Short answer: These guides explain, in plain English, what many traditions generally do between death and burial, who leads, how services run, and what guests can expect. Practices vary by community and family, so use them as a starting point and ask your own clergy or elders for the final word.
Which tradition page should I read?
Pick the page that matches your family, or read more than one if your family is blended. Each guide follows the same order, so you can compare them easily.
- Catholic
Vigil, funeral Mass and committal, with guidance on cremation and ashes.
- Protestant
Visitation, a service of scripture and hymns, and graveside committal across many denominations.
- Eastern Orthodox
Trisagion prayers, an open-casket service, burial and memorial days.
- Latter-day Saints
Temple clothing, a ward-led service, a grave dedication and community support.
- Jewish
Prompt burial, tahara, shiva, shloshim and Kaddish.
- Muslim
Ghusl, the kafan, the janazah prayer and prompt burial.
- Hindu
Family-led rites, cremation, immersion of ashes and a mourning period.
- Buddhist
Chanting, quiet reflection, merit-sharing and memorial observances.
- Sikh
Antim Sanskar, kirtan, Ardas, cremation and bhog.
- Secular and humanist
Building a meaningful service without religious rites.
- Interfaith families
Planning together when family members hold different beliefs.
Why do these guides stay general?
Practices vary
Every tradition includes many communities, cultures and ways of observing it. These pages describe widely known practice only. They are not a rulebook, and we are not a religious authority. Please ask your clergy, elders or community organization.
Families may also follow a tradition differently from the way their parents did, or blend customs from more than one background. That is common and nothing to be ashamed of. The goal is to help you ask good questions and be prepared.
If a page says something that does not match what your community does, trust your community. Then tell us, so we can improve the guide.
What topics does each faith page cover?
- What generally happens between death and burial.
- Who leads the funeral and who takes part.
- Typical service elements, in order.
- Views on cremation, embalming, autopsy and organ donation, where broadly agreed.
- Mourning customs in the days, weeks and year after the death.
- What guests can expect and what to wear.
- How to tell a funeral home about your needs.
Where a tradition has no single position, the page says so plainly and points you to your own leaders.
How do I tell a funeral home about my tradition?
Say it on the first call. Many faith customs have timing needs or preparation steps, so the sooner the funeral director knows, the more options you will have. Ask whether they have worked with your tradition before, and whether they can arrange for your clergy or community volunteers to take part.
It is fine to ask about things that matter to you, such as washing the person's body, keeping certain articles with the person, avoiding embalming, or waiting for a ritual. A good funeral director will listen and explain what is possible under local law.
Our guide to choosing a funeral home lists questions to ask, and our cultural overview gives a quick comparison. If your family has different beliefs, read the interfaith page.
Where can I find comfort beyond planning?
Grief and faith often move together. Our spiritual comfort section offers readings, ways to sit with doubt, simple breathing practices and guidance on working with a chaplain.
- Spiritual comfort
Readings, meditation, rituals and chaplains for the days after a loss.
- Cultural and faith overview
A side-by-side table of traditions.
How do I use these guides with my family?
Read one together, out loud if that helps, and mark anything that matters to you. Then write down two lists: what is essential for your family and what is flexible. Bring those lists to your clergy member and your funeral director.
If relatives live far away, share the link to the page that fits your tradition so everyone starts from the same picture. It can lower tension when people already know why a custom matters.
If you disagree about something, pause before deciding. Our family guides cover how to plan together and what to do when relatives see things differently.
Do these traditions share anything in common?
Though practices differ, many traditions share a few themes. Most treat the person's body with care and respect. Most gather a community around the family. Most use prayer, silence or reflection, and most mark the days and months after the death in some way.
- Respect for the person who has passed, in both words and actions.
- Support for the family through food, visits and presence.
- A time for stories, music and shared memory.
- Ways to continue remembering after the funeral, such as anniversaries and memorial days.
Knowing this can help blended families find common ground. You may not agree on every rite, but you can often agree on care, community and remembrance.
What should I do first if the funeral is only days away?
Call your clergy member or community leader first, then your funeral director. Timing rules in some traditions are strict, so the order of calls matters. Share what you know and ask what can be done today.
Then write down the main facts in one place: the person's full name, the tradition, the leader's phone number, the place of worship and any wishes the person shared. Having these ready saves time on every call.
Frequently asked questions
Are these guides written by clergy?
No. They are written as general, plain-English overviews and checked against widely available sources. Your own clergy or elders should always have the final word.
What if my tradition is not listed?
Ask your community leader and your funeral director. The interfaith and secular pages also offer ideas that apply broadly.
Can I mix traditions?
Many families do. Talk with the leaders involved, and consider a faith rite followed by a separate gathering.
Do funeral homes know these customs?
Many do, but experience varies. Ask early and ask for references from your community.
How do I plan an interfaith funeral or memorial service?
An interfaith service blends elements from more than one tradition, and the key is open conversation with family and the people leading the service. Decide what matters most to your loved one and to each family member, such as readings, prayers, music, or rituals. Some officiants are experienced at interfaith ceremonies, and some venues are open to guest clergy. What to do: speak with one or two officiants about their approach, share a draft program with family before the day, and keep the service simple and respectful of each tradition represented.
Can a funeral home arrange clergy or a place of worship?
Funeral homes can often help you contact clergy or celebrants and may host services in their own chapel, but they do not replace a place of worship. If your family belongs to a congregation, contact the clergy early to learn about their policies, scheduling, and any fees. Some places of worship hold funerals for members only, while others welcome families who are not regular attendees but share the faith. What to ask: ask your clergy about available dates and requirements, and ask the funeral home whether they coordinate with the place of worship, music, and cemetery on the day.
What is a secular or non-religious funeral like?
A secular funeral focuses on the life and personality of the person rather than on religious practice, and it can take almost any shape. Common elements include music, stories, readings, poems, photographs, and a eulogy, sometimes led by a celebrant or a friend. The setting may be a funeral home, a park, a restaurant, or a private home, and the length and style are entirely up to the family. What to do: choose a few meaningful moments, invite two or three people to speak, and ask a celebrant or the funeral home to help with timing and logistics.
How soon after a death are funeral services held in different traditions?
Timing varies widely by tradition, family, and logistics, and there is no single rule. Some communities hold services within a day or two, while others wait several days to allow relatives to travel. Local laws, medical examiner involvement, and cemetery schedules can also affect timing. Because customs differ, check with your own community, and remember that many families adjust timing to fit travel and the availability of the officiant, the venue, and the cemetery. What to ask: ask your clergy or community leader about customary timing, tell the funeral provider early about any time preferences, and confirm what flexibility the provider and cemetery have.
Who can officiate a funeral if our family is not religious?
A funeral can be led by a clergy member, a celebrant, a funeral director, or a trusted family member or friend, depending on your wishes. Many families without a specific faith choose a professional celebrant who writes and leads a personal ceremony. Some funeral homes can recommend officiants, and some states have rules about who may sign legal documents. What to ask: ask the funeral home about officiant options and fees, ask each candidate about their approach and experience, and share stories about your loved one so the ceremony reflects their life.
What if family members hold different beliefs about the funeral?
When family members hold different beliefs, the most helpful approach is to listen to each person and look for elements everyone can accept. Start by identifying what your loved one wished, if known, and which parts of the service matter most to each relative. A neutral officiant, a private family moment, or two separate gatherings can sometimes help, and there is rarely only one right way to honor a person. What to do: hold a calm conversation before the funeral director meeting, write down shared priorities, and consider asking a trusted clergy member or family counselor to help find common ground.