The Healing Power of Funerals: How Rituals Aid in the Grieving Process

In a previous blog, I’ve spoken about the different kinds of funeral customs there are around the world, and the different traditions other cultures have. However, all funerals, no matter their traditions and rituals, have the same purpose; to help loved ones of the deceased come to terms with their loss and honour the person who has passed away.

Here are several ways in which funerals aid in the grieving process:

Funerals serve as a way to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the person who has passed away. They provide an opportunity to celebrate the life of the deceased, their accomplishments, qualities and the impact they had on others. Eulogies are often shared by family and loved ones, highlighting memories and happier times.

Many people say the death of their loved one didn’t really hit them until the funeral. Funerals allow people to come face to face with the reality of death, and acknowledge the loss of their loved one. This then allows the person to begin to process their emotions, and come to terms with the loss, allowing them to start working through their grief.

Funerals offer a safe space for people to express their emotions.This can be cathartic, allowing someone to express emotions they may have been bottling up since the death. The readings of eulogies, poems, or just sharing memories encourage this expression of emotions.

A funeral provides an opportunity to say goodbye to the deceased, offering loved ones a sense of finality. Many of the rituals involved in funerals contribute to a sense of closure; a procession to the burial site, the closing of the crematorium curtains, the lowering of a coffin into the ground.

Funerals, though sad occasions, do tend to bring people together, as the family and friends of the deceased gather to say their final farewell. The presence of others who are going through a similar experience can provide comfort and a sense of shared understanding. Memories can be shared, support can be offered, and people can offer their condolences to the bereaved. This can help with feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany grief.

Funerals provide a structured and supportive environment allowing people to begin the grieving process and face the emotions caused by their loss, as well as finding solace in the presence of others who share their experience.

Thank you for reading.