Symbols, Music, Flowers and Catering

Symbols

The use of symbols in a funeral service can enhance the significant aspects of a person's life, and help create a very personal atmosphere for the service. Photos and flowers add to the ambience that is being created.

• Candles are generally recognised as a universal symbol of love, light and hope. Candle lighting during the service is always a very poignant ritual.
• A Flag draped over a coffin, the playing of the Last Post, and the red poppies used in the RSA tribute, speak to us of a person's contribution to his or her country.
• Other flags symbolic of the deceased's country of birth are also available.
• Academic, sporting or community achievement awards also tell us what has been achieved in a person's life.
• Art, craft, other artifacts and hobbies add to the dimension of the person whose life is being honored.

Music

Music speaks to our hearts - especially in a funeral service. The selection and use of music usually sets the emotional tone of the service.

Music can be played from tapes or CD’s, or by engaging musicians who play organs, guitars, keyboards, bagpipes, or the bugle.

Choirs, singers and soloists can also be arranged for a service.

Harbour City Funeral Home has an extensive CD library.

Flowers

Flowers are another symbol used at funerals. You can usually choose a favourite flower or combination of flowers and colors for a floral sheaf. Single flowers, or a bunch of flowers tied with ribbon can also be used.

The types and sizes of floral arrangements can vary. Some of the options available are:

• Coffin or Casket Sheaf
• Floral Tributes

Some people have used baskets of vegetables, sports equipment and other goods to personalize the floral tribute.

Instead of sending flowers, sometimes families prefer to invite friends to make a donation to a particular charity or community or health service in memory of the person who has died.

We will ensure that envelopes for donations are available at the service and are delivered to the organisation after the funeral.

Catering

The offering of refreshments after a funeral is regarded as an important aspect of the funeral service itself.

This is a time for meeting up with family members, sharing stories and recalling in greater detail the life of the deceased person. Sometimes this is the only opportunity for a family reunion.

Our facilities are available for this purpose and catering is provided at a minimal cost to the family.

Catering for refreshments at other venues can be arranged through local organisations and caterers.