What distinct factor differentiates a religious funeral from a non-religious funeral?

A religious funeral is characterized by its reference to a transcendent dimension, which encompasses beliefs in a higher power or an afterlife. This aspect is fundamental to many religious practices, as it provides comfort to the bereaved and a sense of continuity beyond physical death. Rituals, prayers, and liturgical elements often included in religious funerals serve to invoke this transcendent reality, reflecting the beliefs of the faith community regarding the nature of existence, the afterlife, and the role of divinity in human experience.

In contrast, non-religious funerals typically focus more on the personal aspects of the deceased's life and the impact they had on family and friends without invoking religious or spiritual elements. While elements like popular music, the celebration of life, or even candles may appear in both types of funerals, they do not inherently convey the same connection to a transcendent reality that is central to religious traditions.