Parnick Jennings Funeral Home logo

Burial Services

The earliest human burial dates back 100,000 years, making it one of the oldest and most widespread of traditions. 

Understanding Burial Services

We have the deepest respect for this traditional practice. If you are interested in learning more about the burial services we offer, please review the following information. Should you have questions about anything, please call us.

There are many things to consider when deciding whether to bury a recently-deceased loved one, or when selecting burial during funeral pre-planning. One of the first decisions you'll need to make involves choosing both the cemetery and the specific place of burial within its grounds. You'll then need to select a casket and possibly a burial vault, as many modern cemeteries require their use. At some point, and this does not have to take place right away, the decision becomes one of selecting the headstone or marker and writing the inscription. A member of our professional staff will be available should you wish to have assistance in making each of these decisions.

An Invitation Consider Options

We offer a number of affordable burial service options. They range from simple burials, where only a member of our staff oversees the interment, to graveside services led by a minister or celebrant, and finally a traditional funeral service followed by burial. Each can be tailored to meet the needs and expectations of today's families.

How to Plan a Burial Service

Burial services in one form or another have been a part of the human experience for millennia. If you scan history, it really doesn't matter "when" or "where" you look, burial practices can be found. Graveside services can be seen in hundreds of Hollywood films and television productions. Some are uplifting, others are humorous, and some merely attempt to convey the emotional weight carried by the characters involved. Because of these efforts, most of us are familiar with the appearance of traditional funeral service. But when it comes time to make arrangements for a burial or graveside service on behalf of a deceased family member, it can be challenging to turn what is only vaguely familiar into a truly meaningful personal event. This graveside service planning guide outlines the major steps involved and identifies the primary "talking points" when meeting with the funeral director.

What's Involved in Planning a Burial Service?

All reasons aside, let's look at what's involved in planning a burial service. We've broken down the discussion into three areas-of-concern: the selection of cemetery and burial property, choosing a casket and burial vault; and planning the details of the graveside service.

Reasons to Hold a Burial Service

When it comes time for you to make final care arrangements on behalf of a deceased family member you may be surprised to learn of the benefits of well-crafted burial services. During the arrangement conference with a funeral director you'll have the opportunity to discuss the features and benefits of graveside services and look at the why families choose a graveside service:
Simplicity
Many people today hunger for greater simplicity in their lives; a life that is  natural, uncluttered, and uncomplicated. This is a desire which is nothing new to the human heart. Consider the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Quaker religious orders who continue to strive for a simple, sincere approach to life. We've long wanted to focus on what is most important, and the simplicity of graveside services does just that.
The Natural Setting
What better place to celebrate the life of a loved one than under the open sky, beneath trees, or beside flowers? No matter the type of cemetery that your loved one's burial services is held at, the emotional and spiritual comforts of the natural surroundings will be keenly felt.
Religious Requirements
There are profound religious reasons families choose burial services over any other final care option. For example, the Christian concept of resurrection of the body is deeply held by many and makes burial an act of religious ceremony. Jewish families and those practicing Islamic traditions also have strong religious and social commitments to burial.

The Importance of Witnessing
As mentioned earlier, human societies of all times and in all places have incorporated burial into their cultural or religious practices. This long-lived social relationship with burial has resulted in a core belief shared among peoples around the globe: burial is an act of respect, made most meaningful when witnessed.

Planning the Details of the Graveside Service

The details really depend on your motives and emotional needs. If simplicity is your primary focus, then the burial service we design could look very different from one which is guided by religious doctrine.

And while you could think of your loved one's graveside service as a modified version of a typical funeral, with a member of the clergy leading attendees in standard hymns or prayers; we'd rather you let go of your expectations. That way, we can come to the planning process with no limitations to our creativity. Together we'll determine the best date and time for the burial service, and select the most meaningful readings, songs and activities to be featured in their service.

We'll discuss who you would like to lead the event; it could be your funeral director, a member of the clergy, a celebrant, family member, or close friend. Certainly, the selection of the cemetery and burial plot are practical decisions; but planning the service format is where the heart can take over. Your funeral director will sit with you for as long as it takes to bring love and memories into the event. He or she will explore your loved one's life with you to find the essence of who they were, all in the effort to craft a fitting graveside service.

Are You Ready to Talk About Burial Services?

We're ready to listen.  Contact us for assistance in making funeral arrangements or a graveside service, and you'll appreciate the value of having an experienced advisor serving your family as exactly as you wish. If you have questions, feel free to send us a message using the form below.

Ask Us About Burial Services

Messages to Parnick Jennings are encrypted for your security and privacy.

Share by: