Granite is one of the more popular materials for gravestones. The reasons for this are both aesthetic and practical. The granite looks appropriately austere, and granite that is high in quartz is highly weatherproof. This makes sense when you consider that the gravestone will be outside in all types of weather, and while some maintenance and restoration could be needed many years down the line, it's intended to be a permanent fixture. But what about extreme weather when the grave is yet to actually be filled? What can you do when there's heavy rain on the day you bury a deceased loved one?
Open Air
The open air nature of a cemetery means that the mourners will fully experience whatever weather is on offer on that day, and there's nothing that can be done about this, short of postponing the burial, which is not a particularly practical option. The grave itself will have already been dug, quite often the day before, and unless there was torrential rain that made this an impossibility, the grave will be there, ready to constitute the final resting place of your loved one.
Straightforward Steps
When the weather is particularly bad on the day of the burial, there are certain straightforward steps that can be taken, such as reminding all mourners to bring an umbrella or raincoat. You might wish to assemble a few spare umbrellas for the purpose. And yet, in the event of torrential rain, there might be those who decide that they're not able to be present at the burial itself. This means that they might miss the graveside service, if one was planned.
Burial Rites
A graveside service is a short religious ceremony, with the priest in attendance saying an appropriate prayer as your loved one is committed to the earth. Generally speaking, this is not the same as the actual funeral service, which would have already taken place at a church or at the funeral home's private chapel. It's conceivable that you could invite the priest to the wake to repeat the burial rites for those who weren't able to attend the burial due to the weather, but this is very much a personal choice. And yet, this option can discourage elderly or unwell family members from attending the burial, which can be a good thing, if the time spent in the rain would be detrimental to their health.
When rain is an issue on the day of the burial, it can be wise to make the process brief, while still giving the occasion the solemnity it deserves. Just remember that an encore of the burial rites can still be welcomed by some at the service, so it can be wise to make these arrangements if at all possible.
For more information, contact your local cemetery or funeral home.
Share28 May 2020
Welcome to my blog. My name is Molly, and a few years ago, I lost my husband to heart disease. He had only just turned fifty, and it wasn't anything we were expecting. Through my intense grief, I had to host and organise a funeral. I wanted to include religious elements from our pasts, but I also wanted to be true to the non-religious but spiritual beliefs of my husband. I think many people are in the same position, and if you are, I want to help you. This blog focuses on making funerals meaningful. It provides tips, ideas, facts and more. I hope it inspires you.