The end of a loved one's life is always hard to cope with. However, a good funeral home can lighten your burden and make the experience a little easier. If your loved one wished to be cremated, the biggest choice has already been made for you. Here are four smaller tasks you may want to do:
1. Decide if you would like to host a viewing at the memorial service.
You can opt for a cremation funeral, which means your loved one's body will be cremated shortly after death. This can be a cost-effective option if you don't want to hold an open casket viewing ceremony at the memorial service. If you would like to have an open-casket funeral, your loved one's body will be embalmed in order to preserve it. You will need to make this decision within a day or two of your loved one's passing.
2. Give the funeral director any clothes you would like your loved one to wear.
Some people have clothing that holds special significance to them. For instance, many veterans request that they are buried in their military uniforms. If your loved one had a favorite outfit, you may want them to be cremated in those clothes. Give the clothes to your funeral director, and they will ensure the mortician dresses your loved one in the clothes you have selected. Choosing clothing that your loved one often wore can help you say goodbye when you see them wearing those same clothes at a viewing ceremony.
3. Bring any times you want to place in the casket with your loved one.
If you would like your loved one to be laid to rest in a funeral plot after the cremation, you may wish to place certain items in the casket with them. Some people find this to be a fitting way to honor their loved one. You can place jewelry, personal items, and even letters and drawings in the casket. Bring these items to the funeral service, and you can place them in the casket before the actual burial begins.
4. Decide if you'd like to be present for cremation.
Some people find it comforting to be involved in funeral preparations for their loved one. If you would like to be present for the cremation, all you need to do is request it of the funeral director. Most funeral homes are happy to allow family members to wait in a safe area while their loved one is cremated. Decide if this is a decision that would feel healing to you.
