HomeAnswersHow long does a funeral last?
How long does a funeral last?
How long a funeral lasts depends on which parts the family chooses, and the official sources we checked give times only for the burial committal service, which federal cemeteries put at roughly 20 to 30 minutes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says a committal service at a national cemetery lasts about 20 minutes on its website and about 30 minutes in its printed fact sheet, and Arlington National Cemetery says its service generally runs 20 to 30 minutes.
A funeral can have several parts. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says the Catholic funeral rite is divided into several stations, each with its own purpose, ending with the Rite of Committal, which is normally celebrated beside the open grave. In the Diocese of Manchester a family member or friend may give one brief eulogy of no more than five minutes at the funeral liturgy. Some families choose a graveside service instead of a funeral ceremony at the funeral home, according to the FTC.
A viewing adds time before the service. The FTC suggests families can cut costs by limiting the viewing to one day or one hour before the funeral. At VA national cemeteries the committal takes place at a committal shelter rather than the gravesite, and the burial happens afterward.
The sources behind this answer
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says a committal service at a national cemetery takes place at a committal shelter, not the gravesite, and lasts about 20 minutes, with burial afterward. VA.gov, What to expect at a military funeral
- A VA National Cemetery Administration fact sheet says the committal service typically takes place at an outdoor shelter and lasts about 30 minutes. VA National Cemetery Administration, What Veteran Families Can Expect at a VA National Cemetery
- Arlington National Cemetery says its service, the committal and military funeral honors, generally lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Arlington National Cemetery, Order of Events
- The USCCB says the Catholic funeral rite is divided into several stations, each with its own purpose, and recommends using each one. USCCB, An Overview of Catholic Funeral Rites
- The USCCB says the Rite of Committal concludes the Catholic funeral rite and should normally be celebrated beside the open grave or place of interment. USCCB, An Overview of Catholic Funeral Rites
- The Catholic Diocese of Manchester allows one brief eulogy of no more than five minutes at the funeral liturgy. Diocese of Manchester, Catholic Funeral Rites
- The FTC's compliance guide notes that some families choose a graveside service instead of a funeral ceremony at the funeral home. FTC, Complying with the Funeral Rule
- The FTC says families can cut costs by limiting the viewing to one day or one hour before the funeral. FTC, Shopping for Funeral Services
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More questions people ask · What a funeral costs in your state