Funerals are ceremonies whose purpose is to remember and pay respect to a person who has died.

Funeral customs and rituals may differ widely from one geographical area to another or between adherents of various religions.

Depending on local or religious traditions, funeral products will vary, and this portion of our web guide focuses on funeral products, particularly those that can be purchased online.

Given that they operate in a geographical space, funeral homes should be listed in the appropriate Local & Global category rather than here. Alternatively, they can be listed in the Funeral Homes & Morticians category in our Business & Industry section.

The global funeral products and services market was valued at US $62.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow by more than six percent over the next decade.

The Bahá’í religion emphasizes community, oneness, and peace, and these core beliefs carry over to Bahá’í death rituals and funerals. The only ceremonial requirement is the recitation of the Prayer for the Dead.

Buddhists believe in reincarnation and the cycle of rebirth. Funerals involve chanting, offering incense, and placing flowers. Cremation is common, with ashes placed in a stupa or urn.

Christian funerals can vary significantly across denominations. Common elements include prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and eulogies. While some Christian denominations discourage cremation, most allow for either cremation or burial.

Hindus believe in reincarnation and karma. Funeral rituals include bathing the body, cremation, and scattering ashes in a sacred river. The family mourns for a specific period, observing customs and prayers.

Zoroastrians believe in the dualism of good and evil. They practice sky burials, in which the body is placed in open-air structures where vultures consume it. Prayers and rituals accompany mourning.

Islamic funerals follow specific guidelines, as recorded in the Sunnah. The body is washed, shrouded, and buried within 24 hours. Prayers are recited.

Jewish funerals prioritize simplicity and respect for the deceased. The body is washed, and burial occurs quickly. Mourners observe Shiva and recite Kaddish.

Sikhs believe in reincarnation and emphasize equality. After death, the body is bathed and dressed in clean clothes. The community gathers for prayers and cremation.

Regardless of religion, there are differences in funerals conducted in North America, other Western countries, and the East, with specific national or regional variations.

Other funerals, more common in recent years than in the past, include celebrations of life, Jazz funerals, and eco-funerals, the latter of which are designed to return the body to the earth with little or no use of artificial, non-biodegradable materials.

Products associated with funerals include, but are not limited to burial vaults, caskets, cremation jewelry, flowers and floral arrangements, funeral cards, grave liners, gravestones or markers, guest registers, keepsakes for mourners, printed memorial items, memorial videos, note cards, plaques, prayer cards, sympathy cards, urns, urn vaults, and wreaths.

When planning a funeral, many people don't realize that they are not required to purchase items such as caskets (coffins) and urns from the funeral home, where they are sometimes marked up considerably. It is appropriate, and often cheaper, to shop around.

During what is commonly a stressful time, choosing funeral products can be both challenging and costly. There are so many choices, your time may be limited, and you may not be in the best emotional state to make a responsible decision.

There is no right way to go about it, but there are some things that you can do to make things easier and more affordable. Tips include setting a budget, shopping around, and asking trusted people for help. It's not always possible to shop ahead of time, but it can save you a lot of money.

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