Glossary
Graveside service
A graveside service is a ceremony held at the burial site, usually just before interment. It may be the only service or may follow a funeral held elsewhere, and is often shorter and more intimate, with readings, prayers, or final words at the grave.
Also called a committal service, it marks the moment the body is laid to rest. Mourners typically gather around the grave, and the officiant may lead brief readings or remembrances.
Some families choose a graveside service as a simpler alternative to a larger indoor funeral, while others hold both.
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Common questions
- What is the difference between a graveside service and a funeral?
- A graveside service is held at the burial site, usually just before interment, and is often shorter and more intimate. A funeral is typically held first at a funeral home or place of worship. Some families hold both; others choose only the graveside service.
- How long does a graveside service last?
- Graveside services, also called committal services, are usually brief — often around 15 to 30 minutes — with readings, prayers, or final words at the grave before the body is laid to rest.
- Can a graveside service be the only ceremony?
- Yes. Many families choose a graveside service as a simpler, lower-cost alternative to a larger indoor funeral, holding it as the sole ceremony rather than in addition to one.
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