Houston Funeral Ceremony Services

Here at James Crowder Funeral Homes we offer several types of funeral services. Before you select a service it might help to think about why we have funerals. The funeral helps us deal with the reality that a loved one has died. It provides a time and place to remember and talk about the life and death of a loved one. The funeral is an appropriate time to say goodbye which is important in beginning the healing process. It is wise to choose a funeral that best meets the needs of everyone in your family, after all the services you select is a statement that your family makes to the community.

The Traditional Funeral Service is when your loved one is present. The night before the funeral there would be visitation generally in the evening with the casket open. The service itself is normally the following day either in the chapel of the funeral home or in a church, chosen by the family. A funeral often consists of scripture reading, prayers, a eulogy, sometimes a sermon, and music. After the funeral there is a procession to the cemetery,  for a committal service.  There is a reception to follow at the church or the families home which concludes the services.

A Memorial Service is when the deceased is not present. It may take place at the funeral home, the families, a church, or even outdoors. This is a time to remember your loved one through fellowship with friends and family. The memorial service can also be an addition to a traditional funeral service. For example having a traditional funeral service here and then a memorial service back in the deceased’s home town. Or, a memorial service can be done after a burial or cremation if this meets the need of the family.

The Committal Service is a brief service at the gravesite after a tradition funeral service but prior to the burial. This is where family and friends say their final good byes at the final resting place by placing flowers or sometimes sand on the casket. If the committal service is the only service then it becomes what we call a grave side service and is accompanied by a visitation the night before. The grave side service is a more lengthy service consisting  of scripture reading, eulogy, poetry, and music.

We offer a traditional funeral service followed by a cremation. Cremation is a form of disposition. It does not restrict you from having an  visitation, open casket and a funeral service the following day. It is even possible to have a procession to the cemetery for a committal service.

Direct Cremation is when there is no funeral ceremony. The deceased is placed in a refrigeration unit until the proper paperwork has been completed, and the necessary permits are obtained. Then the body is placed  in a cremation receptacle (container) and transported to a crematory. The cremation chamber is heated by gas jets.  Then the cremated remains are placed in a urn and ready to be buried, placed in a niche, or be taken home.

There is also a direct burial which does not consist of a funeral service. Again the person is placed in refrigeration until the proper paperwork is complete. Then the body is bathed, dressed and casketed. The casket is transported to the cemetery for burial.

Before choosing a funeral service take in consideration the needs of each individual family members and the many options available to your family. It may help family members to have a viewing type of funeral service, to begin the healing process. The body present serves as a focal point for mourners and helps them acknowledge the reality of death. If there are any questions that need to be addressed please feel free to contact us at one of our five locations: