When a loved one passes away, it’s important that you take the time to process your own emotions, as well as be there to support those in your family who have also suffered the loss. A funeral is just one part of this, and there are many reasons why having a viewing and funeral can be important or necessary when it comes to the grieving process. Your funeral home near Adelphi, MD, can help you put together a meaningful service for your loved one. This can provide closure that nothing else can.

Many people who plan a funeral for their loved ones will be faced with the choice of having a viewing beforehand. This requires embalming services and the purchase of a casket. A viewing typically takes place the day before the funeral service, but in some cases, it may be held earlier on the same day. At a viewing, family, friends, and members of the community can come through and see the person they lost, one last time. This is a major part of accepting your loss, and it can be difficult to move forward without it. Each person who chooses to pay their respects will also be grateful for the chance to say a final goodbye. While facing the reality of that person’s death is not easy, it’s a necessary step in the process.

In addition to having the chance to say goodbye, a viewing also provides the opportunity for people to reminisce about the person they lost. Sharing funny, sweet, or meaningful stories of the departed can bring family and friends closer during a difficult time. It can also make it a little easier, lightening the mood with special memories. You may learn things you never knew about the person you lost. You can also allow yourself to begin to accept the reality of what has happened while acknowledging the significance of the past so that your life can slowly move forward.

Perhaps your loved one chose not to have a traditional funeral service. Maybe they wanted cremation services for themselves, rather than burial. For the immediate family, it’s still important to be able to say that final goodbye to their bodily remains. Even if you’re going with direct cremation, you can often still have the option of having a private final goodbye. For an hour or two, before cremation takes place, you and a small group of the family can spend a little more time with your loved one. Similar to viewing, this can be an important way to realize and accept your loss, allowing you to eventually heal and move forward with your life.

While not everyone chooses to have a viewing or final goodbye with their loved one, most people do. This is because it provides a significant step of acceptance in the grieving process. If you’re in need of help with planning a viewing, funeral, or cremation, contact your funeral home near Adelphi, MD, today. They can help you throughout the entire process, from beginning to end.