A typical dove release at a funeral involves a single white dove placed in a beautiful container on a stand. At the end of the service, the family steps forward, gathering around the single dove. All family members place a hand on the lid, and as a group lift the lid and liberate the pure white dove to fly up and into heaven.

Immediately afterwards, a flock of doves are released, symbolizing God's angels. The angel doves fly up and surround the single spirit dove, then all the birds fly home