How To Plan A Cremation
Do you intend to hold a cremation ceremony for your loved one? Cremations have become quite popular over the last several decades since they are convenient and environmentally friendly. Below is an exhaustive piece on how to hold a cremation.
Find a Suitable Funeral Home
Not all funeral homes offer cremation services. Therefore, you need to conduct background research to assess the suitability of your preferred funeral home. Typically, examine the following;
- Where is the funeral home located? Consider conveniently located funeral homes to ensure friends and family members can view the body.
- Does the facility have high-quality amenities? Remember, you might need a meeting room to hold meetings, wakes, or a memorial service at the funeral home.
- Check the funeral director's accreditations and reviews to establish their competence in the trade. For example, you might need a professional to offer event hire services, counsel family members, or provide transport services.
- Inquire whether the funeral home allows family members to perform rites on their loved ones before the cremation.
- Ensure that the funeral home and cremation charges are within the market rates.
Involve the Family
Involve friends and family members in the cremation planning process. For instance, inquire whether the deceased had any last wishes regarding the cremation process. For example, it could be that they wanted their body dressed in specific regalia. Moreover, consult with family members to establish the cremation guest list, a suitable celebrant, and the guest speakers at the wake or memorial.
Cremation Arrangements
There are different types of cremation services. If you opt for direct cremation, your loved one's remains will get cremated as soon as their body arrives at the funeral home. Therefore, you do not have to incur storage or embalming costs. In a traditional cremation service, family members hold a conventional funeral service and cremate the body afterwards. The arrangement gives family members adequate time to mourn and come to terms with the loss of their loved one. Sometimes, you could opt for a cremation with a memorial service. If this is the case, you hold a memorial where people pay respects to the departed. However, the body is not present for viewing.
Handling Ashes
There are several alternatives to dealing with your loved one's ashes. For example, they could be used to make jewellery such as rings and necklaces. These items could be passed on from one generation to the next as family heirlooms. You could also plant a commemorative tree using the ashes, donate them to a family member, or spread them out in the sea.
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