Obituaries

Pamela Morris
B: 1967-07-22
D: 2023-01-16
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Morris, Pamela
Diane Patterson
B: 1963-06-10
D: 2023-01-12
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Patterson, Diane
Rose Hart
B: 1933-02-02
D: 2023-01-11
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Hart, Rose
Lola Manning
B: 1962-11-28
D: 2023-01-11
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Manning , Lola
Bobbie Hinds
B: 1952-03-16
D: 2023-01-09
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Hinds, Bobbie
David Robinson
B: 1951-05-31
D: 2023-01-06
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Robinson, David
Rose Warmsley
B: 1954-10-22
D: 2023-01-04
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Warmsley, Rose
Jasmine Manning
B: 2003-06-04
D: 2023-01-04
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Manning, Jasmine
Sid Brewer
B: 1946-04-30
D: 2023-01-01
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Brewer, Sid
Ezzie Turner
B: 1934-03-08
D: 2022-12-30
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Turner, Ezzie
Ezzie Turner
B: 1934-03-08
D: 2022-12-30
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Turner, Ezzie
Patsy Wilson
B: 2022-12-19
D: 2022-12-28
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Wilson, Patsy
Patsy Wilson
B: 1954-06-19
D: 2022-12-28
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Wilson, Patsy
Betty Earl
B: 1946-12-26
D: 2022-12-26
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Earl, Betty
Oscar Hale
B: 1961-10-15
D: 2022-12-26
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Hale, Oscar
William Harris
B: 1960-09-08
D: 2022-12-24
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Harris, William
Clurion Lee
B: 1952-02-02
D: 2022-12-22
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Lee, Clurion
Lester Martin
B: 1946-03-06
D: 2022-12-20
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Martin, Lester
Meco Scruggs
B: 1989-11-12
D: 2022-12-20
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Scruggs, Meco
Miranda Newsom
B: 1994-01-05
D: 2022-12-18
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Newsom, Miranda
Hector Rodriquez
B: 1934-12-01
D: 2022-12-16
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Rodriquez , Hector

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2764 Lamar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38114
Phone: 901-440-0100
Fax: 901-201-5836

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Funeral Services

At R. Bernard Funeral Services, we want to make sure that you are well informed about the different types of Funeral services in Memphis. We think that this is important so that you can make the right choice about how to say goodbye to a loved one, or pre-plan your own funeral.

memphis funeral services

What is a Funeral?

No matter where it's held, a funeral is a structured ceremony, with a beginning, middle and end. Each is intended to engage the living participants in activities which will transform their status within the community, provide mourners with a collective grieving experience, and celebrate a life lived. It's a socially-acceptable way for members of a community to re-affirm and express their social attachments.

Anthropologists label a funeral as a rite of passage, which affects everyone involved–including the deceased. His or her social status changes dramatically, from a living contributing member of the community to one whose contributions are in the past, and relegated to memory. But the status of each of the survivors– the immediate family most especially– has also changed. In fact, the funeral service can be the start of a defined period of mourning for bereaved family members, marking this transition in a uniquely identifiable way. 
 
It could be said then, the focus of a funeral - no matter where, no matter when - lies in acknowledging change. And without doubt, human beings (as individuals and as a community) have trouble dealing with profound changes like the death of an integral member of the group. When you take this perspective, it becomes easier to understand the importance of ceremonially acknowledging the tear in the social fabric and the symbolic restoration of its integrity.

The Basics of Traditional Funeral Services

Traditional funeral services include:
  • Visitation: This is often called a viewing or a wake. Guests come to pay their respects to the deceased by viewing their casketed body and spending time with the grieving family. A visitation can occur at any time before the funeral service.
  • Funeral Service: This event commonly takes place at the funeral home, a church, or at the graveside. It can include music, the reading of literary or religious passages, a eulogy, prayer, and the singing of hymns.
  • Committal Service: If the family plans to bury the deceased, this stage involves the vehicle procession to the cemetery.
  • Funeral Reception: Many choose to host this post-service gathering (or repast) at a reception hall. This is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support.
A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.
 
If you are interested in making funeral arrangements for a loved one, we invite you to call us to begin.

Understanding Burial Services

Here at R. Bernard Funeral Services, we have the deepest respect for this traditional practice. If you are interested in learning more about the burial services we offer, please review the following information. Should you have questions about anything, please call us.
 
There are many things to consider when deciding whether to bury a recently-deceased loved one, or when selecting burial during funeral pre-planning. One of the first decisions you'll need to make involves choosing both the cemetery and the specific place of burial within its grounds. You'll then need to select a casket and possibly a burial vault, as many modern cemeteries require their use. At some point, and this does not have to take place right away, the decision becomes one of selecting the headstone or marker and writing the inscription. A member of our professional staff will be available should you wish to have assistance in making each of these decisions.

Memphis Funeral Services

memphis funeral homesFor families and individuals living in this region (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Contact us to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.