Funeral Services in Altoona – Celebrate Life Iowa

A funeral ceremony is intended to provide mourners with a collective grieving experience and the chance to celebrate a life lived. While these services can be considered a rite of passage for the deceased, they can also be the start of a period of mourning for bereaved family members after a loss.

Coping after profound changes, like the death of a loved one, can be extremely difficult. Because of that, it becomes easier to understand the true importance of ceremonially acknowledging death and providing a space for friends and family during times of mourning.

 

Funeral Service Types

A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern, has two functions: to acknowledge the life and death of an individual and to bring the bereaved together in support of one another. The following list includes various types of services that our team can assist in planning for your loved one’s funeral.

 

Visitation

This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.

 

Funeral Service

This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, the reading of literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, or the singing of hymns.

 

Committal Service

If the family plans to bury the deceased, this stage involves the lowering of the casket into the grave, typically accompanied by spoken words or prayer.

 

Funeral Reception

This post-service gathering or repast is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support with family and friends.

We offer a number of affordable service options if you are choosing burial for your loved one. Each can be tailored to meet the needs and expectations of today’s price-conscious families. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help if you have any questions about our offerings.

Planning a Burial

When it comes time to make burial arrangements on behalf of a deceased family member, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions that need to be made. Here are a few things to consider as you start.

 

Selection of Cemetery & Burial Property

Because of the strong working relationships we have with local cemetery administrators, we can help you with this part of the process. Simply call us to get started.

But before you begin your search for burial property, know that the deceased may have already purchased a burial plot or mausoleum crypt. If that is the case, be sure to obtain the documents necessary to prove ownership of burial rights and bring them to the initial meeting with your funeral director.

 

Choosing a Casket & Vault

You’ll typically read that the casket is the single most expensive purchase you will need to make while planning funeral arrangements. Though we can’t really disagree with that statement, we can tell you that the purchase doesn’t have to cost more than you can afford.

We offer a wide selection of affordable caskets and burial vaults to choose from and will work closely with you to make the most appropriate selection for your needs while keeping the cost of your loved one’s burial within your budget.

 

Planning Burial Services with Our Staff

When you call us for assistance in making the necessary burial arrangements for your loved one, you’ll discover the value of having experienced staff committed to serving your needs during such a difficult time.

We encourage you to let go of your preconceived expectations as we work together to craft a truly personalized tribute dedicated to honoring your loved one’s life and memory.