Who is considered a 'survivor' in the context of funeral services?

In the context of funeral services, a 'survivor' refers to a living individual who is grieving the loss of a loved one. This term encompasses anyone who has experienced the death of someone close to them, including family members, friends, and other loved ones. Survivors are the individuals who are left behind and must navigate their grief and adjust to a life without the deceased. Their experience is central to the funeral service, which aims to support them in their mourning process and provide a space for honoring the deceased.

While family members of the deceased can certainly be considered survivors, the term itself is broader and includes all those who are affected by the death, regardless of their specific relationship to the deceased. Individuals attending the funeral service may also be considered survivors, but the key aspect of being recognized as a survivor is the grief associated with the loss. In this context, it is about the emotional response and the impact of loss on the living, making the definition primarily focused on those who are left behind rather than their specific titles or roles.