 minutes
- Reception or Gathering (optional): 1 to 3 hours
6. Visitation or Wake
A wake or visitation is not required but is usually held before the funeral service and usually only lasts for one evening. It can take from one to three hours depending on the number of visitors.
7. Funeral Service
The main service is the funeral –although can be more than one- and it normally lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour and thirty minutes. The time that the service shall last would thus depend on the kind of service, belief system, culture, or even individual preference.
During the funeral service, you can expect the following
- Opening remarks and prayers
- Readings and eulogies
- Musical performances
- Reflections and remembrances
- Closing remarks and prayers
- Committal Service
8. Reception or Gathering
As for the mourning process, it is necessary to note that in some cases, after the funeral service, the families come together for a reception or gathering. The duration of a reception differs, but it is 1-3 hours on average.
Conclusion
If you are planning a funeral, then you need to meet your funeral director so that you can be guided on how to get what you want for the funeral of your beloved. It is important to understand that there is no right or wrong way to plan for a funeral. It aims to enable the bereaved family to pay their last respect and develop a smile as they remember the deceased.
