• Conforms to a ritual that has been followed for centuries
• Formal calling hours with either an open or closed casket
• The body is present
• A spiritual service at the church or funeral home
• Final disposition with either burial or cremation
• Recommended for families who need an opportunity to say good-bye
• Can be personalized in a variety of ways (please see personalization)

• A funeral held at the cemetery with either a casket or an urn
• Can be private or open to family and friends
• Can include a religious ritual service
• Can be personalized with eulogies
• May include a military service for eligible veterans

• The service takes place at a church, the funeral home or other venue.
• The urn may or may not be present
• Many families elect to have a private visitation of the deceased before burial or cremation
• May have a multitude of speakers at the service
• If choosing to inter the cremated body, the interment may be immediately following the service, or on another day, privately with the family
• Usually involves a reception after the service

• Services may be held during the night or day
• May use a religious orator, or Funeral Celebrant
• Private visitation for family and close friends or a gathering at the funeral home
• The service can be held in the funeral home, church or other venue such as the beach or county club
• May have designated speakers
• Specialized musical productions (live music, personalized video and musical tributes may be played)
• May utilize a horse drawn carriage, family as urn bearers, etc.
• Highly focused on celebrating a life well lived
• Video Presentation to be played during the gathering or service

Green burials (also called natural burial) are an alternative to contemporary Western burial methods. They emphasize an approach that is simple and natural, with respect for the deceased and the environment. While considered relatively new, the methods are in fact rooted in historic approaches for burial that pre-date modern methods.

• Biodegradable caskets and urns are used
• Simple shrouding of the body may be used without a casket
• No steel or concrete burial vault is used
• May use “Eco-embalming” which is similar to traditional embalming procedure using non-toxic Green Burial approved solution
• Grave markers made of natural field stones are allowed
• Cremated bodies may also be interred in a green cemetery

At this time, Wooster Cemetery in Danbury (approximately 30 miles from Fairfield) is the only cemetery in Connecticut that has a section devoted solely to green burials

There are two other green cemeteries in the vicinity of our town. The first is Steelmantown Cemetery in Tuckahoe, NJ (approximately 190 miles from Fairfield). The second closest is Greensprings in Newfield, NY near Ithaca (approximately 260 miles from Fairfield).

• This arrangement allows for direct disposition with no visitation and/or viewing.
• An immediate burial occurs 24 hours after death. A graveside service with family present can be added.
• A direct cremation occurs 48 hours after death (the shortest period permitted by Connecticut law). A memorial service at a later date may be performed.