Planning a Memorial Service

Options for Hosting a Loved One's Funeral When They Are Being Cremated

by Wade Watkins

If you are in the midst of handling funeral arrangements for a loved one who is being cremated, you might be looking for some advice. If you are like many people, you might not have been to many funerals for people who were cremated, and you might have never planned one of these funerals. As is the case when someone is being traditionally buried, you do have a few choices.

Host a Traditional Funeral with a Viewing

You might assume that you can't host a traditional funeral for your loved one because they are being cremated instead of being buried. However, this is not the case at all. If you and your family members would prefer to host a traditional funeral with a viewing, you have the option to do so. Then, obviously, the cremation can be handled after the funeral. Many families find that this is the option that they feel the most comfortable with, particularly among families that are most accustomed to traditional funerals and burials.

Host a Traditional Funeral Without a Viewing

If you like the idea of a traditional funeral but don't want to host a viewing, you do have that option. It isn't uncommon for families to host a traditional funeral without a viewing before the cremation. This can be the more affordable option, and some people find that they feel more comfortable hosting a funeral without a viewing for one reason or another. In lieu of a viewing, you could consider displaying photographs or playing videos of your loved one during happy times.

Host a Service When Scattering the Ashes

If you are planning on scattering your loved one's remains somewhere, then you may want to think about hosting a service so friends and family can watch the scattering their ashes. Then, your loved one's family members and friends can all be a part of the scattering of the ashes, and you'll be able to remember and honor your loved one in a special way. Plus, you might find that you will appreciate having all of this support when you're scattering the ashes, too.

As you can see, you do have a few options for hosting a loved one's funeral when they are being cremated. In fact, these are just a few of the options that you can look into. If you speak to someone from a cremation funeral service, you can find out about these options and other options for hosting a funeral for your lost loved one.

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