Mormon Funeral Traditions
Mormon Funeral Traditions
At Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, our professional staff has the knowledge and years of experience to help our Corona and Riverside neighbors from a variety of cultures and religions. When a family loses a loved one, they should never worry whether a funeral home is familiar with their ceremonies and traditions. This includes those in the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Latter-day Saints believe that when a person dies, the soul separates from the body and goes to paradise or a spirit prison depending on the life lived. Because of this belief in life after death, funerals have a mournful yet celebratory tone. The burial is within one week of death, with a funeral service typically held at a chapel or a funeral home owned and operated by a Latter-day Saint. If a funeral is held at a chapel, the ceremony may be private. Non-Mormon friends and acquaintances are encouraged to check with the family or those at the facility before attending.
The clothing worn by the person who died is an important element within the Mormon Church. If the person who died has taken part in an endowment ceremony, which is a sacred rite in the Latter-day Saint movement, they are to be buried in their all-white temple garments.
Before the funeral, there is a time of visitation where family, friends and church members gather to offer support and show respect. A viewing is then held in a Relief Society room. Those who are not members of the family are asked to go to the chapel, while the bishop and family remain for a prayer. The pallbearers then escort the casket to the chapel with the family following behind. Before the casket is brought into the chapel, the bishop asks everyone to rise. The funeral director and pallbearers then place the casket in front of the chapel and assist the family with seating.
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The bishop or minister leads the funeral ceremony, which features prayers, a sermon, and hymns that were often chosen by the person who died, along with eulogies delivered by family and friends. Because a funeral is seen as an opportunity to share the Mormon message with non-believers, the officiant may read from The Book of Mormon and encourage others to embrace the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Because the Mormon Church places high value on the teaching that the body and soul will be reunited, burial in a casket is preferred, though cremation is not forbidden. A brief graveside service led by a Melchizedek priesthood holder (or high priest) includes prayer and petitions. Afterward, a reception is held with food provided by the women of the church. This “mercy meal” includes traditional comfort food and gives funeral goers another opportunity to gather in a less formal setting.
No matter your religious or cultural traditions, our staff is ready to plan a final farewell that honors your beliefs. If you have questions or are interested in putting your own funeral arrangements in place, feel free to reach out to us anytime.