What is included in a traditional funeral?

A traditional funeral typically includes a structured service that often involves a viewing of the deceased. This allows family and friends to pay their respects in a formal setting. The structured nature of the service provides a consistent framework that can include readings, music, eulogies, and other ritualistic elements that vary according to cultural or religious practices.

Gathering of friends only, as suggested in the first choice, is too limited and does not encompass the formal and ceremonial aspects of a traditional funeral. An immediate cremation without a service, as mentioned in the third option, signifies a different approach to the disposition of the body and lacks the structured elements typical of traditional funerals. Lastly, a simple grave marker ceremony would not capture the several components and rituals involved in a traditional funeral service, as it is much more minimal and lacks the formal ceremony associated with a traditional service.