Traditional Burial

Burials today can be as varied as the personalities of the deceased. Some people are buried at sea; some, today, are buried “naturally”- without the use of a casket – and still others are never buried at all. They are cremated and their ashes scattered over some special place.

A typical ceremony for a traditional burial is a celebration of the deceased’s life. It usually includes a brief sermon performed by a pastor who has played an important part of the deceased’s person’s life. And, in most traditional burial ceremonies, that sermon is followed by a few remarks from special friends and relatives. The traditional burial also includes, of course, performances of some of the most beloved music enjoyed by the deceased.

Traditional burial ceremonies typically take place over the course of at least two days and have three distinct stages. First there is the “viewing” also called a “wake” in some religions. In this portion of the burial ceremony, the deceased’s body is on display for public viewing for several hours. Friends and family members approach the coffin one-by-one and pay their final, private respects.
After the viewing come the “service,” the aforementioned ceremony in which a pastor, friends and family, and musicians stage a public celebration of the loved-one’s life. This portion of the traditional burial ceremony is typically held at a church or some other large, public place, and hundreds of people often attend.

And, finally, there is the “internment,” the portion of the burial ceremony in which “pallbearers” transport the deceased from the location of the service to the final resting place.

Why choose traditional burial?                                          

“Cemetery” has its roots in the ancient Greek for “sleeping place,” a reflection on the belief that death is a type of sleep. The deceased is buried in a casket and left to decompose over time. Some cultures believe that a body must be whole in the afterlife, which rules out cremation.
American traditions try to maintain some connection between those still living and those who’ve gone before. Cemeteries are often places of recreation. Reverence for tradition, family, and community supports traditional burial. The tradition of burial has come a long way from its humble beginnings. As burial is carried out now, human remains are far removed from the natural processes that would return us to the earth. Modern U.S. cemeteries are designed to ensure our perpetuity in the flesh. Caskets are made of impenetrable materials and spaced closely (to maximize land use).

Burial isn't the only conventional funeral option. Cremation dates back to the early Stone Age; it's still popular today and it's cheaper than traditional burial. In the United States, 32 percent of corpses are cremated. Although cremation has now been done in America for about 125 years, it didn’t really take root here until about 25 years ago. Now about 1 in 4 Americans chooses cremation over traditional burial. It is worth noting that cremation produces carcinogenic dioxins, trace metals, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. So much for the ecological argument in favor of cremation! 

Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is Oceanside cemetery, founded in 1798, is the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego still in operation. The Mission is committed to taking care of the California cemetery as part of this National Historic Landmark. Immediate need or advanced planning, our experienced and caring staff is available to help you. Contact us for San Diego funeral services.