Funerals Explained: Funeral Traditions

Funerals are part of life, and something many of us will have attended at some point, and will probably find ourselves again at some point in the future. Across the world, you will find a vast variety of funeral traditions that are followed after a person dies. In this country most people are aware that we usually have a cremation or a burial, but how did funerals and funeral traditions develop in the UK?

Why Do We Wear Black?

As it happens, the funeral tradition of only wearing black to funerals has begun to change. More and more are people opting for bright colours, costumes or a single theme colour. Traditionalists will argue that black is the only acceptable colour to wear. Wearing black stems right back to the Elizabethan era. Those who enjoy history will be well aware that Queen Victoria chose to wear black for two years following the death of Prince Albert. After that, it became the expected protocol for all widows of the time. Black is seen as respectful and therefore colour is regarded as the opposite. This is is why some people object to it viewing it as disrespectful.

Why Have a Funeral Procession?

In some towns, if you live near a funeral director, seeing a funeral procession leave will be commonplace. Generally, the route is now short and does not involve the whole journey to the crematorium or church. Initially, the funeral director all have someone walk out in front of the hearse. This is a funeral tradition that dates right back to Roman times although there are marked differences. We no longer wail or play music, now it tends to be only for the people involved. Members of the public may also choose to stop and wait quietly for the procession to pass as a sign of respect.

Why a Chapel of Rest?

If a loved one has deceased you can, in some cases, have the body at home until the funeral. Yet, many people are not comfortable with this idea, and some places will not allow it. Seeing the deceased is something that many people want to do, so a chapel of rest is designed to allow this. Hospital mortuaries usually offer this too, but the body will not remain with the hospital. It will be taken care of by the funeral directors as soon as it is released from medical care.

Why a Burial?

In the UK cremations tend to be the favoured option. However, there is nothing to stop people opting to have their loved ones buried. Some people have family plots, and for others, their religious beliefs are the driving force. The choice is yours and originates in Pagan times. Christians later believed that burial was the best way to allow the dead to be in the correct location to right gain on the day of Resurrection. Of course, it could be challenging if everyone chose to be buried as this takes a lot of space. Cremation was gently pushed as a better option. Either way, the body, or ashes can be marked with a headstone in a graveyard or memorial garden.

Funeral Order of Service

Some families like to have a printed funeral order of service. Fitting Farewell have created thousands of funeral order of service with many different themes. We work directly with families and also funeral directors. We have the expertise and skills to create the funeral order of service you want for your loved one. We can create a bespoke design, print and deliver within 3 working days. You work directly with a designer, not from online templates, to create something very special.

Call us on 0800 612 6484, which is free from a landline, or email us via our contact form.