Culturally Sensitive Maine Funeral Homes

Maine funeral homes are here to help you with all your special needs. As a country that prides itself on being a melting pot of people from countless cultures, ethnicities, national origins, races, religions, and creeds, the United States understandably has a rich funerary tradition. Directors of funeral homes in Maine appreciate this diversity and understand the need to be sensitive to their clients’ cultures. Most likely, funeral homes in your area of Maine are prepared to meet the needs of a diverse population. If you have special requests for your loved one’s funeral, be sure to ask your funeral home director.

What are some of the more common requests Maine funeral homes get from clients? In many cultures, offerings are made to the dead and subsequently burned. Find out if funeral homes in your area can provide burn containers. Some cultures organize all-night wakes for the dead, which may make child care an issue. Many funeral homes actually provide special lounges with toys, video games, and other diversions to provide a more suitable environment for youngsters. Ritual cleansing during funeral services is a common practice in many cultures. Check out if funeral homes in your town in Maine have cleansing facilities to meet your needs. These customs, however, are a drop in the bucket when it comes to the rich vastness of traditions for honoring the departed in America.

While Native American cultures are by no means homogenous, they are often similar in their veneration of the earth, the animals, the trees, and the natural spirit. In many Native American tribes, a traditional healer or medicine man will officiate the funeral service. Because the body is considered to be something that should be returned to the earth, the remains of the departed are often not embalmed. In some Native American cultures, pipes are smoked by the grave site. If you need special arrangements, contact local funeral homes to see what they can do for you. Your funeral homes may even have a Native American liaison in Maine.

Asian Americans often mingle Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian practices with some Christian elements. For Chinese Americans, it is especially important to make offerings to the departed, including leaving cooked meals and burning fake money, houses, cars, and other items the departed might want to have in the afterlife. Big portraits of the deceased are displayed out of respect. It is also customary to have a large meal after the service to show respect for the spirit of the dead and to thank those who came to the service. If you need special items or offerings for your loved one’s funeral, your local funeral homes may be able to help. Funeral homes found in Maine pride themselves on their diverse staffs. Check if Maine funeral homes in your area have somebody familiar with Asian funeral customs.

African American funerals often make great use of singing, hymning, and dancing. Some African Americans will hold a “home going” service that reflects the personality of the departed and the conviction of reuniting with Jesus and previously departed friends and family. It is not uncommon for people to wear white clothing as a sign of resurrection and to express hope and joy through music. Directors at local funeral homes will likely be more than happy to make any special arrangements you need. Many funeral homes you will find in Maine specialize in African American funerals.

For Haitian Americans, it is often customary to hold a wake at the home of the deceased from the day of death until burial. The wake is supposed to be a time to remember the joy the deceased brought to your life, and that often involves joking, eating and chatting. At the funeral, people will often show great displays of emotion out of respect for the dead. Afterwards, a reception is typically held and flaky pastries, tea, coffee, and other traditional foods are served. You may want to find out if funeral homes in your area of Maine have the facilities to accommodate your reception.

Like Native American cultures, Hispanic American cultures are also very diverse, although more often than not the deceased was Roman Catholic. For Catholic Hispanic families, the rosary is said each night during the nine nights following a death. Some families will continue to say the rosary once a month for a year following the death and commemorate each anniversary thereafter with another reading. A traditional funeral mass is held. If you require special accommodations for a Catholic funeral, directors of Maine funeral homes in your area should be able to help. Funeral homes in Maine have many Catholic clients and would be happy to assist you.

For white Americans, funerals usually tend to be very solemn occasions. A viewing of the deceased is often followed by a religious service at the gravesite. Funeral attendees wear black and the service is followed by a reception. Whatever your needs, you will find Maine funeral homes that will work with you to meet them. Most Maine funeral homes should be able to fulfill any of your requests.

Because religion is usually such a big part of sending the departed into the next world, special arrangements may need to be made for a Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu or other religious ceremony. Funeral homes based in Maine are used to having the bereaved make all kinds of requests. If your family has special religious or cultural considerations as it prepares to bury or cremate your loved one, no request is too unusual. At this most difficult time, your local funeral home will be there for you. When you need somebody, go to your Maine funeral homes.

Remember, we are here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.