Burial Services in North Hollywood, CA

The earliest human burial dates back 100,000 years making it one of the longest-lived and most widespread of traditions. For an overview of the many different burial traditions, check out the websites in the Resources section below.


We have the deepest respect for this traditional practice. If you are interested in learning more about the burial services we offer, please review the following information. Should you have questions about anything, please call us.


There are many things to consider when deciding whether to bury a recently-deceased loved one, or when selecting burial during funeral pre-planning. One of the first decisions you'll need to make involves choosing both the cemetery and the specific place of burial within its grounds. You'll then need to select a casket and possibly a burial vault, as many modern cemeteries require their use. At some point, and this does not have to take place right away, the decision becomes one of selecting the headstone or marker and writing the inscription. A member of our professional staff will be available should you wish to have assistance in making each of these decisions.

What is a Burial or Graveside Service?

First of all, what is a burial or graveside service? That might seem like a trivial question, but we find that even now there are people that come to us and do not know how a burial service is structured, or what it’s true purpose is. If you are considering a burial service for either yourself or a loved one, it is important that you read the information provided. This page covers the different burial services that we offer and gives you a breakdown of the various options for each.


Burial services are simple ceremonies that fulfill the religious requirements valued by some people as well as the environmental preferences of others. We are happy to assist families in arranging burial services in Saginaw, MI, and are available to talk about burial and graveside services at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss burial services.

Reasons to Have a Natural Burial

Simplicity
Many people today hunger for greater simplicity in their lives; a life that is  natural, uncluttered, and uncomplicated. This is a desire which is nothing new to the human heart. Consider the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Quaker religious orders who continue to strive for a simple, sincere approach to life. We've long wanted to focus on what is most important, and the simplicity of graveside services does just that.
The Natural Setting
What better place to celebrate the life of a loved one than under the open sky, beneath trees, or beside flowers? No matter the type of cemetery that your loved one's burial services is held at, the emotional and spiritual comforts of the natural surroundings will be keenly felt.
Religious Requirements
There are profound religious reasons families choose burial services over any other final care option. For example, the Christian concept of resurrection of the body is deeply held by many and makes burial an act of religious ceremony. Jewish families and those practicing Islamic traditions also have strong religious and social commitments to burial.

The Importance of Witnessing
As mentioned earlier, human societies of all times and in all places have incorporated burial into their cultural or religious practices. This long-lived social relationship with burial has resulted in a core belief shared among peoples around the globe: burial is an act of respect, made most meaningful when witnessed.

How to Plan a Burial Service

Burial services can be seen in hundreds of Hollywood films and television productions; some are uplifting, others are humorous; and some merely attempt to convey the emotional weight carried by the characters involved. Because of these cinematic efforts, most are familiar with the appearance and traditional ceremonial format of a burial service. But when it comes time to make arrangements for a graveside service on behalf of a deceased family member, it can be challenging to turn what is only vaguely familiar into a truly meaningful, deeply personal event. 

We’ve broken down a burial plan into three areas of concern: choosing a casket and burial vault, planning a graveside ceremony, and the selection of a cemetery and burial plot. 

1

Buying a Casket

You'll typically read that the casket is the single most expensive purchase you'll need to make during this time. And while we can't really disagree with that statement, we will tell you that the purchase doesn't have to cost you more than what you can afford. We have a wide selection of affordable caskets to choose from and will work closely with you to keep the cost of your loved one's graveside service within your family's budget. 

The cost of a casket aside, the type of casket you buy will be based largely on personal preference. Would you prefer a casket of fine hardwood or metal? There are caskets of walnut, cherry, maple, oak, pine and other species of wood. Metal caskets come in varying thicknesses and a wide array of finishes. We don't want you to guess what's best for your situation; instead we'd like you to turn to us for assistance.

Besides a casket, you will also likely need to purchase a burial vault because most cemeteries require them. Burial vaults protect the casket and support the soil around the casket so to ensure the soil does not collapse onto the casket causing it to sink. Most burial vaults are made out of concrete and lined with plastic.  

2

How to Plan a Graveside Service

The details really depend on your motives and emotional needs. If simplicity is your primary focus, then the graveside service we design could look very different from one which is guided by religious doctrine. The service format will also be impacted if you choose to have a funeral ceremony prior to the graveside service. If you do choose to have a traditional funeral beforehand, then the graveside service can be much simpler and may only include the Rite of Committal, a final set of prayers given to the deceased.  
 
And while you could think of your loved one's graveside service as a modified version of a typical funeral, with a member of the clergy leading attendees in standard hymns or prayers; we'd rather you let go of your expectations. That way, we can come to the planning process with no limitations to our creativity. Together we'll determine the best date and time for the graveside service, and select the most meaningful readings, songs and activities to be featured.  
 
We'll discuss who you would like to lead the event; it could be your funeral director, a member of the clergy, a celebrant, family member, or close friend. Certainly, the selection of the cemetery and graveside plot are practical decisions; but planning the service format is where the heart can take over. Your funeral director will sit with you for as long as it takes to bring love and memories into the event. He or she will explore your loved one's life with you to find the essence of who they were, all in the effort to craft a fitting graveside service.

3

Selecting a Cemetery & Burial Plot

Before we get too far into the subject, we should mention that a family member may have already chosen and purchased a burial plot or mausoleum crypt. It's also very possible a distant relative purchased a large section in a local cemetery intended for the future burial of family members. In either of those situations, you'll need to obtain the documents necessary to prove ownership of burial rights and then bring them to the initial meeting with the funeral director. 

What if there is no such pre-plan in place? Then you will need to locate a cemetery and select the burial property on your own. And while we know today's consumers are smart and have access to more information about products and services than ever before, we also know that the purchase of cemetery property isn't a commonly-made transaction. 

Are You Ready to Talk About Graveside Services?

We're ready to listen. In fact, that's what we do best: we not only hear the words, we understand the feelings and the familial dynamics behind them. When you call us at for assistance in making the necessary arrangements for a graveside service, you'll discover the value of having an experienced ally committed to serving your family as you would wish to be served.
Sources:
  1. Wikipedia, "Burial", modified 2014, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial
  2. National Parks Service, "Burial Customs and Cemeteries in American History", accessed 2014
  3. Funerals & Flowers, "Death and Funeral Customs", 2013