- Dignified, Courteous, and Caring -

Service Options

The funeral ceremony or gathering is an important part of the grief process.  When a family or individual selects cremation, they have many choices available to memorialize the deceased and begin their grief recovery process.  Here are some suggestions you might want to consider when planning to memorialize a loved one.

You may have a ceremony or gathering in a funeral home or church with the loved one present in a casket.  That casket may be open or closed.  There may also be a ceremony without the body present, however, if the cremation has been completed, the cremated remains in an urn should be present.

Clergy, family or friends can conduct the ceremony or memorial.  Fraternal organizations are often asked to participate.  Most memorials are religious in nature. However, a gathering of family and friends can contain personal events such as a video presentation of the life of the deceased.  Memory tables are set with items that were important to or symbolic of the person who died.

Places where services or gatherings take place are as varied as those who plan them. Churches and funeral homes are often used.  Gatherings may take place at the site where the cremated remains will be taken for a final resting place; a cemetery, columbarium niche or a scattering garden.  When remains are scattered at sea, the tribute is often moved to that location.

Regardless of where you plan to place the cremated remains of a loved one, a ceremony or gathering, a time to reflect and tell stories and receive the support of others is an important first step on the path to healing.