How to Plan and Execute a Cremation Service
There are various options to consider when planning an end-of-life ceremony. Cremation is a method of disposing dead bodies where the body is burnt to ashes. In this article, you will learn how to plan for a cremation service.
Invitations.
Send invitations to close friends and family. The invites should contain the date and venue of the memorial service and the cremation date. If the person was a public figure, put an obituary in local dailies.
Finding a suitable funeral home.
Below are a few tips to help you choose an appropriate funeral home.
1. Choose a funeral home located close to the home of the deceased. If you intend to hold a ceremony inside the premises, the facility should have adequate parking for guests.
2. The undertaker must observe high hygiene standards inside the facility.
3. Book the date and time that you would want to hold the cremation ceremony. If you opt for an immediate cremation, reservations are not necessary.
4. Inquire about the costs. Funeral homes have various packages to suit the needs of their clients.
Memorial service.
A memorial service offers friends and family an opportunity to commemorate the life and times of the deceased. If you opt for an immediate cremation, the memorial service will serve as the burial ceremony of your loved one. Therefore, carefully plan the program to give your loved one a befitting send-off.
Preparing the body for cremation.
Consult with the undertaker if you wish to perform religious or cultural rites on the deceased's body before cremation. The undertaker will remove surgical implants such as pacemakers before cremating the body. You can dress the body in a suit, wrap a blanket around it or place it in a casket before cremation.
Witnessing service.
At the request of the immediate family, you can hold a small ceremony before the cremation. This is an opportunity for family members to bid farewell to the deceased. After the service, the body is placed in the cremation chamber and burnt to ashes.
Handling ashes.
The funeral director will put the ashes of the deceased in an urn and give them to the family. You can choose to bury the ashes, keep them for remembrance or use them to plant a tree in your compound. Some funeral directors can also use the ashes to make jewellery such as rings and necklaces.
When planning a cremation service, send invites, find a suitable funeral home, plan a memorial service, prepare the body for cremation and determine how you will handle the ashes.
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