Latter-day Saint (Mormon) Funeral Traditions: What to Expect

A Latter-day Saint funeral is a simple, reverent religious service, usually led by the local bishop in the congregation's chapel or meetinghouse. It centers on music, prayer and brief talks about the gospel and the person's life. Funerals are not normally held on Sundays and should not last more than 1.5 hours, according to the Church's General Handbook. Friends of other faiths can expect a calm, structured service, and neighbors in the ward often help the family with practical needs such as meals.

What do Latter-day Saints believe about death?

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often called Mormons, but the Church asks that the terms "Mormon" and "LDS" not be used as substitutes for its name and that members be called Latter-day Saints. This guide uses "Latter-day Saint" while keeping "Mormon" in the title because many people search for it.

The General Handbook describes death as an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. It says that through Jesus Christ's Atonement and Resurrection, all people will be resurrected, and that services for the deceased should testify of these truths. That is why the tone of a funeral is usually hopeful as well as sad, with the focus on Jesus Christ and the hope of reuniting with family.

Who leads the service, and where is it held?

When a funeral is held in a Church building, the bishop conducts it. A counselor may take his place if he cannot attend. If the service is somewhere else, such as a funeral home, the family can ask the bishop to take part. A stake president, Area Seventy or General Authority who attends presides.

The Handbook describes the funeral as a Church meeting that calls for reverence and dignity. The bishop or a counselor helps the family plan it so it stays simple and spiritually focused. Church members who take part in a service should not accept payment for it. Bishops can also use fast-offering funds, which members donate to help others, to arrange a modest funeral and burial when a family needs help.

What happens at the viewing and funeral service?

Where a viewing is customary, it often takes place before the funeral. If it is held at the meetinghouse, leaders open the building at least one hour before it begins. After the viewing, the family may ask for a private prayer. The Handbook says the casket should be closed before the funeral service.

The Handbook says music and brief talks should focus on the comfort that comes through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. A service usually has hymns, prayers, a few speakers and sometimes a musical number. Family members are not required to speak. The Handbook says tributes to the deceased are appropriate but should not dominate the service, and it suggests that longer remembrances and storytelling suit a separate family gathering. Video presentations are not allowed in chapel services.

Since the order of service and timing are set by the bishop with the family, details vary by ward. Our funeral service order template shows the usual structure of a funeral if you want to see how this compares.

What do you wear to a Latter-day Saint funeral?

Guests can generally dress as they would for a church service. That usually means conservative, modest clothing in subdued colors. Black is common but not required. If you are unsure, ask the family or read our guide on what to wear to a funeral.

What is temple clothing?

Members who have received their temple endowment wear sacred temple clothing in the temple. The Handbook says deceased members who were endowed should be buried or cremated in temple clothing where possible. A woman's body may be dressed by her husband or an endowed female family member, and if neither is available the bishop may ask the Relief Society president to invite an endowed sister to dress the body or oversee the dressing. Because the clothing is sacred to members, it is best not to ask about it, and photographing the deceased is not appropriate.

Is cremation allowed?

The General Handbook's funeral section says endowed members should be "buried or cremated" in temple clothing and points to cremation guidelines elsewhere in the Handbook, so cremation is addressed as an option. It also says that for cremated remains, the presiding leader judges whether to dedicate the place where the ashes are kept, considering the family's wishes and local customs and laws. Families with questions about current Church counsel should ask their bishop. Our guides to how long after death a funeral is held and to the cremation rate may help with planning.

What is the dedication of the grave?

After the funeral, the family may go to the cemetery. There, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder authorized by the presiding leader may dedicate the grave. The Handbook says he states that he acts by priesthood authority, dedicates and consecrates the burial plot as the resting place of the body, asks that the place be hallowed and protected until the resurrection, and offers comfort to the family. If the family prefers, a graveside prayer may be offered instead, by anyone they choose.

How does the ward help the family?

When a member dies, the bishop usually visits the family, and the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents are told. The Handbook says ward members may help by notifying relatives, preparing the obituary, planning the service, arranging mortuary and cemetery details and providing meals. The Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies offer comfort and assistance, and the presidencies continue to offer comfort and assistance after the funeral.

The Handbook also counsels members against burdensome customs, including excessive travel, elaborate public announcements, payments to the family, prolonged feasts and excessive anniversary celebrations. If you want to help a grieving member family, ask the bishop or Relief Society president what is needed rather than sending large gifts.

Can you hold a Latter-day Saint funeral for someone who was not a member?

Bishops may allow the use of a meetinghouse for funerals of non-members. If the deceased belonged to another faith, the service may follow that faith's format and be led by its clergy, provided it stays dignified. The Handbook says rituals from other churches or organizations cannot be performed in Church meetinghouses.

What to do next

1. Contact the bishop or ask a family member to do it. He can help plan the service and arrange the building and priesthood help.
2. Choose a funeral home and ask for its General Price List. The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to get one and to buy only the goods and services you want.
3. Tell the funeral home if the deceased is to be dressed in temple clothing, and decide who will do it.
4. Decide whether there will be a viewing, and whether to have a graveside dedication or prayer.

For a wider view of how faiths compare, see our guide to religious funeral services.