Making the decisions about what kinds of services you want to have always been easier when you understand what is available in the first place. Here are some starting places to consider:
Standard Funeral Service: Funerals can be traditional or non-traditional and customized to each situation. The deceased remains are part of a funeral service. A funeral can be planned as part of a comprehensive service package with multiple events to help with the goodbye. A viewing or visitation can be offered before the funeral event in some cases. If the body is viewed, the process of embalming will likely be required to ensure the body is cleansed and preserved temporarily. Funeral services are often concluded with a procession to the cemetery for a committal service.
Direct and Complete Cremation Services: Cremation is a procedure that transforms the corpse into a small collection of dried bone fragments known as ashes or cremated remains. All of the softer tissues of the body are reduced to the most basic elements through incineration in a temperature-controlled furnace chamber. Direct cremation means that the procedure is offered as a body disposition service without a public honoring service attached. Combining funeral and cremation in Chadds Ford Township, PA, is an essential option for families who want both. A memorial service can also follow cremation.
Memorial Services for More Flexible Timelines: If having the deceased's body available for the honoring ceremony is not possible or practical, the remains can be cared for via cremation or burial right away. An honoring service can still be planned and held at a time that makes the most sense for your unique situation. Having additional time for families to gather or plan the honoring ceremony can be very helpful in many cases.
Burial Services and Final Disposition: An honoring ceremony can be held right at the side of the burial site. These are sometimes called burial services. Final disposition via burial is workable for both cremated and intact remains. Some establishments offer interment in burial structures called crypts, mausoleums, or columbarium houses. If earthen burial is more appealing, plots for coffins and urns are readily available in most burial parks.
Life Celebration to Honor a Life Well Lived: If you wish to focus the honoring ceremony through the lens of celebrating someone's life, a Life Celebration may be an excellent way to customize the services. If desired, both funerals and memorials can be planned from this point of view.