At Gill Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services, we understand the pain that comes from losing a loved one. Whether the loss was expected or not, losing a loved one is never easy. In addition to the grief that follows, many families struggle with the financial and emotional stresses of planning a funeral service for a loved one. To help ease your pain and say a meaningful goodbye, we strive to offer affordable funeral services in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding metro area.
From the first call until long after the service has ended, your family can rest easy knowing we will be there to assist you. Whether it’s helping you select music to play during the service or connecting you with grief support resources, we will be by your side. It is our goal to plan a service that allows your family to say a loving and meaningful goodbye while providing a level of service that exceeds expectations.
Components of a Traditional Funeral Service
A traditional funeral service, has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.
A traditional funeral services includes:
Visitation
This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, the reading of literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, and the singing of hymns.
There are many options to consider when planning a funeral service. With each offering their own unique benefits, the choice is ultimately up to you and your family. Each of the funeral options listed below can be personalized to meet your family’s unique needs and requests. For more information about our funeral packages and pricing, please speak with a member of our staff.
01Funeral with Burial Service
A funeral with burial service is the most traditional type of funeral service and a popular choice among families. Featuring a visitation, funeral, and committal reception, families often choose to hold the funeral service at a church or the funeral home.
02 Funeral with Cremation
A funeral with cremation service features many of the same parts of a traditional funeral with burial service except there is no committal service. Following the completion of the funeral, guests can begin the reception and the deceased is transported to the crematory for care.
03 Graveside Service
Some families elect to hold the funeral service at the cemetery beside the grave plot. This type of service is a beautiful alternative to a traditional funeral as it allows guests to gather in an outdoor setting. A graveside service also eliminates the need for guests to form a processional and commute to the cemetery after the funeral. Instead, the service and committal can occur at once.
It is important to budget for the service you would like. Please feel free to view our funeral and cremation price guide to ensure you budget accurately.
It’s important to remember that when planning a funeral, the service is not just for the deceased, but also the guests. Although everyone is gathering to say goodbye to the deceased, they are also there to comfort and support one another. As you begin to start planning a funeral, remember to think about the guests who will be there.
There are many decisions to be made and it’s best if you work alongside others. We recommend speaking with other members of your family and listening to their input. Together you can come to a consensus and select the options that best suit everyone’s needs.
If you’re ready to begin planning a funeral service, below we have provided a checklist of steps when planning a funeral service.
Work out your budget
Pick ceremonial participants
Create a guest list
Reserve a date and time for the event
Hire an officiant pastor or celebrant
Select floral arrangements
Select music for each phase of the ceremony
Finalize the readings
Write personal statement(s) to be read at the service
Finalize the order of the ceremony
Submit an announcement to newspapers
Select your outfit for the service
Arrange for transportation
Select food and beverages for the post-service reception