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Burial Services in Wichita, KS

Service We Provide

Downing & Lahey offers distinctive, personal, and affordable services designed to help you honor your loved one in a way that is unique to them and meaningful to you.

Overview of Funeral Services

While many families still choose more traditional funeral and burial services in Wichita, KS, others prefer to create new and unique experiences. Regardless of your needs, we promise to help arrange a truly meaningful celebration of your loved one’s life.

Gathering, Visitation and Viewing

A gathering of family and friends is often referred to as a viewing or visitation. Traditionally the casket is present, either open or closed. These gatherings can be held at the funeral home, church or place of worship, or other acceptable venues allowing friends and family to come together and pay their final respects to the person who has died. It is also a time for closure, when those left behind can say goodbye.

Explore Your Options

Here are some common examples of funeral and burial services in West Wichita, KS, along with East Wichita and the surrounding areas chosen most often by the family’s we serve. These services can be held over multiple days or can be accomplished on the same day if desired. We can tailor any of these options to meet your individual needs.

  • Viewing or visitation hours, followed by the funeral service at church
  • Viewing or visitation hours, followed by the funeral service in the
    funeral home chapel
  • Viewing or visitation hours, followed by the graveside ceremony
  • Church or chapel service, followed by graveside ceremony
  • Graveside service, followed by memorial services
  • Graveside service with no viewing or visitation

Service Venues

You can have funeral services at a variety of venues; most popular being at your church or place of worship, in one of our chapels or at the graveside (or mausoleum). Prior to burial services in Wichita, KS, reception services are also becoming a popular choice for families.

Church Ceremony

The church has meant so much to your family and your community. Perhaps you were dedicated there as an infant, baptized there as a child or celebrated your marriage there surrounded by family and friends. It only makes sense to involve your church family in your final life event of a funeral.

We believe in supporting the church as much as you do. That’s why we specialize in hosting your funeral at your local church where you’ll be surrounded by the ones you love in a place familiar and dear to your heart. These are ways to make your funeral and burial services in West Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas more personal and meaningful.

Church funerals are typically scheduled in the morning, and are followed by the graveside committal service.

Service in the Funeral Home Chapel

Chapel Services are popular with families whose loved one was not affiliated with a church at the time of their passing, families who are located outside of our area or those who may not be able to attend lengthy church and burial services in Wichita, KS.

When you choose to hold a service in our chapel, it eliminates the need to convert a visitation room for a funeral (like many of the other funeral homes in our area). This dedicated room features seating for 200 guests, the latest in audio and video equipment, and the opportunity to personalize the space for your service.

Our beautiful, inviting chapel provides the perfect setting for services of any type.

Graveside Ceremony

A Graveside Service can be anything from a small, casual gathering of family and close friends, to a larger grouping with a formal schedule of events. Many times, the graveside ceremony will follow a time of visitation at the funeral home, a funeral service in church or place of worship, or one of our chapels. Some families choose to have a graveside service, followed by a memorial service in the future. You may also choose to only have a service at the graveside. Family and friends would simply gather at the cemetery for the committal service of the casket.

Clergy, friends or loved ones may take an active part in the graveside ceremony. Service, poems may be read or a special song can be sung. For more information on burial services in West Wichita, KS, along with East Wichita and the surrounding areas, contact us today.

Memorial Services and Life Celebrations

Many families are forgoing traditional services for more contemporary ones. A memorial service or life celebration service may be the perfect option to share memories of that special loved one. Typically, the casket is not present for these services and the service is held before or after the deceased is buried or entombed.

These services can be performed at a local restaurant, reception center, country club, hotel banquet facility, a family member’s home or even in a park. The possibilities are endless.

On and off-site reception services are becoming increasingly popular with the families we serve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a traditional burial and a graveside service?

A traditional burial typically includes a funeral ceremony, often held at a church or funeral home chapel, followed by a procession to the cemetery. Graveside burial services in Wichita, KS, on the other hand, takes place entirely at the cemetery and may be simple or formal depending on your wishes. Some families choose to combine both options, holding a service first and then continuing with a committal at the grave.

Absolutely. All burial services in West Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas can be tailored to reflect your loved one’s personality, beliefs, and legacy. Families often choose to include music, readings, personal items, or memory displays. Some prefer a formal religious service, while others opt for a casual gathering. Our staff will work with you to design a service that feels meaningful and true to your loved one’s story.

The most common choice is ground burial in a family plot or cemetery lot. Other options include entombment in a mausoleum or burial within a designated memorial garden. Many cemeteries also offer companion plots and family sections. We’ll guide you through the available options and help you choose what best fits your family’s preferences and budget.

Timing depends on several factors, including family needs, religious traditions, and cemetery scheduling. Some burial services in Wichita, KS occur within just a few days, while others may take longer to allow loved ones time to travel. Our team will coordinate all necessary details to ensure services take place at the right time for your family.

Most cemeteries in the Wichita area require a burial vault or grave liner to protect the casket and maintain the integrity of the gravesite. We will explain the different options available and help you select one that meets both cemetery requirements and your preferences.

Yes. While many families choose to include a viewing or visitation, it is not required. Some families prefer a private family goodbye before the burial, while others opt for a graveside or memorial service without viewing. With burial services in West Wichita, KS, along with East Wichita and the surrounding areas, we’ll help you explore the options that feel most comfortable for you.

Generally, burial services involve more expenses than cremation due to the cost of the cemetery plot, burial vault, and casket. However, both burial and cremation can be customized to fit a wide range of budgets. Our commitment is to be transparent with pricing and to provide meaningful services within your means.

Yes. We are proud to assist families in arranging military honors for veterans, which may include a flag presentation, honor guard, rifle salute, or burial in a state or national veterans cemetery. With burial services in Wichita, KS, we will take care of the arrangements to ensure your loved one receives the recognition they deserve.

If your family owns a cemetery plot, we will coordinate with the cemetery staff to make the necessary arrangements. If not, we can assist you in selecting and purchasing a space in a cemetery that reflects your family’s wishes.

Pre-planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. By documenting your burial services in West Wichita, KS and the surrounding areas in advance, you relieve loved ones of uncertainty and stress during a difficult time. Pre-planning also allows you to explore your options thoughtfully and, if desired, lock in today’s prices. Our free Personal Record Guide is a helpful resource for getting started.