The Enduring Importance of Funerals for the Bereaved

A funeral also plays a vital role in helping the bereaved establish a new reality, one in which the physical presence of their loved one is absent. The rituals, the final viewing, the burial or cremation, all contribute to a psychological shift, moving from a state of disbelief or expectation of return to an understanding of permanent separation. This difficult transition is eased by the structured nature of the ceremony, which gently guides individuals towards accepting the fundamental change in their lives and routines.