A funeral is not just the main event at church, crematorium or cemetery on the day; everything that precedes and follows that event is part of the funeral process. There is often another ceremony – freer in form and content, often smaller and more intimate – for the burial/scattering of ashes, planting of memorial trees, placing of memorial benches, erection of headstones, etc., after the first funeral. Here, families can take a greater role in saying goodbye to their loved one, and this can also be an opportunity to resolve or heal any disappointments about or regrets from the first funeral.
Janet Eldred 2006
York Cemetery Trust
The second funeral: burying ashes and/or placing memorials
Events
The Cemetery Research Group runs two events a year: in May and in November. Follow the links and send in an abstract