Mormon Funeral Traditions and Beliefs
As with other religious traditions, Mormonism has its own beliefs and practices that differ depending on where people come from and their families’ affiliation. Tithing, for instance, remains consistent across communities.
Latter-day Saints believe they can receive divine guidance through prayer. This guidance, known as revelation, may come in the form of dramatic visions or as quiet whispers such as the “still, small voice”. Furthermore, revelation is often personal and tailor made specifically to each individual.
1. Family Home Evening
Mormons consider family one of the cornerstones of life. They strive to treat and support their family members with kindness and generosity, working hard together towards making sure their homes succeed while seeking joyous moments together.
Mormon prophets have encouraged church members to hold weekly family home evenings. At these gatherings, family members can come together and discuss gospel principles and values such as loving each other, respecting others, serving, work, and wholesome recreation.
Most family nights feature a short lesson, music, games and treats. Children of all ages attend these gatherings; children may even be asked to prepare and teach family home evening lessons; share testimony on topics like family history, tithing, first aid or the Plan of Salvation; sing closing songs/prayers together as well as provide closing remarks – with the church providing families with a resource book specifically dedicated to family nights so that these gatherings run smoothly.
2. Temple Marriage
Latter-day Saints believe that marriage ceremonies performed in temples are sacred and beautiful manifestations of God’s plan for eternal happiness. Known as “sealings”, these ceremonies bind families together for all time and constitute one of its core beliefs. This principle has long been held dear by members of this Church.
A sealing ceremony is typically a straightforward affair that takes place with close family members only, followed by a celebration where more extended family and friends are welcome to celebrate with the couple.
Mormon weddings differ significantly from most American or international marriages in that they cannot take place on Sunday and must not take place within buildings on Monday evening (Mormons use this day for family home evening). Furthermore, guests cannot attend without first receiving a valid temple recommend from both the bishop and local state president after an interview to assess contributions made to church activities as well as adherence to its teachings.
3. Visitation or Viewing
Mormons adhere to a doctrine which holds that soul and body should remain together after death, which leads them to opt for burial rather than cremation. Before any funeral services take place, an open casket visitation or viewing takes place so family members may come pay their respects, share memories and offer comfort; at funeral services itself scriptures are read, eulogies delivered and hymns sung as part of ritual.
Mormons value family-centric values and consider families a key aspect of God’s plan, thus leading them to forgo alcohol use or same-sex marriage and adhering to a set of health and lifestyle rules known as The Word of Wisdom that includes abstaining from tobacco products or other substances.
Mormons commemorate their ancestors’ sacrifices every year by recreating their nineteenth-century Western exodus from Utah. This ritual serves as part of institutional Mormon collective memory and serves to remind members that faith in God gave them strength and courage to endure persecution as communities and eventually thrive together.
4. Funeral
As with other religions, Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or “Mormonism”) has its own traditions and beliefs around funerals and burial. These can be particularly helpful to anyone planning funeral services or simply looking to understand how Mormons celebrate the lives of loved ones after death.
Endowed (those who have participated in an ordinance similar to baptism) individuals typically choose to wear white ritual clothing provided at their cemetery by Women’s Relief Society as an expression of faith and as a reminder that one day, they will return from eternal life in the Celestial, Terrestrial or Telestial Kingdoms depending on how well they lived their lives.
At a Mormon funeral service, speakers usually share memories and stories about the deceased. These talks tend to be more positive and celebratory than at many funerals due to Mormon belief that death marks an transition into something better.