Funeral Arrangements Guide

Every Tennessee family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Tennessee burial arrangements practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held in Tennessee. They also influence whether the body will be present at the funeral, if there will be a viewing or visitation, and if so, whether the casket will be open or closed, and whether the remains will be buried or cremated.

Among the choices you’ll need to make are whether you want one of these basic types of Tennessee funerals, or something in between.

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‘Traditional’, Full-Service Tennessee Burial Arrangements

 
This type of funeral, often referred to by funeral providers in Tennessee as a ‘traditional’ funeral, usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, use of a hearse to transport the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and burial, entombment or cremation of the remains.

It is generally the most expensive type of funeral in Tennessee. In addition to the funeral home’s basic services fee, costs often include embalming and dressing the body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing or service; and use of vehicles to transport the family if they don’t use their own. The costs of a casket, cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral goods and services also must be factored in.
 

Direct Tennessee Burial Arrangements

 
The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved in Tennessee, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside or later.

Direct burial in Tennessee usually costs less than the ‘traditional,’ full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral home’s basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body, the purchase of a casket or burial container and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee for a graveside service.
 

Direct Cremation in Tennessee

 
The body is cremated shortly after death in Tennessee, without embalming. The cremated remains are placed in an urn or other container. No viewing or visitation is involved, although a memorial service may be held, with or without the cremated remains present. The remains can be kept in the home, buried or placed in a crypt or niche in a cemetery, or buried or scattered in a favorite spot.

Direct cremation usually costs less than the ‘traditional,’ full-service funeral in Tennessee. Costs include the funeral home’s basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body. A crematory fee may be included or, if the funeral home does not own the crematory, the fee may be added on. There also will be a charge for an urn or other container. The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt in Tennessee is included only if the remains are buried or entombed.

Tennessee funeral providers who offer direct cremations also must offer to provide an alternative container that can be used in place of a casket.