Funerals as a tradition have existed for literally thousands of years. There are many burial sites throughout the world that indicate this was the way people managed the disposal of a body after a death in their family. While most people conduct these services, not many are aware that it helps in the grieving process. Let’s take a look at how:

• A funeral is one way to honor the deceased person and celebrate their life. The person’s family and friends congregate to attend this event. The person that has passed would have a specific influence on everyone’s life and a funeral is a time to mourn that loss.
   
• When people lose someone close to them, they tend to go into denial. If the death was sudden or tragic, this aspect is even more evident. But when they go through the motions of conducting or attending a funeral, it gives them some sense of finality. They are then able to move past the denial stage and mourn the loss of that person.
   
• A funeral provides comfort and a sense of stability when you feel unsure and uncertain about things.
   
• Going through the service and the funeral demands focus and the process is very systematic. This helps people deal with the initial shock and move forward.
   
• Funerals give family members, friends and acquaintances a chance to say farewell to the deceased person and they can all get some support from each other in their time of grief. This is a crucial aspect of the healing process.
   
• When people attend a funeral they get spiritual comfort. Even atheists can find solace in these rituals that they go through when a loved one passes away.

If you want to know more about ashes, memorial services or cremation, don’t hesitate to contact us at Charles J. O’Shea Funeral Home. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.