A funeral is an opportunity to pay one's last respects to the deceased. Even when the service isn't religious, a funeral is generally ceremonial—typically following a set order. You, as well as other family and friends, may want to pay private respects to a loved one who has passed away. This is not necessarily so simple at a funeral, with an audience in attendance. Should you arrange a visitation for your loved one? 

A Quiet Moment

A visitation, also called a viewing, is simply spending a quiet moment with the deceased before their funeral (and subsequent burial or cremation). It can offer some much-needed one-on-one time and can be a valuable part of the grieving process. The viewing involves an open casket displayed in a private room in the funeral home—generally on an evening leading up to the funeral. All interested parties may attend (although attendance is of course completely optional), allowing them to bid a private farewell to someone who meant a great deal to them.

Open Casket

As mentioned, the casket will be open, and a visitation allows you to look upon your loved one one last time. The subsequent funeral service may also be open casket, but this isn't always the case. In many instances, a visitation will be that last time. Your chosen funeral director can plan custom funeral services for you, and arranging a visitation is very straightforward. Depending on your needs, more than one visitation can be arranged, conditional upon the schedules (or number) of those who wish to attend. However, because a visitation typically involves an open casket, certain preparations must be made.

Preparations for a Visitation

Every effort will be made to make your loved one look as lifelike as possible—presenting them as you remember them. This often involves embalming, but this isn't necessarily compulsory. Embalming requires the use of strong preservative chemicals, and this may not be something that you and other family members are comfortable with. Funeral homes generally have the ability to preserve remains in cold storage. Your loved one will be dressed and groomed, and their open casket can then be displayed for the visitation. Afterward, your loved one will be placed back into appropriate storage until the funeral service begins.

A visitation may be your only opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection with your loved one's earthly remains. Please discuss the matter with your chosen funeral director, since such arrangements are very straightforward to make.

Reach out to a funeral home to learn more about funeral arrangements.

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