Month: July 2022

After your loved one’s cremation services in Dallas, TX., having a memorial service serves as a wonderful tribute as well as a way to celebrate their life. Typically, these services include things like finding an officiant or master of ceremonies to run the event, as well as creating a memorial program, deciding on memorial favors for the guests, selecting the readings and music selection for the service among a ton of other decisions.

All of this can be very dauting and overwhelming to many families. The good news is that the size and scope of the memorial service isn’t important. It does not reflect how much the deceased was loved or how much of an impact they made.

The important thing about these services is that they honor and celebrate the life lost. They also provide a way for those left behind to come to terms with the new reality and begin the healing process. Because of this, even a small, intimate event can be truly beautiful and meaningful.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to hold a memorial that is not only small, but veers away from the traditional format. Use these ideas for a way to honor your loved one or for inspiration to create a unique event of your own.

Plant a Garden

If you have the space, planting a memorial garden is a lovely activity to do with friends and family. Not only will this garden serve as a beautiful tribute to your loved one, the act of creating it with those close to you will fill you with love and comfort every time you view it.

There are no rules as to how this garden has to be created. You can either provide all of the plants and flowers, or have each guest bring something to be planted. You may wish to use flowers that hold special meaning, or that are all made up of your loved one’s favorite color.

Hold an Open Mic Night

Invite guests over for an open mic night. Guests could each take turns on the mic and either tell a favorite story or memory of the loved one, read a poem, recite or sing a song, read from a book, or recite something they wrote themselves.

Hold a Movie Night

Did your loved one have any favorite movies? Maybe they loved a certain genre of movie or adored a certain actor or actress. If you loved one was a movie buff, then hosting a movie night is a fun and unique way to honor their memory.

This can be even more special if you have the ability to host this event outside under the stars. Either way, you can create a cozy space with blankets, pillows and cushions. You can also serve popcorn or other favorite movie snacks. Everyone can get cozy, settle in, watch movies and share stories and memories of the loved one.

Final Thoughts

While most people think of a memorial event being a formal, structured service, the truth is, it can be anything you like. There are no rules when it comes to how you want to honor your loved one after their cremation services in Dallas, TX. In fact, sometimes a smaller, more unconventional event can be the perfect for you and your family.

Many people may think that the options for remains after their loved one has been cremated are to either scatter the ashes back into nature, or keep them in an urn which is placed in their home. However, there are several options for resting places for those who choose cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX.

Columbarium Niche

One option that families man not be aware of is placing the urn in a columbarium niche. A columbarium is a structure that is made up of individual spaces called “niches” and can be outside as stand-alone features or inside as part of another structure. They are typically seen in cremation gardens and cemeteries but may also be found at other memorial locations.

The columbarium niche is where the urn will be placed. The niche may have a glass front so that the urn can be seen or a metal front where the urn is hidden from view. The family may be able to have a plaque engraved and attached to the front of the niche to serve as a memorial marker.

Ground Burial

Many people may be surprised to know that even with cremation it is possible to have a ground burial. This options is wonderful as certain religious beliefs may allow cremation, but also specify that the remains should be not scattered, but kept together and buried.

A cremated burial is much like that of a casket burial. There is a burial vault that the urn is placed in to help keep the ground from shifting and a headstone or grave marker is typically allowed to be placed. This can be a great fit for those families who wish to design a headstone in honor of their loved one as well as have a designated private space to visit when they want to feel close to them.

Cremation Garden

Cremation gardens can be found as separate locations or part of a cemetery or other location. They may offer areas for releasing of ashes in a scattering garden, as well as places for ground burials, and columbarius.

Many families may choose cremation gardens because they are typically landscaped with colorful flowers, lush plants, walkways, sitting areas, as well as fountains or other water features. Also, since they offer so many options for ways to handle the remains, they appeal to a wide variety of individuals and families.

Considerations to Keep in Mind

When making the choice of where the final resting place will be for your loved one, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, did they have any religious beliefs that would dictate the way the remains are to be handled? Second, what is the best way that most of the family can agree on? While you can’t always make everyone happy, it’s important that those family members who are affected by this loss have some input. Finally, what would you loved one want? Did they have any specific wishes they made known? If so, make sure to try an honor these.

Remember, we are here to help answer any questions you may have about cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX. so feel free to call or come by anytime.

After your loved one’s cremation services in Irving, TX., having the remains placed in an urn and kept inside your home can offer great comfort. However, this option has some disadvantages that may cause some families to look for another option. For example, keeping the urn in one home can make it difficult for other family members or friends to visit or be near the urn. Other families may choose another option because they would like to have a larger tribute for their loved one than just the urn itself.

Because of this many people are choosing to have their loved one’s remains placed in a columbarium To learn more about this option, and if it’s right for you and your family, keep reading.

What is a Columbarium?

Columbariums are structures that are either par of a building, memorial, or a stand-alone structure. They are typically found in cemeteries, cremation gardens, or other memorial locations.

Whether the columbarium is part of a larger structure or on its own, it is comprised on spaces that are referred to as “niches”. It is in these niches that urns are placed.

There are a few types of niches with the two most common being:

• Metal Front Niche– A metal front niche hides the urn from view as it covers the front. With metal front niches, there is typically an engraving on the face that included the deceased’s name, date of birth, date of passing, and maybe a short epitaph or passage.
• Glass Front Niche – A glass front niches allows for the contains of the niche to be seen by visitors. Because of this many families choose to also add other things in addition to the urn such as a photograph of their loved one or other personal items.

Columbarium Advantages

Columbariums provide many advantages that cause families to choose this option. Some of the most popular reasons include:

• Provide a General Location – Many families choose a columbarium niche for their loved one’s remains because it offers the family a general location that any and all guests can visit anytime they wish.
• Offer Beautiful Scenery – Most all columbariums will be found in wonderful landscaped surroundings that offer a beautiful and peaceful environment to connect with your loved one. Many also offer benches or other seating areas to rest and reflect.
• Serve as a Memorial – Columbarium niches not only house your loved ones remains, but they serve as a memorial and tribute to them. Being able to have the front of the niche engraved or adding more items into the niche can serve more of a memorial than an urn simply placed in a home.

Shelter from the Elements- If the columbarium is inside another structure, it offers visitors a way to visit their loved one while being sheltered from the elements such as rain or from the sun on a hot summer day.

Final Thoughts

While placing your loved one’s remains in your home after their cremation many be great for some, other families may enjoy the advantages that a columbarium can provide. If you would like more information about columbariums or cremation services in Irving, TX., feel free to call or come by anytime and let our caring staff answer any questions you may have.

When many people think about cremation services in Dallas, TX., they may be under the impression that it is not possible to hold a funeral service prior to the cremation. While this is true with the service known as “direct” or “simple” cremation, the truth is funerals as well as viewings are able still available to those who wish to be cremated. Let’s look at how funerals and other services work when your loved one chooses cremation.

Holding a Viewing

A viewing is an event that typically take the place the day before the funeral. It is a less formal affair than the funeral and guests tend to come and go rather than having to arrive at a certain time.

The body of the deceased is present and displayed in a casket so that those who wish may approach and say their final goodbyes. There are often refreshments offered such as cookies and punch or other light snacks.

Sine the body will be present, it will need to be prepared for the event. This can include services such as embalming, makeup and hair. This is the same whether the body will then have a ground burial or be cremated.

The casket the body is in for the viewing can be purchased, or if the family would rather, can be rented. When the family chooses rental, there is a less expensive container placed inside the casket which the body rests in. After the service, the body and the container will be taken out and the casket is relined for future use. The guests only see the main outer casket so this is a wonderful option for those who do not wish to purchase and actual casket.

Funeral Service

Holding a funeral service is the same for your loved one show chooses creation as it is for those who choose a ground burial. The body can be present in the same way it is for the viewing. The only difference with the funeral service is that afterwards, the body will be taken to the crematorium and not to the cemetery.

Funeral Reception

Many families choose to hold a funeral reception after the funeral. This can also still be done with cremation since this is after the body has been disposed. Funeral receptions are a wonderful way to come together after a difficult day, visit and support one another, and honor and pay tribute to the life lost. These receptions can be private events for family and/or close friends only or open to the public for anyone to attend.

Final Thoughts

While direct cremation does not allow time before the cremation to hold services such as funerals and viewings, these services are still available with other cremation packages. Because of this, families have great flexibility when it comes to the types of services they wish to hold for their loved one.

If you would like more information about cremation services in Dallas, TX., and the advantages it may offer your family, give us a call anytime and we are always here to help.