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At Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, we feel honored to help families tell their loved one’s story. A meaningful funeral allows family members, friends, and the community the opportunity to come together to mourn the person they lost, but also to celebrate a life well lived. Our expertise is in creating meaningful and memorable services. By customizing our offerings, we give families the chance to truly honor their loved one.
We believe that funerals are important ceremonies of proven worth and value for those who mourn. They provide an opportunity for the survivors and others who share in the loss to express their love, respect, and grief. Through funerals, the bereaved take that first step towards emotional adjustment to their loss.
A typical funeral has three parts.
- Visitation: A visitation allows family and friends to see their loved one and share stories with each other. This usually takes place at the funeral home. It could be the evening before or the same day as the funeral service. A lot of families prefer this to be informal and have an open house feel.
- Funeral: The funeral service itself is a structured service that usually incorporates special music, poems, eulogy, message, and scripture readings that are meaningful to the family. Funerals usually take place at the funeral home or a local church, but we have also led services at local parks, event centers and even on a frozen lake. Many families choose to have one of our certified funeral celebrants lead the service. (Link to Celebrant Information)
- Committal Service: The committal service is a brief ceremony at the cemetery. It may be private or public, depending on the wishes of the family. At the committal service, final goodbyes are said and the person who died is laid to rest.
A funeral may be formal and scripted or completely unique and custom. There are many ways to personalize the service. When we meet with a family to plan a funeral, we listen to what their needs are so we can help create a unique tribute for their loved one.
Opportunities for personalization include music, photos, memorial cards, pallbearers, casket selection, military honors, and flowers. These all allow the funeral service to have special meaning and help families to say goodbye and start their healing process.
Public Funeral Service
A public service allows friends, family, and the entire community to come together to honor your loved one. Information about service dates and times may be listed in local newspapers or on social media. Services are open to the public.
Private Funeral Service
A private service is by invitation only and may be held at the funeral home, church, or the cemetery. Usually, invited relatives and a few close friends attend the funeral service.
Graveside Service
A graveside service is a simple service offering for families who do not want a full funeral service or visitation, but still would like to gather at the cemetery for burial. Usually, a member of our staff would lead a committal service at the graveside before your loved one is laid to rest.
Natural Burial (Green)
Natural Burial allows the body to be returned to the earth to decompose as naturally as possible. Natural Burials can take place at several cemeteries within Minnesota. We offer biodegradable caskets made from natural materials and vaults specifically designed to allow the natural elements to work in an expedited manner supporting the spirit of Natural Burials. Choosing a Natural Burial still allows families to have a private or public viewing and visitation time. Cremation options are also available and follow our GREEN standards.
Immediate Burial
An immediate burial is the simplest burial option. This is a burial without a visitation or a funeral service. We will coordinate and oversee burial at a local cemetery.