Brainard Funeral Home

Celebrations of Life

Types of Services

Funeral services for all beliefs

Brainard Funeral Home provides Protestant, Jewish, Roman Catholic and Humanist funeral services for central Wisconsin. Below we provide a generalized description of each based upon the tenets of the faith. While each belief has overarching tenets, we respect your desire to individualize the funeral service and will customize the funeral service according to your wishes.

• Protestant funeral services. Services are usually designed by the Pastor as defined by the family and often incorporate a scripture lesson related to resurrection. Protestant funerals are generally preceded by a visitation period. During the visitation, the casket is open or closed depending on the family’s wishes, but is usually closed during the actual funeral service. Attendees are welcome to send flowers or gifts. The service may also include prayers, a sermon, a group reading and hymns.
• Jewish funeral services. Services vary among the Orthodox, Conservative and Reformed branches, but in general the funeral service serves as the beginning of ceremonies. The ceremony usually consists of prayers that praise life, with emphasis placed on people gathering to commemorate the deceased by sharing memories. Attendees are encouraged to make contributions to charity rather than sending flowers. Traditional Jewish families remain at home for seven days after the funeral to receive visits from friends and relatives. The deceased’s memorial stone may be unveiled at a ceremony months after the funeral.
• Roman Catholic funeral services. The funeral is celebrated in three stages: the vigil (wake), the funeral liturgy (Mass), and the final disposition of the body or cremated remains. The funeral service is regarded as a time to gather, pray, read scripture, tell stories and support those who are grieving. The funeral liturgy is usually held in the parish where the deceased was a member. At the graveside, tomb or crematorium, the body is committed to its final resting place in consecrated ground.
• Humanist funeral services. Humanist services are held for those without defined religious beliefs. Families and friends gather to acknowledge the loved one’s death, offer support, and share their grief and remembrances. A friend or family member may preside over the ceremony. Ceremonies commonly feature music, singing and readings of poetry or literature that held some meaning for the deceased.

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