A frequently asked question from families who visit our branches and search online, is ‘how long does an average funeral service take?’. As every funeral is tailored to the families requirements, it can be difficult to say how long the average funeral may last but for a ball-park figure, they can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours.
In this guide, we outline how long funeral services can last whilst factoring in religious funerals, as well as burials and cremations so that you can plan the day of the funeral accordingly.
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How long does the average Christian funeral service last?
The most common type of funeral service in the UK is a Church of England (COE) funeral. On average, a Christian funeral lasts around 30 minutes to 1 hour.
How long does the average Catholic funeral service last?
Catholic funeral services tend to last a little longer than most other Christian funerals, because they often include a Requiem Mass, which is a special religious service for the deceased.
If there’s a Requiem Mass, the funeral service may last for over an hour, if not, the service could finish within 40 minutes.
How long does the average Jewish funeral service last?
The length of Jewish funerals can vary due to the differences within each Jewish community. Orthodox Jews tend to prefer simple services, which can take as little as 15 to 20 minutes, whereas other Jewish communities may allow for more readings and remembrances, which can increase the length to 1 hour or more.
How long does the average Muslim funeral service last?
Muslim funeral services typically last between 30 minutes to an hour. At Muslim funerals, you can expect the service to include prayer recitals, as well as readings from the Quran which can increase the length of time.
How long does the average Hindu funeral service last?
Hindu funerals tend to be quite short in nature compared to other religious funerals. They’ll usually be finished within 30 minutes, though this can vary depending on the wishes of the person who has died.
How long does the average burial and cremation funeral services last?
In terms of the main funeral service, there’s no significant difference between the length of a burial and cremation funeral – these can last between 30 minutes to an hour.
However, a burial funeral might include a separate graveside ceremony which can increase the overall length of the funeral, especially if the burial site is not at the same location as the service.