Interment
In Delaware and across most of the United States, in ground burial, called interment, is considered to be the most traditional disposition of the deceased. Interment requires that the remains be placed in a casket and then placed in the earth in a cemetery. Oftentimes, the cemetery requires the grave space be lined with a burial container that can be made of concrete, steel or other permanent materials. The grave space is usually topped with a monument or a flat marker that is inscribed with the name, date of birth and death of the deceased. Markers and monuments can now include pictures and engravings to personalize each location.

Entombment
Entombment is the term for above ground disposition in a cemetery. The casketed remains are placed in a family or community mausoleum. A mausoleum is a building with chambers in which to place the casket. Traditionally, mausoleums were owned by private families to have family members entombed in one structure. Since these buildings are usually expensive to make, many cemeteries have now constructed community mausoleums where spaces may be purchased like grave space. Each space is usually marked with a plaque with the name of the deceased.

Viewing and Funeral Ceremony
Interment and entombment are usually preceded by a viewing, also called a wake or calling hours. Viewings are most commonly held in the evening at the funeral home and then followed the next day by a formal funeral ceremony at the funeral home or at a place of worship. In recent years, however, many families have opted to have the viewing and funeral ceremony on the same day at the funeral home. Many churches are now able to provide a place for a viewing in church with a Christian Mass or other ceremony following. While same day services are not as traditional, they are more cost efficient and still considered to be a respectful funeral for a loved one.

Graveside Services
A graveside service is a small, dignified service held at the gravesite or at a cemetery chapel. Typically, there is no public viewing or funeral ceremony. In some circumstances, the common preparation of the deceased, such as embalming or cosmetics, is not required. Because graveside services can require less preparation than those with calling hours and a funeral ceremony, the cost can be considerably lower. Yet, many grief counselors feel that full funeral services can be of significant value in the grieving process, and, therefore, graveside services are not recommended for everyone.

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