With several different directions that can be taken for final arrangements, it is worth noting that there is not a "best way" to arrange for final disposition and pay tributes. Let's take a moment to define what different service options entail to help you find a starting point in the planning process.
Planning a Funeral Service: Funeral services are standard, but they can be offered in ways that highlight the extraordinary life of this specific person. There are traditional and more modern service options. The main factor that sets a funeral service apart from other honoring ceremonies is the presence of the deceased remains at the service. The body is laid in a casket and may be publicly displayed for viewing if desired. Embalming the remains to sanitize and preserve them temporarily will likely be necessary if you prefer that option.
The Basics of Cremation Service: Cremation completely alters the deceased remains from the recognizable body into a much smaller collection of granularized dry bone fragments. The body is incinerated at high temperatures in a controlled cremation chamber to get to this state. All softer tissues are burned away until only some parts of the bones remain. These are then processed into a consistent texture. The cremated remains (ashes) may then be scattered in nature, buried, or displayed in a funerary urn.
How a Memorial Service Differs from a Funeral: On the other hand, an honoring service held without the deceased's body lying in repose is called a memorial service. Memorial services can be an excellent option, especially if you wish to avoid seeing the dead remains or the event's timing makes it impractical or impossible for the body to be present. After death, the body can be cared for right away, and a memorial service can be offered many weeks or months later if needed.
What to Know About Burial: Burial can be an act of reverence and honor. Sometimes a funeral is held right at the gravesite just before or after the burial is complete. Burials can be supported for cremated remains or full-sized caskets. Depending on what is available at your cemetery or burial park, some establishments offer above-ground and in-ground interment options. Please ask your funeral director which cemeteries support those solutions if that interests you.
How to Plan a Life Celebration: Honoring your loved one with a Life Celebration can be a meaningful lens through which to tell the story of their life. This approach centers on the contributions, passions, and legacy of the person who has died. It can be formatted into a funeral or memorial service. Even very young people can be honored and remembered in this way.
