THE oldest known burial took place about 130 000 years ago.
Burying the dead is perhaps the earliest form of religious practice and suggests people were concerned about what happens after death.
Evidence suggests that the Neanderthals were the first human species to practise burial behaviour and intentionally bury their dead, doing so in shallow graves along with stone tools and animal bones.
Cremation and funeral services create meaningful funerals that honour and celebrate the life of the deceased in a personalised, meaningful and positive way and provide for the emotional and psychological benefit and overall well-being of the surviving family and friends.
When we experience the death of someone we love, a funeral service fills several important needs. Funerals helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died.
Funerals offer continuity and hope for the living. They provide a support system for family, friends and the community.
Both funerals and memorials are held to celebrate a deceased person’s life and to give the opportunity to those who knew them the chance to pay their respects. A funeral takes place when the deceased person’s body is present.
A funeral is one of the most important occasions where proper etiquette should be upheld. A reception or gathering after a funeral is a good opportunity for people to spend time together and remember the person who died.
Funerals often bring people together who may not have seen each other in some time, and a reception also provides an opportunity for people to reconnect.
