When deciding on those final arrangements for your loved one, one of the most challenging yet important decisions is whether you want a burial or cremation. It’s often down to the preferences of the family and friends, or the deceased might have requested a particular way before they passed. While burials were more common previously in the US with a lot of families opting for this type of funeral, cremations are becoming quite common in current times.
A lot of families prefer the idea of choosing where to spread their ashes rather than having a specific burial plot. But when arranging a funeral, families don’t fully know exactly how a cremation service works. They worry they will not be able to have a service to celebrate their loved one’s life if they go down this specific route. But a cremation service is possible and is a meaningful way to say goodbye to a family member or friend. Therefore, if you do decide to go down this route, here is our guide to what a cremation service looks like.
What is cremation?
Before we go through what happens at a service, the first thing we need to explain to you is what exactly is a cremation. A cremation is a process which takes place in a cremation chamber. When the process is completed, the remains of the person become ashes, which are placed in a container. You can purchase an urn before with a whole range that include tubes, biodegradable urns and caskets available.
The family then collect the ashes at a designated point, and then it’s up to them what they decide to do after this point. There is often a specific area at the crematorium where the ashes can be scattered or even be buried. At some crematoriums, they can display a plaque where you decide to scatter them. Or you may wish to take the loved one’s remains home where you can bury them or go on to spread them at a meaningful place. A lot of families are now looking at the route of turning ashes into some form of jewelry. This enables them to have their loved ones with them in a special way.
What is a cremation service?
For some families, they decide to hold a service before the cremation occurs to say goodbye to their loved ones. Of course, those who are sorting the funeral arrangements might opt for a direct cremation if they just want this to occur but don’t want a service. This often works well if there is no family or if the deceased requested this before they died. But if you do want to have a cremation service, it is a meaningful way to say goodbye to that special person. A cremation service tends to give the family a chance to say a few words, perhaps read a poem and play a few meaningful songs. It can take place at the crematorium, at a certain venue or even a memorial place. Here at Mr Vaults, we can provide all the set-up for a cremation service. If you are having it outside, we can arrange the chairs for the guests and also can set up a tent, which is essential in hot or bad weather. We also ensure all the equipment needed is set up and clean up after the event.
What happens during a cremation service?
When you have decided on a cremation service for your loved one who has passed away and chosen a specific date, here is everything you need to know about what happens on the day.
The guests will arrive for the service
Those who want to pay their respects will arrive within good time of the service starting. Depending on the families requests, the casket might already be at the service, ready for mourners to arrive. Or in some cases, the casket will enter the venue by the staff at the funeral house. All seating will be arranged in good time before the guests arrive.
The cremation service will begin
Depending on what the family have chosen, the service for a cremation tends to take around half hour. This is prior to the actual cremation taking place. The service will begin with the officiant making their introductions and thanking the guests for coming to the sad event.
A family member will say a few words
At most cremation services, a family member will stand at the front and say a few words about the loved one. They might talk about special moments from the deceased’s life or talk specifically about their relationship with them. If no one feels comfortable doing this, the officiant might read out some words on the departed and talk for them at the service.
Poems or readings will take place
In some cases, a poem might be read out by a loved one during the service. Or if it’s a religious service, a bible story or passage might be read out to the guests. This tends to be a close family member. The officiant in some cases might read out a meaningful quote or poem.
The service finishes
It’s likely that a meaningful song will then be played before the service comes to an end. If you are at the crematorium , it’s likely that family members and friends might pay their final goodbyes before the casket is then closed from view. This might be a curtain or by glass. The committal will then take place away from the family. If you are having the service at a different venue, the casket will then head to the crematorium at the end of the service.
There is likely to be a wake
In a lot of cases, the family and friends go to celebrate their loved one at a wake. This might be at a close family member’s house, or it might be at a booked venue. It gives the loved ones a chance to reminisce and there is likely to be food and drinks provided.
The family will then receive the ashes
When the ashes are ready, the family will then pick them up in the casket, urn or tube they have chosen. They will then arrange to meet to spread the ashes at a certain time at a place of their choosing, or even arrange to have them buried.
