Glossary
What is 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 under a tent or canopy, and the officiant may lead brief readings, prayers, or remembrances before the casket is lowered. Services run from a few minutes to around half an hour.
A graveside service may follow a fuller funeral held earlier at a funeral home or place of worship, or it may stand alone. Choosing it as the only ceremony is often a simpler, lower-cost path, since it does not require a separate indoor venue, viewing facilities, or as much staff time.
Where the burial takes place can shape it: military honors may be added at a national or private cemetery for an eligible veteran, and some faiths have specific committal rites. The cemetery's charges for the plot and for opening and closing the grave are separate from any funeral home fees.
Related terms
Interment
Interment is the act of placing a body or cremated remains in their final resting place, most often by burying a casket in the ground or entombing it in a crypt. The cemetery fee to open and close the grave is commonly called the interment charge.
Memorial service
A memorial service is a ceremony to honor someone who has died, held without the body present. Because it is not tied to the body, it can take place days or weeks later, in any location, and is common after direct cremation or immediate burial.
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech that honors and remembers the person who died, usually delivered at a funeral or memorial service. It is often given by a family member, close friend, or officiant, and may include stories, qualities, and shared memories.
Pallbearer
A pallbearer is one of the people who carry or escort the casket at a funeral, typically from the service to the hearse and to the graveside. Pallbearers are usually family members or close friends, and honorary pallbearers walk alongside without lifting.
See also
Common questions about Graveside service
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