Preparing the Body

• According to the Wyoming Funeral Directors Association, many funeral traditions date back to pagan times. For instance, the practice of holding a wake prior to the funeral service comes from the practice of keeping vigil around a loved one to ensure they didn't come back to life.
  
  Covering the deceased's mouth with a sheet and dressing the deceased in special clothes for the funeral are meant to take care of spirits. By putting a sheet over their mouth, their spirit was prevented from leaving their body. The funeral clothes were meant to hide the deceased from returning spirits.
  
  

Christian Funeral Services

• Graveside services typically include a prayer.grave marker image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
  
  The basic purpose of a Christian funeral service is to pray for the deceased's soul and to comfort the deceased's loved ones. All Christian church services contain variations of the same order of ceremony. The funeral opens with a prayer, hymns are sung, scriptures are read, a eulogy often is given by close family or friends to honor the deceased's life and the minister says some closing words. Sometimes a graveside ceremony also takes place where more prayers are said.
  
  

Funeral Arrangements

• Small flower arrangements often are placed right in the casket.WhiteRose image by mathieulaprise from Fotolia.com
  
  There are four types of common funeral flower arrangements; some types bear a certain significance to the occasion. While a funeral wreath symbolizes eternal life and is meant to be displayed at the funeral, a simple flower arrangement is meant merely to provide a beautiful way to give the deceased's loved ones comfort.
  
  Funerals sprays are more functional and sit on the casket. They are viewable only from one side. Inside pieces are small arrangements placed inside the casket for aesthetics and symbolic comfort for the deceased.
  
  

Flower Meanings

• Flowers can carry a lot of symbolism when it comes to funerals.Flowers image by Andrew Podlaski from Fotolia.com
  
  When deciding what types of flowers to use in a funeral service or to send to a deceased's loved one, consider the meaning of the blooms itself. Most flowers are repdete with symbolism; for instance, tulips, roses, red chrysanthemums and carnations can all mean love, while Daisies, lilacs and orange blossoms can all symbolize innocence.
  
  It should be noted that not all cultures use flowers in their funeral services. For example, the Jewish faith buries their deceased within three days of death, therefore many of that faith feel flowers are unnecessary.