What is a Funeral?

All we need to do is say the word "funeral," and within microseconds, you have an image in your mind of what a funeral looks like. This mental image comes from many sources: the geographical place, culture and society in which we live; our faith; our life experience. Obviously, a funeral service in Illinois would look very different from one held in Tanzania; there are even significant differences between the funerals held in ethnically and geographically diverse regions of North America.

Yet, despite the differences, these funeral services have much in common. We invite you to read further to learn the straightforward answer to the question "what is a funeral?" We encourage you to call us if you have questions about what you read here. One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the broad spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.

What Makes a Funeral Service?

No matter where it's held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.

Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past, and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors—the immediate family most especially—has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way. 

It could be said then, the focus of a funeral service—no matter where, no matter when—lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.

Traditional Funeral Services 

At Lawn Funeral Home, we understand the difficult and emotional experience of saying goodbye to a loved one. That is why we provide dignified compassionate funeral services in Burbank, Orland Park, Tinley Park and all of the Cook county area.


We offer a full range of funeral services to meet the needs of each family we serve. We are here to assist with all aspects of the funeral process, from selecting a casket or urn to arranging flowers and other decorations. We also offer quality cremation and memorial services and can assist in writing heartfelt obituaries and eulogies. 


Our goal is to help families navigate the funeral process and to provide them with the highest level of care and understanding. 

The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services

A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), 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.

If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to call us to begin.
Funeral Service Visitation
Funeral Service
What is a funeral commital
Funeral Service Reception

Funeral Services in Burbank, Orland Park, & 
Tinley Park, IL

For families and individuals living in Cook County, IL (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life . If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Call to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.

Lady and Child Walking Down Trail in Funeral Service Attire
Sources:
Huntington, Richard and Peter Metcalf, Celebrations of Death: The Anthropology of Mortuary Ritual, Cambridge University Press, 1979
Rostad, Curtis, "The Basics of Funeral Service", Indiana Funeral Directors Association, 2014