The type of disposition you choose has a direct effect on after death services. When you choose natural burial or cremation that doesn’t involve embalming you can choose to have a graveside committal service at a green cemetery.
You may have attended a graveside committal at a traditional cemetery if a friend or family member was buried. If you’re now arranging funeral services for a loved one you may be in the beginning stages of planning a graveside committal yourself and aren’t sure what needs to happen or who you need to correspond with to get everything done in time.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown on how to plan a graveside committal at a green cemetery since there are a few extra considerations with natural burial and burying cremated remains.
Contact the Cemetery
The first thing that you’ll need to do is contact the cemetery. The cemetery manager will be the one to help you secure a burial plot and provide details on arranging a graveside committal.
Ask About Service Restrictions
It’s important to ask about restrictions for holding a graveside committal. Green cemeteries don’t allow a lot of the things that are common at a traditional cemetery because they are preserving the land. That means nothing can go in or around the gravesite that isn’t natural and biodegradable.
Ask About Preparing the Gravesite
You’ll also need to verify who is responsible for preparing the gravesite. Typically, the cemetery will handle this part, but you may be able to do it yourself if you prefer.
Ask About Parking and Access to the Gravesite
Figure out where and how many vehicles can park at the cemetery. Also ask about access to the gravesite, especially if any of the guests have mobility restrictions.
Contact the Funeral Home
If you haven’t already selected a funeral home, now is the time to do so. The funeral director can help you with the arrangements and figuring out the timing for a graveside committal. You can even request that the funeral director work directly with the cemetery manager to get everything arranged.
Ask About What Needs to Happen Before Burial
The funeral home will be responsible for preparing the body for burial. They can also help you get all of the necessary documents in order that are required for the disposition.
Ask About Transportation
Discuss transportation services to the cemetery from the funeral home if you plan to have a natural burial.
Ask About Casket and Urn Options
It’s important to ensure the funeral home offers caskets and urns that are appropriate for green burial. Only simple, natural wood caskets can be used. Urns also need to be made of a natural material that’s biodegradable.
Having the conversation can actually be a great way of finding the right funeral home since green burial requires the funeral home to prepare the body without the use of embalming fluids. And if the funeral home uses electric or hybrid vehicles for transport that’s also a good sign.
Figure Out the Graveside Committal Service Specifics
Now that you’ve reached out to the cemetery and funeral home to get the process started, you’ll need to turn your attention to planning the graveside committal.
Guests
Start by determining how many people will likely attend the graveside committal. You’ll need a headcount before moving on to other logistics.
Date
After talking with the funeral director and cemetery manager you should have a good idea of the date that the graveside committal can occur. Beyond preparing the body and gravesite, consider what date would work best for you and the other guests.
Time of Day
Sunlight and weather are a factor for the time of day that you hold the graveside committal. It also needs to be at a time that’s convenient for the primary guests and can accommodate transport to the cemetery.
Service Events
What will happen during the graveside committal? Here’s a rundown of what usually happens:
- Officiant welcomes the guest and says a few words about why everyone has gathered together.
- A prayer is said, lead by the officiant or a religious figure.
- Eulogies are given. These can be planned in advance or you can ask if any of the guests would like to say a few words.
- Scripture passages are another option that can be done in place of or in addition to eulogies.
- A committal prayer or final words with laying flowers on the casket.
- Lowering the casket or urn into the ground before closing the grave.
You can choose to also play music at any point during the ceremony or limit it to just a few words from the officiant before lowering the casket. There is no right or wrong way to hold graveside committal services.
Invites
You also need to decide how you will invite guests to the graveside committal. Today, many people use social media to announce deaths and share information about funeral services. If you only plan to invite a few close friends and family it may be best to reach out by phone to invite them directly.
Get Everything That’s Needed for the Service
After the specifics are decided you’ll need to get everything for the service. Here again the funeral home can provide assistance. You’ll need to get:
- Enough chairs for all of the guests.
- A large tent for the gravesite and guests.
- Flowers and wreaths or request guests send them in advance.
- Personal mentos and printed pictures to display during the service.
It’s a good idea to touch base with the cemetery manager to make sure everything you plan to bring for the service is allowed.
Choose the Officiant
A big decision is going to be who acts as the officiant during the graveside committal service. Often families choose a spiritual or religious leader if the deceased belonged to a church. You can also opt to have a family member, friend or professional officiant take on the role.
Keep in mind the first person you choose may not be open to the idea if you ask a friend or family member to be the officiant. They could be opposed to public speaking or simply feel like they won’t be emotionally up to the task.
Need help arranging a natural burial or cremation services? Cremation.Green offers a full selection of eco-friendly funeral services, and we can work directly with green cemeteries in Texas to arrange a graveside committal.
Give us a call, text or email today for immediate assistance.
