6 Steps to Planning a Graveside Burial

When it comes to the ceremony of honoring your deceased loved one, there are a few options available. 

One way to do this is a graveside burial. This ceremony occurs at the burial site, typically after the casket is already in place, or right before it is to be lowered. A graveside ceremony can also be held for people who are cremated, such as at a mausoleum or other place of interment. 

Benefits to a Graveside Burial

There are many reasons you might choose a graveside burial service. 

Typically, these services are quicker and less expensive than a full funeral service. This is good for people who are struggling in their grief and might be overwhelmed by interacting with other mourners.  

Due to its simplicity, it may also be ideal for certain religious reasons, like Buddhists for example. Because it is removed from the typical church setting, a graveside burial can also provide a ceremony without any religious overtones at all, perfect for those who did not practice a religion in their life.

Another benefit to an outdoor ceremony is the ability to social distance and reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

If you are planning a graveside burial for yourself or a loved one, here are 6 steps you should follow:

Choose the Location

First, decide the location of the burial. It’s possible the deceased person has already chosen their final resting spot, so it’s important to begin by checking their legal records and end-of-life wishes.

If they haven’t chosen a spot, you can compare local cemeteries to find the best one for your loved one. You should also consider the faith of the deceased person and your budget for the burial.

Select the Casket or Urn

The next important decision you will make is regarding the casket or urn they are to be laid to rest in.

Once again, your budget might be an important factor in this decision. But besides that, you can also consider the size, style, and material of the burial vessel, and choose the one your loved one would have appreciated the most.

You may also consider some eco-friendly options that are becoming more and more widely available.

Coordinate With the Cemetery Director

There are many things to consider when you’re planning a burial service, but the good news is you don’t have to do it alone. 

The cemetery director is there to help you coordinate all the parts of the event, including the transportation of the body and preparation of the site. They can also help you keep track of all the little details of the ceremony. 

Cemetery directors are very compassionate, given their experience with grieving people. Coordinating with them early on can make the entire process much easier. 

Notify Attendees

Next, you will need to notify the grieving friends and family of the ceremony. This can be done through simple RSVP, or with the help of technology. For example, a Facebook event or memorial website can be set up to keep everyone informed.

Some people choose to have a graveside ceremony following a full indoor funeral service. If this is the case, you might choose to have the funeral open to the public and reserve the graveside burial for the closest friends and family, or vice versa. 

Plan the Ceremony

Arguably the most important and sentimental part of the ceremony is the text that is read. This could include scripture, song lyrics, poetry, the obituary, or some other parting words.

Hymns or other songs may also be sung around the burial site.

Finally, there is often some sort of tradition to commence the burial, such as throwing handfuls of dirt onto the casket, or lighting candles. 

Select the Headstone

The last step of the burial ceremony occurs after the ground has settled, and that is the setting of the headstone. However, if you want the headstone already set at the time of the service, expedited setting options are available for an additional fee. 

Much like the ceremony itself, headstones are incredibly diverse in options and customizable to fit every individual’s needs. Find the grave marker that perfectly honors the life that was lost with help from the experts.

Custom Memorial Markers, Urns, & More in Maryland

Here at Merkle Monuments, we understand the difficult time you’re going through. That’s why we work hard to make our grave markers, urns, and other memorial options as accessible as possible. 

We use only the highest-quality materials in our products, and the beautiful results are sure to speak for themselves. Let us help you navigate your options! Call Merkle Monuments today to begin your project.