Three Questions To Answer When You're Considering Cremation

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Planning your funeral arrangements in advance can save your family from having to make difficult decisions when they're in grief after your passing. One of the biggest decisions you'll encounter is whether to opt for a traditional burial or go with the alternative of cremation. The latter choice has numerous benefits, including being less expensive than a burial. If being cremated is more in alignment with your desires, there are a handful of questions to answer so that once you die, your family can honor your wishes. Here are three questions to address.

Funeral Vs. Memorial Service

One of the benefits of being cremated is that, unlike when your body is embalmed for burial, you don't have to rush to have a funeral service. Whereas funerals are typical in the few days after a death when a person is embalmed, many people who opt for cremation ask that a memorial service is held in their honor at a later date. Memorial services are often less structured than funerals. You don't need an officiant, the event can be held in a location of your choice and the structure can be as you wish. Some people request a memorial service around a year after their death and ask that the service plays the role of a celebration of life, in which family members and friends get together to share treasured memories. Thinking about the type of service you'd like, and then sharing these details with your family, is important.

Ashes

Once your body is cremated, your family typically receives your ashes in an urn or a simple box. It's best to give your family members an idea of what you wish to be done with your remains to avoid them having to make this decision. Some people choose to have their ashes kept in a decorative urn in a place of prominence in the home, such as on the mantle. Others ask that their ashes are scattered in a place that held a special significance, such as a park or a favorite fishing area, or even buried in the backyard of the family's home.

Witnesses To Cremation

Some funeral homes and crematoriums allow family members to be present during the cremation process. While the decision to be involved is up to each family member, you can express your wishes in this regard. Some people ask to be surrounded by their loved ones while they're cremated and others wish for the opposite. Discuss this topic with your family members to get a feel for their preference but remember that you have the right to make the final decision.

For more information about planning for your death and memorial services, contact a company like Frederick Brothers Funeral Home Inc - Main Ofc.

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11 August 2015

Writing an Obituary: Do's and Don'ts

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