By Hal Stevens
If you are taking into consideration the possibility of cremation, but have doubts about how your choice will impact your wish to have a funeral service, there's no need to be worried.
You are free to have as much of a funeral service as you wish or none at all. It all depends on you and your situation. Having your loved one's remains cremated does not prevent you from having a traditional funeral service if you wish.
There's no need to have the remains embalmed in most circumstances. Certainly in cases of cremation, embalming isn't a requirement. For that reason, many wonder if a funeral service is a possibility. It most certainly is.
Your funeral home will work with you on planning and timing your funeral service and/or visitation and will provide you with facilities to keep the body cool and protected.
Many people have a lot of different questions regarding funerals and cremation. I have selected a few of them for discussion.
How is a cremation service different from a traditional funeral service?
It doesn't have to be. The tone, content, length and extent of the service is entirely up to the family of the deceased or his or her pre-written instructions. You may choose to be as formal or casual as you want. The purpose of any funeral service is to honor the memory and the life of the deceased. This holds true regardless of whether the remains are cremated or buried in a cemetery. A funeral can and should be as personal an expression as you wish. Some feel they have more options for personalizing the funeral when cremation is chosen because they are already not following a pre-conceived traditional funeral plan.
Where would I hold a memorial service?
That really depends on you and your situation. A memorial service can be held at a church or other type of religious sanctuary. But, a memorial can be held (with the permission of the venue) at any place of significance to the deceased or their family. Typically a memorial service is held instead of a funeral, after the remains have been put to rest. However, in some cases, a memorial service is held in addition to a funeral without the remains present.
Can I have the cremated remains at the funeral or memorial service?
Yes, most churches will permit cremated remains to be brought into their sanctuaries. Nevertheless, to be sure, you should inquire with a church official in advance. In the case of other types of venues, please ask in advance while planning the service.
Hal is the author of several critically acclaimed eBooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His eBooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots. To find out more about his CemeterySpot family of free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, please visit: http://www.cemeteryspot.com.
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