A "traditional burial" in the USA involves the internment of the deceased's body, usually in a deep grave at a cemetery or churchyard. This is the most common type of service, in which a formal funeral service or ceremony is held in a place of worship or funeral home. The service is designed for family and friends to commemorate the life of their loved one. It is followed by a procession to the cemetery for interment (ground burial) or entombment (mausoleum burial) and a graveside service.

Traditional funeral services also include time for the family and friends to gather together before the funeral with the body of the deceased present (the casket may be open or closed). This is commonly known as "wake". It is usually held the day before the funeral service or over a period of two days, either at night or in a combination of day and evening hours. The duration of the visitation hours is scheduled to accommodate the needs of the family. Floral tributes are often displayed, as well as photographs and other personal items that reflect the life of the deceased loved one. Special music may be played too.

A traditional funeral service usually includes:

• A viewing or visitation period for family and friends to pay their last respects. The casket may be open or closed according to your preferences.

• A formal funeral service in a church, chapel or synagogue. The service may be contemporary or religious, and it may include readings, a eulogy, music, a funeral procession, and military honors.

• A hearse to transport the deceased to a final resting place.

• Earth burial, entombment or cremation.

The majority of cemeteries are non-denominational, and so most types of funeral service or ceremony can be conducted there. Advice will also be available from the ministers of the religion or religious organization that the deceased may have belonged to. Obviously if you choose to be buried in a churchyard, then the type of funeral/ceremony will be dictated by the particular faith practiced there.

Grave plots in cemeteries can be pre-purchased. The person who has died may already have arranged a grave space in a churchyard or cemetery which may be included in the will or papers.

People should be aware of pressure of space, particularly in bigger cities, most burial plots are sold on a system of leasehold of usually 50 - 75 years with 100 years being the maximum. When a lease is coming to its end, the relatives of the deceased are usually sort, to consider extending it for a fee. However, with families moving around a lot these days, contact can be very difficult if not impossible to achieve.

Consecrated churchyards are slightly different. In UK every parishioner has a right of burial in their local churchyard, provided there is space available and the churchyard has not been closed for burials. In addition, any person whose name is on the electoral roll of the parish at the time of their death also has a right to burial, as does any person dying in the parish, whoever that person is. Any exceptions to this must have the consent of the church authority who's decision is final, and some churches and parishes have their own slight variations (especially when it comes to memorial types), so best to check with the local priest or minister first.