How do Bare Memorials compare to traditional funerals?

Many people come to Bare because they want something different. They know we’re not your average funeral provider, we go the extra mile for every single person that comes our way and we can offer something different to their local funeral home.

Keep reading to learn more about how a Bare Memorial compares to a traditional funeral service.

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What is a traditional funeral?

A traditional funeral is a heartfelt ceremony that honours the life of a departed loved one. This meaningful event brings together family and friends to remember, celebrate, and say goodbye. It encompasses a series of rituals that can vary based on cultural and religious backgrounds, but some key elements are usually present.

The funeral typically starts with a viewing or wake, offering a chance for people to pay their respects. The main funeral service follows, often held in a place of worship or a funeral home. Here, heartfelt speeches and eulogies help paint a vivid picture of the person's life and legacy. After the service, if it's a burial, there's a procession to the final resting place. Alternatively, for cremation, the body is prepared accordingly. This can be followed by a graveside service or a reception, where stories and memories are shared over a meal. 

What is a Bare Memorial?

Bare Memorials have many elements found in traditional funerals. Once we have cremated your loved one and returned the ashes back to you, the planning for the memorial begins. 

This initial step allows us to transition seamlessly into planning a memorial service that takes place at a separate time and location to the cremation, while giving the family space to grieve in the initial days or weeks after the loss. 

A Bare Memorial incorporates all elements of a traditional funeral service, the key difference being the presence of your loved one's ashes instead of a coffin. We meticulously arrange all components of the memorial service, including the venue, professional celebrant, flowers, service booklets, and a photo and music slideshow.

Important factors of a Bare Memorial.

Affordability.

A Bare Memorial service provides a more affordable and meaningful alternative to traditional funeral service. Families can considerably lower their costs by eliminating high-cost features like an expensive coffin, embalming, and burying plot. 

A Bare Memorial service's flexibility allows it to be held at a variety of locations, such as a family home, park, or community centre, which can further cut costs. In addition, with a Bare Memorial service, families can spread ashes in a meaningful space or keep them in an urn, eliminating the need for a burial plot or a columbarium niche. This allows families to commemorate and remember your loved one's life in a personalised way while remaining affordable and eliminating financial burden.

Time.

Unlike traditional funerals, which often require time-sensitive arrangements because of the embalming and preparation of the deceased's body, a Bare Memorial service allows for more schedule flexibility. Families can schedule the memorial at a time that is convenient for them and their loved ones, providing for a more casual and accommodating way to say farewell. 

Additionally, because there is no need for a burial ceremony immediately following the service, limitations on time are reduced, allowing the memorial to be held at a later date if desired. This gives family and friends plenty of time to gather, share memories, and commemorate the life of your loved one.

Intimacy.

Families can create a more personalised and private gathering with a Bare memorial, providing a deeper sense of closeness among attendees. By removing the deceased's body or coffin, the emphasis shifts to sharing cherished memories and stories, creating an atmosphere of heartfelt connections rather than mourning. Families can select intimate locations such as a beloved home, a tranquil park, or a meaningful place, allowing for a more meaningful tribute.

Key differences between a traditional funeral and a Bare Memorial.

Presence of the deceased.

In a Bare memorial service, the ashes of your loved one may be present or not during the service. In a traditional funeral, the deceased's body is typically present in a casket or coffin.

Atmosphere .

A Bare memorial service is more of a celebration of life, whereas traditional funerals tend to be more solemn and focused on mourning.

Venue.

A Bare Memorial service can take place in a wide range of venues, from traditional chapels to more casual settings like parks, homes, or restaurants. Traditional funerals are generally held in a funeral home, church, or graveside.

Conduct of service. 

A Bare Memorial service is conducted by a professional celebrant of your choice, and will be assisted by a dedicated arranger that will accompany the family throughout the planning and service. Traditional funerals are typically conducted by a priest, minister, or celebrant in a more formal ceremony.

Attire. 

The dress code for a Bare memorial service can range from formal to themed, reflecting the personality or preferences of your loved one. At a traditional funeral, the attire is generally formal.

Displays. 

In a Bare memorial service, in the absence of a coffin, you can display photographs, personal items, and mementos on a memorial table. In a traditional funeral, the focus is usually on the casket or coffin, with personal items less commonly displayed.

Final resting place. 

A traditional funeral often concludes with a burial or interment, while a memorial service doesn't have this element, with the cremated remains either scattered at a special place or kept in memorial keepsakes like jewellery.

Final thoughts on Bare Memorials.

We can tailor a memorial service to you and your loved one's needs, whether that is a more traditional service, or a more relaxed celebration of life.

It can be hard to know where to begin without the guidance of a celebrant or funeral arranger. The good news is that arrangers are available to help you plan and organise a fitting memorial service. 

At Bare, our Memorial Services can be held in the weeks, months or even years after a loved one has passed away. Our dedicated funeral directors will guide you through the entire process, from choosing a venue to selecting the right flowers and much more. 

If you’re interested in a Bare Memorial Service, click here to learn more or give our friendly customer service team a call on 1800 071 176. We’re always here for you.