What is a committal service?

Below, we explore what happens at a committal service, the things you need to consider when planning one, and how these ceremonies differ for burial and cremation services.

The death of a loved one affects us all differently, and the way we honour their death varies across different cultures and faiths. From the time someone should be buried or cremated after death, to the rituals that happen on the day, so much of what happens at funerals is dictated by the culture or faith we belong to.

Anyone can have a committal service, regardless of their religious beliefs, but this practice is a Christian ritual, traditionally associated with Catholic and Orthodox sects.

For many, seeing their loved one laid to rest will provide a sense of closure and time to reflect on a life well lived. However, this ceremony will be different depending on whether someone is buried or cremated.

• Burial: when someone is buried, a procession will be formed, leading guests from the funeral venue to the cemetery, before the coffin is carefully lowered into the ground.
• Cremation: when someone is cremated, last goodbyes are said by family and friends before the curtains are closed on the coffin (subject to the bereaved family’s wishes).

Committal service vs funeral service: what are the main differences?

A common misconception is that the funeral service and committal service happens at the same location. Although this can be true for cremations, this isn’t the case for burials.

A burial funeral service is typically held at a place of worship, a funeral home or another designated venue, like a private residence or a woodland. A burial committal service will be held graveside in a cemetery or churchyard.

Another key difference is the order in which these services take place on the day and who will attend. A committal service traditionally closes out a funeral and is sometimes only attended by a smaller group of close family, whereas a funeral service is usually a larger gathering of people.
Finally, the tone of both services is markedly different. A funeral service consists of eulogies and music, often celebrating the life of the person that has died. Whereas a committal service is sombre and reflective, as guests say their final farewells before laying the person to rest.

What happens during a committal service?

Committal services are often a lot quicker than funeral services, lasting anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. For a burial, a smaller group of guests will join the funeral procession to where the committal service is taking place after the service has finished. For a cremation, a smaller group of guests may form at the front of the crematorium as other guests leave.

Although anyone is free to have a committal service if they want, these ceremonies are usually religious, so a priest will likely lead the service. But non-religious celebrants can also run these ceremonies at the crematorium or graveside. If the ceremony is religious, the priest will lead guests in prayer and reading of religious scripture, and then family and friends will have a chance to speak.

Those in attendance will then be invited to pay their final respects, before the coffin is carefully lowered into the ground or people leave the crematorium. Once this has happened, guests at a burial committal service may place a handful of soil or flowers on top of the coffin.

It is then customary for those in attendance to pass on their condolences with the family of the person that has died. This is typically followed by a reception or wake at a separate location.

How to plan a committal service

Planning a committal service gives you the opportunity to invite a smaller group of guests to say goodbye after the funeral service has ended. It allows you the space to reflect on the life well lived and honour their legacy.

For many, following tradition and religious rituals will provide comfort during such a distressful time. But there is no obligation to organise a committal service. You are free to plan something more personal and informal if you would prefer. What’s important is you do what feels right for you and your loved ones.

If you are planning a committal service, here are some of things you might want to consider:

• Location: this will depend largely on whether your loved one is being buried or cremated. Whether the service happens graveside or at the crematorium, pick somewhere that is peaceful and will allow people to reflect properly.
• Guests: a funeral service is usually a larger gathering of people whose lives were touched by the person that died. A committal service gives you and your family the privacy of a more intimate final farewell, should you want that.
• Who will lead the service: this could be a religious leader like a priest, a non-religious celebrant, or even a family member.
• Will the service be religious or not: this choice won’t only affect who leads the service, but also whether religious readings are shared.
• Personal touches: just like a funeral service, a committal service can be personalised to reflect the hobbies and interests of your loved one. Think about flowers, specific readings and music but also think about inviting people to share their favourite memories with everyone present.

If you’d like more guidance on how to plan a committal service, speak to your local funeral director.