Casket, Open or Closed
At a Christian service the emphasis is on the imperishable spiritual body and not the
physical body. It is inappropriate, therefore, to have the casket open during the funeral
service because it constantly draws the mourners thoughts toward the physical and away
from the spiritual.
When a funeral service at the church precedes the committal, it can be decided to have the
casket opened and in the back of the church preceding the service so that mourners can pay
their last respects while entering the sanctuary.
When both the memorial service and the committal service are at the gravesite, the casket
can be opened prior to the service and then closed to begin the service, or closed the
entire time.