Graveside Celebrant Service: What Happens During A Dove Release

4 September 2019
 Categories: Business, Blog


One of the hardest things you have to deal with in your life is losing a loved one. However, you may be able to find some much-needed closure by planning your loved one's memorial and graveside service, which will provide you the opportunity to reminisce and share some fond memories that you have of your loved one. One thing that you may want to consider incorporating while honoring your loved one is a dove release, which can truly be a unique and beautiful tribute to your loved one's life. The release is done at the graveside service, and here is some more information about how it all works.

Prior to the Release of Doves

The doves will be completely separate from the memorial or funeral tribute, though you can display throughout the service itself. In fact, you may want to do so since doves can create a sense of comfort and a feeling of hope. The doves can be displayed next to images of the deceased or alongside the casket. You don't have to worry about the doves being disruptive during the service. Instead, they can offer a much-needed focal point for those who are extremely overwhelmed with emotion as well as young children who attending the service.

During the Release of Doves

As a general rule, the release of doves will take place at the end of the graveside service, though the timing is completely up to you and the rest of the family. You can choose to participate directly in the release of the doves or not; this is also something that is up to you. If you choose to participate, you will open the door to the cage and gently lift the doves out of the cage. The doves for these types of releases are used to be handled gently, so they will be calm as you handle and prepare them for their release.

As soon as you have the doves in hand, you may want to recite a prepared speech, a scripture from the Bible, or a passage from a favorite book of your loved one. Once the reading is done, the doves can be released.

If you would like to learn more about honoring your loved one's life with a beautiful dove release at his or her graveside celebrant service, talk to the funeral director at the funeral home who can point you in the right direction. 


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