“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”- The Bible in John 15:13

July in the United States includes Independence Day. To remember this special day and in the current month of July, this article will talk about the 5 different ways that veterans are honored in a veteran’s funeral process. Knowing that our veterans have sacrificed their lives for us should mean that in their journey of life and death, that we continue to honor them. So, if you’d like to know how they’re honored in the funeral process, keep reading.

5 Ways of Honoring Veterans in a Funeral Process

A veteran is not just someone who has passed away during active duty. Instead, it’s any individual with honorable discharge. Because veterans have done a lot for our country, they should be honored. Here are 5 ways that a veteran’s funeral will be different from a regular funeral. Keep in mind that these are just some ways that they’re honored. There are many different ways to honor a veteran. In this article, we’ve narrowed them down to a few prominent ways. 

#1.  The American Flag Will Be Folded in a Veteran’s Funeral

During a veteran’s funeral process, a flag will be folded using the traditional flag folding process.  The flag will then be placed on the veteran’s casket so that the flag is over the left shoulder of the body. 

Each aspect of the folding has a significant meaning. For example, the first fold celebrates life. The second fold honors our traditional belief in life-after-death, and the third fold represents all the deceased veterans. 

#2. The Deceased Veteran’s Family Will Receive The Flag 

A  flag is presented to a family member or relative. The reason that a flag is represented to the family is to honor the family. That’s because families of veterans matter and hold a special place in the lives of their loved ones and in building our nation. So, not only the veteran will be honored, but so will their families. 

#3.  The Taps Will Be Played

Taps is the traditional signal played during a veteran’s funeral. If you watch movies or shows involving veterans or death in general, then you’ve probably heard the taps being played. The meaning of taps is to honor all five branches of the armed forces. This includes: The Coast Guard, the Navy, the Army, The Marine Corps, and the Air Force. 

#4. There Will Be Service Members Present

Usually, during the funeral, there will be service members present. These service members may be a part of the pallbearers and overall service. They may also have special places to stand during the service. 

#5. The Deceased Veteran Will Have a  Veteran’s Headstone

The Department of Veteran Affairs will provide a veteran’s headstone in order to honor the veteran. These headstones are important because they also function as memorials. 

These headstones may have markings with abbreviations that include the branch of the military the veteran was apart of, the war service, the speciality, and any awards the veteran had. 

Make Your Veteran’s Funeral Process Special With Russon Mortuary and Crematory 

The Russon Brothers can make your veteran’s funeral special. We recognize that our veterans have sacrificed a lot for us. The least that we can do for them is to provide a honorable funeral–one that they, you and your family will be proud of. 

At our Mortuary and Crematory, we customize your funeral process with the deceased, yours and your family’s desires in mind. Reach out to us with any questions.

Planning for your funeral is not an easy subject to discuss with your family. No one wants to think about the day they have to lay you to rest. But it is something you need to talk about so there isn’t a lot of stress along with grieving. A lot goes into planning and one of the main issues is if you’d rather be buried or cremated? First, let’s talk about each one. 

Cremation 

Cremation is becoming more and more popular as time goes on. It’s reported that in 2019, 50% of all deaths were cremated and it’s going to continue to grow. In just 5 years it will jump to 60% of funerals as cremations rather than burials. The reason is because cremation is more affordable than a burial. You will need to spend about $300 for the cremation and any director fees taking care of the permits, certificates and any other paperwork. You’ll need to also pick out the urn after the service is completed, usually those also depend on what type or design you want. Depending on the deceased wishes, you are able to spread the ashes, bury them at a site, or keep them at home.  

The process is simpler than a burial and might save more money in your family’s pockets. Family members can peacefully say goodbye to their loved ones how they would like to, whether it’s religious rites or funeral services. During the cremation there is less of a process, the funeral staff begins by placing the casket or container in the cremation chamber. It is then set to 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 to 3 hours depending on the size and weight of the body. The body that is being cremated doesn’t feel a thing because everything has been shut down once a person has passed. Once the cremation is complete, the staff allows the remains to cool down. That way they can properly handle them and place the cremated remains in the urn that was picked out by the family.  

Burial 

A burial is more of a traditional way to lay your loved ones to rest. There is a lot that goes into it, most chose it because of religious purposes but it can be costly. Embalming is usually around $700 to $1,0000 but it is not required. Burial cost is roughly $3,000 or more. The casket itself is the most expensive part and depending on how extravagant you want the funeral service; it will raise the price. The grave site and headstone can average $1,000 to $2,000. Therefore, you can expect to pay $7,000 or more in most cases.  

The process for embalming a body is fairly gruesome, that’s why most funeral directors are licensed to do the embalming. First, the body is bathed and disinfected to protect the staff, family and visitors during the funeral service. Now here’s the ghastly part. The licensed embalmer takes the body’s blood with chemical preservatives through a solution to drain all the blood from the arteries and heart. Then they will puncture the organs and stomach to release gas and other bodily fluids. Once everything is released from the body, it is sewn back together and washed again. The eyelids are glued shut with skin glue, nails are manicured, makeup is used and the hair is styled.  

What Funeral Services Do Different Religions Use? 

There are several religious views on funeral services and understanding the difference might better help you decide what you would prefer. Countless religions have changed their perspective on how they lay their loved ones to rest.  

Christians are accustomed for burial services and secrete them near the church so they could be closer to God. Today, Christians are open to the idea of cremation but some still are against it. 

Judaism has always buried their dead in a simple casket with no extravagant services or decorations. Cremation was out of the question. Today they can be more open to a person’s wishes, but if someone wants to be cremated, they still have to be buried in a casket.  

Buddhism is very different from most religions since they don’t believe in a greater God. They celebrate the life of Buddha and don’t follow any certain ways of doing funerals. Buddha was cremated so they accept it and all types of burials are permitted as per request from the deceased.  

Making a Decision 

In conclusion, it is your decision, religious beliefs or views on whether you would want to be buried or cremated. It’s important to talk openly with your family and loved ones on what decision you make, to take the steps to move forward. If you have any further questions or want more information on planning a funeral service, contact Russon Mortuary today.  

If you’re reading this, it is likely that you have lost a loved one recently and are trying to find the best way to honor their memory. A celebration of life service can be incredibly valuable and can help provide comfort for grieving individuals. One of the major benefits of a celebration of life is that it enables you to customize the service to showcase the unique personality of your loved one. At Russon Brothers Mortuary & Crematorium, we can help you to organize the ideal celebration of life service to meet your needs. Here are a few helpful tips for organizing a celebration of life service.

What is a Celebration of Life?

In order to effectively organize a celebration of life service, it will first be important to understand what the service is. In general, these services tend to be a slightly more upbeat alternative to a traditional funeral. However, it is important to note that these services can also be used in conjunction with a traditional funeral. Deciding on the right burial services will depend largely on the specific situation.

The Purpose of a Celebration of Life

A celebration of life can be incredibly beneficial for individuals that are grieving after the death of a loved one. They help to provide a sense of community, where grieving individuals come together to honor the memory of their loved one. A celebration of life will often include healing conversation between guests, as well as sharing of happy memories.

Ensure the Celebration is Personalized

When you start to organize a celebration of life service, you will want to ensure that the celebration is personalized for your loved one. This will help you to showcase what made that person special. Personalizing this celebration is a great way to honor their memory.

Choose a Location

Choosing a location is the first place to start when organizing a celebration of life. There are many options for hosting your service. Many funeral homes provide ample reception space to house these gatherings. You may also choose a place of worship or the home of a family member. It may even be beneficial to hold the celebration at a place that was special to the loved one, such as a park.

Personal Preferences

When you are planning the service, you will want to consider your own personal preferences, as well as the preferences of your guests. This will help you to determine whether you want the service to be formal or informal, as well as the type of atmosphere you want for the celebration of life.

Decoration

Decorations are a great way to personalize the service. You may decide to use decorations that align with personal traits of the person whom you are celebrating. Hobbies, passions, and other factors can help you to choose fitting decorations for the service.

Refreshments

It is important to note that refreshments will generally be expected at a celebration of life service. You may want to consider having the event catered, or creating a potluck, where guests will each bring a dish. Alternatively, you may want to choose some of the favorite foods of the loved one.

These are just a few tips to help you organize a celebration of life service. Our experts can help you to create the ideal service to meet your needs and honor your loved one. For more information about how to organize a celebration of life service, contact us at Russon Brothers Mortuary & Crematorium today.