Define Interment Funeral: Understanding the Funeral Process

Last Updated on: August 26th, 2024

Reviewed by Kyle Wilson

Have you ever wondered about the different ways we honor our loved ones after they pass away? Among the various funeral practices, define interment funeral as a timeless tradition that holds deep cultural and emotional significance. But what exactly is an interment funeral, and why does it play such an important role in the way we say our final goodbyes? Understanding this practice can provide insight into how we celebrate and memorialize life, even in the face of loss.

Get Free Quotes

Customized Options Await

How to define interment funerals?

What is interment? Put simply, it’s when we place someone who’s died in their final resting place. Define interment funeral in a way that it is a process of burying a deceased person’s body in the ground, usually within a cemetery. This could be a traditional burial or a natural burial, where a coffin is lowered into the ground. But nowadays, when people talk about interment, they’re often talking about the interment of ashes. There are lots of ways that ashes can be interred. We’ll look at some of your options below.

It’s good to know that the meaning of interment is different from “internment”. It’s easy to mix the two up because they sound the same and have very similar spellings. Internment (with an “n” in the middle) is when somebody is placed in prison, usually within the military.

Where can an interment funeral ashes take place?

The procedure for the interment funeral ashes starts with finding a permanent location.

Possible locations include:

A Local Authority cemetery
A burial ground or churchyard
A green or natural burial ground (they tend not to allow headstones)

Interment funeral Options for the Cremated Body

- Lawn Crypt

Essentially, a lawn crypt is a type of underground mausoleum. It’s built deeper into the ground and can house multiple caskets. Often made of concrete, a lawn crypt possesses a drainage system, which protects the grave’s contents from the elements. In some cases, families are all buried together, but it’s not a requirement. Make sure to ask a cemetery representative if they use individual grave markers or just one for everyone buried in the lawn crypt.

- Traditional burial

In traditional burial, the body is interred whole and may be preserved by employing embalming so that the deceased can be displayed before the funeral rites and burial rites. Before burial, the cemetery prepares the location by digging a hole at the grave and may then place a grave liner or burial vault in the hole. The casket is then placed in the grave by the cemetery grounds crew after the committal service and more soil is then added to the grave. Finally, a tombstone with an epitaph is placed at the site as a form of honoring the deceased

- Mausoleum

A mausoleum is an above-ground structure used when the remains are placed in a casket. They provide individual methods for remembering your loved one, such as name etchings, nameplates, and vases for flowers. A mausoleum commonly contains individual or companion niches and safeguards the body from the environment. It is made of community mausoleum and private mausoleum kinds. In most situations, a private mausoleum is far more costly. Mausoleums are ideal for people who wish to have their remains buried with their loved ones in their tomb.

- Natural (or Green) Burial

There is another form of full-body interment that is natural or green burial. Green and natural burials are an attempt to mimic the natural process of decomposition as closely as possible. The main differences are two-fold: The main differences are two-fold:

1) Green burial does not allow for any type of embalming, while the cemetery ground is approved merely for green burial.

2) Green burials can only happen on very specific areas of land while a natural burial can happen on any piece of private property or any cemetery that permits it.

Other Interment funeral Options

A few lesser-used interment options are:

Burial of ashes in a biodegradable urn by planting it with seeds so that a tree will grow on the site
After cremation, the ashes are combined with cement to form a reef to assist the oceans to recover.
They include, for instance, the launching of the cremated body into space.
Being involved in burial at sea service is an option that is possible with both the full body and cremated body.
For other options, refer to Meaningful Ways to Honor Your Loved One’s Ashes

- Burial Vault or Mausoleum

A burial vault is a structure built within the grave that holds one or many remains. An example of this would be a mausoleum.

A mausoleum is essentially a large tomb. It is a monument, often made from stone, designed to house the remains of one or several individuals above ground. Like burials, mausoleums commonly contain personal mementos to markers related to the deceased.

There are many types of mausoleums. Common ones include:

Public/common Mausoleums. This is a structure that holds multiple individuals inside of the same place. Anyone is allowed to visit and pay their respects.
Private Mausoleums. This is a type of mausoleum restricted for family use. These can be found on private property or purchased at a cemetery.
Garden Mausoleum. This type of mausoleum is found outdoors and often decorated with flowers, plants, statues, and more.
Sarcophagus mausoleums. This type of mausoleum is partially underground and has no door or windows within the structure.
Vestibule Mausoleums. This is a small structure that looks similar to a house. There is typically a door entrance that leads into an inner burial vault. These are also often private or family-owned.

- Columbarium

Entering the final arrangements of the cremated body, the most common choice is a columbarium. Columbaria are made of a large number of small spaces also referred to as shelves that contain one casket or urn. Every grave is usually provided with a plaque which is an engraved tombstone that contains the names, dates of life, and an inscription (if the mourners desire). All Columbaria are standard and public, but a family may lease a larger niche so that more than one urn can be placed side by side.

- Urn Burial

There is also the option to insert an urn instead of placing it on a columbarium shelf. Whereas some have beautifully decorated urn gardens, others provide burial lots that are almost similar to the regular burial ones. A traditional plot can contain several cremated remains or can accommodate a casket and an urn, due to regulations of a particular cemetery. In urn burial just as in conventional burial, there is a need for an outer burial container. The third form of burial associated with urn burial is green burial. Natural burial can also take place in a green cemetery with biodegradable urns without an outer burial container.

- Scattering

It is allowed to bring the cremated body of the deceased to a specific place (it is advisable to consult the legislation and requirements for that place) or go to a scattering area, which is usually a picturesque territory connected with a cemetery. A scattering garden makes a burial ground for creating a permanent physical memory so that family and friends have a place where they can be close to the departed person. Therefore, if you are to spread all the ashes of a deceased loved one, it would be important to prepare yourself emotionally for the experience. There are some who may be surprised that all that was left of their loved one suddenly disappears.

As you can make out from the above descriptions, you have several interment options with you. Depending on your wishes and the needs of your family, you can choose the one that best suits everybody. Whichever one you decide to take, always ensure that you set aside a place for burial so that people, especially your friends, family, and generations to come can visit the site, remember, and even pay their respect for the life that has been lived.

Ideas for an Interment funeral Ashes Family Ceremony

Traditional interment ceremonies usually follow this basic structure:

The ashes and all necessary paperwork are delivered to the location ahead of time.
Family members gather at the appointed place and time for the memorial service.
When it’s time, a speaker called the celebrant begins the service with introductory words and, if it is a religious ceremony, prayer.
One or more friends or family members are invited to share eulogies.
The ashes are placed where they will be interred.
Once the interment is complete, the celebrant closes the ceremony with a few parting words.

However, these are guidelines only—the exact details of how your interment of ashes family ceremony will proceed are entirely up to you. If you’re not quite sure what you’d like, here are a few ideas to help ease the burden of the planning process.

Decor and music ideas

Flowers and candles are common choices for interment funeral services, but there are other options you may want to include in addition to, or place of, these elements, such as:

Art created by, or featuring, your loved one, such as portrait photographs or paintings.
Decorative objects that represent their interests or beliefs—for example, books they enjoyed or a color scheme based on their favorite colors.
A playlist featuring songs they love or that others associate with them. If you prefer to use more traditional music, consider religious hymns or classical pieces.

Conclusion

As we Define interment funeral , it becomes clear that an interment funeral is more than just a burial; it is a profound act of remembrance and respect. By asking ourselves what an interment funeral truly represents, we can better appreciate the traditions that connect us to our past and help us honor the lives that have touched our hearts. How will you choose to remember and celebrate those who have left a lasting impact on your life?
References:

Iqra Malik

Senior Writer & Licensed Life Insurance Agent

Iqra is a dynamic and insightful senior writer with a passion for life insurance and financial planning. With over 8 years of hands-on experience in the insurance industry, Iqra has earned a reputation for delivering clear, actionable advice that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future. At Burial Senior Insurance, she not only excels as a licensed insurance agent but also as a trusted guide who has successfully advised over +1500 clients, helping them navigate the often complex world of life insurance and annuities. Her articles have been featured in top-tier financial publications, making her a respected voice in the industry.