When a loved one passes away, funeral services fill some important needs.

As far back as you can go in human history, you will find funeral rituals.

Rituals are symbolic ceremonies that help us express our feelings about important life events. They unite us and help us feel at ease, as they typically follow an established order. In these ever-changing times, more than ever, traditional rituals like funerals play an essential part in our lives.

1. Funerals help us honor our loved one’s memory. Funerals allow us to show our love for someone. Even though that person may no longer be with us, we are able to honor them and show others how much we care.

2. Funerals allow us to begin the healing process. When someone passes away, we feel grief. In order for us to start to heal we must be able to mourn. Funerals allow us to express our grief in a safe and supportive environment. Those who avoid having a funeral often express that their grief feels "put on hold.”

3. Funerals offer hope for the living. Coming together to remember the blessings of a life well-lived can provide us with hope. Even though funerals are sad occasions, sharing memories and stories of a loved one can help us feel some closure and help us feel hopeful about the future.

4. Funerals provide a support system. There’s a reason why funerals involve other members of our families and communities. They publicly announce our loss and allow others to step in to help support us and lift us up. This is why it is common for others to send flowers, prepare meals and help with simple daily tasks following a loss.

5. Funerals allow the community to pay its respects. It’s important to remember that others are grieving too. While the death of a family member is a very personal loss, other family members, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances are likely also feeling grief during this time. The funeral service allows for the community as whole to express their grief.