Planning a Graveside Burial Service: What to Know

A graveside burial service is one of several options you have when planning end-of-life care for yourself or a loved one. It can serve as the main farewell or be held in addition to a traditional funeral.

In this guide, we’ll explain what to expect at a graveside service, how to plan one, and how long they typically last.

What Is a Graveside Committal or Burial Service?

A graveside burial service takes place at the cemetery, typically right at the site of the casket or urn’s final resting place. These ceremonies can happen after a funeral or as a standalone tribute, depending on a few factors.

Why Choose a Graveside Service After a Funeral or Wake?

Many families choose to hold a graveside service following a traditional funeral or wake for several reasons:

• Emotional Closure: Witnessing the casket or urn placed in its final resting place can help mourners come to terms with the loss.
• Spiritual or Religious Reasons: Certain faiths or cultural traditions include specific burial rites that take place at the gravesite.
• Final Tribute: The graveside moment allows for final prayers, military honors, or symbolic gestures, such as placing flowers or earth on the casket.

Why Choose a Graveside Service as the Only Ceremony?

A standalone graveside service offers a simpler and often more personal way to honor a loved one. Some families forego a formal memorial for several reasons:

• Lower cost: Graveside services typically cost less than traditional funerals with viewings and receptions.
• Simplicity and intimacy: These services are usually shorter and more focused, which some families find comforting.
• Outdoor setting: Being outside in a natural environment may feel more peaceful and fitting for the person being remembered.
• Alternative preferences: Some individuals and groups, such as Buddhists, Quakers, or secular families, prefer quiet, minimal, or nontraditional gatherings.

What Happens During a Graveside Burial?

While each service is unique, most graveside services follow a similar structure. The ceremony may include:

• A welcome by the officiant or celebrant
• Readings (religious or secular)
• Prayers or blessings
• Music or hymns
• Personal reflections or a eulogy
• Military honors for a Veteran
• Final words and committal
• Guests placing flowers or earth on the casket or urn

The mood is typically solemn and reflective, but it can also feel warm and personal, depending on the family's preferences.

How Long Are Graveside Services?

Graveside services are generally shorter than full funeral ceremonies. If graveside services are held after a funeral, they may last 20 to 30 minutes. When they are the only ceremony, graveside burial services can last up to 45 minutes or even an hour, depending on the number of readings, prayers, or personal tributes included.

The length also depends on cultural and religious customs, weather conditions, and the number of people participating in the ceremony.

How to Plan a Graveside Burial Service

Here are some things to consider when planning a graveside burial service for yourself or a loved one.

Choose a Cemetery or Burial Site

Start by confirming if a plot has already been purchased. If not, contact local cemeteries or explore:

• Family plots
• Green burial grounds
• Mausoleums or columbaria

Some cemeteries allow the resale of unused plots, which may help reduce costs.

Select a Casket or Urn

For burial, pick a casket that reflects your loved one’s values, faith, or style. Caskets may vary by:

• Material (wood, metal, biodegradable)
• Lining color
• Exterior personalization (engraving, artwork)

Urns used for burial range from traditional and straightforward to decorative or custom-designed, and they often include a variety of personalization options to reflect your loved one’s life and style. Some families inter a small portion of ashes while scattering the rest in a meaningful place or choosing another way to remember their loved one. 

Choose a Person to Lead the Service

Your funeral home or cemetery staff can help you find the right person to lead the service. If your loved one was religious, their religious leader— priest, minister, rabbi, or imam —is a natural choice. Many funeral homes offer certified celebrants for secular graveside services. You may also ask a family member or friend if they are comfortable leading the service. 

Coordinate with the Funeral or Cemetery Director

Funeral homes with a cemetery can coordinate all the details, whether you choose to have a memorial before the graveside service. If you are using a stand-alone cemetery, the cemetery director manages logistical information, including:

• Transporting the casket or urn
• Preparing the burial space
• Setting up a tent and seating
• Providing sound equipment (if needed)

Ask about the cost of these services, which are typically not included with the plot purchase. You should know that headstones or monuments are ordered separately and installed later. You’ll also pay a setting fee for the headstone.

Plan the Program for the Service

Decide what you want to include, such as:

• Poems, scriptures, or meaningful readings
• Music (live or pre-recorded)
• Eulogy or shared memories
• Military honors or ceremonial rituals

Personal touches like flower tributes or symbolic gestures

Be sure to communicate your preferences to the funeral home or celebrant. If a specific religious leader is involved, they may follow a traditional format unless you request otherwise.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Graveside Service

A graveside service can be a peaceful, meaningful way to say goodbye, whether alone or following a traditional funeral. At Afterall, our network of funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation providers works together to give you the exact service you want for yourself or a loved one. We invite you to visit one of our locations near you to learn more. You’ll also find helpful resources on planning a memorial, what to expect when you visit a loved one’s grave, ideas for headstone inscriptions, and comforting memorial gifts. 

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