Month: March 2023

As part of your loved one’s cremation services in Irving, TX. you will need to select their urn. This urn is not only a vessel to house their remains but also act as a visual tribute to remember and honor them. It will be their final resting place and very possibly get passed down to future generations.

Because of how special this item is, you want to make sure you select the very best one. With so many options, this can be a difficult choice. Today we are going to break down what you should consider when making this important choice.

Consider The Type of Urn

There are many types of urns and each one is better suited for certain situations. Some of the most common types of urns are display, keepsake, and biodegradable.

• Display- This type of urn is what most people think of when they consider keeping their loved one’s ashes. These urns are large enough to contain all the ashes and are normally made from decorative finishes and designs.
• Keepsake- Keepsake urns are smaller and are meant to hold just a portion of remains. These are good urns for families who have several family members who each wish to have an urn with some of the ashes.
• Biodegradable- Biodegrade urns are becoming more popular and are used typically when a family wishes to bury their loved one’s ashes with a tree or flowers send the remains out in the ocean or a lake, or place then in another natural setting.

You Want to Consider the Size

Many people are under the impression that urns are all one size. This is simply not the case. Urns can be found available in a variety of sizes. To know what size you will need, you will need to know about how much your loved one weighed. This is because for every pound of body weight, one cubic inch of space is needed in the urn. So, for example, a person who weighed 175 pounds would need an urn of at least 175 cubic inches or more. The exception to this case is with keepsake urns since those urns are meant to be smaller and only hold a small portion of the remains.

Choosing the Material of the Urn

Just as urns come in a variety of sizes, there are even more options of materials. Everything from wood and metal to glass and even biodegradable such as bamboo and paper. Each material has its own set of pros and cons that should be taken into account. For example, wooden urns are beautiful and very durable, however, they can crack and warp over time if exposed to direct sunlight or humidity. On the flip side, while glass and ceramic urns do well in sunny and humid areas, they are very delicate and be broken easily.

While choosing your loved one’s urn after their cremation services in Irving, TX. can seem daunting, if you keep these considerations in mind you will be sure to select the most appropriate one.

Personal items have been included in burials for over thousands of years. This is most well-known with the Pharos in ancient Egypt. In their tombs you could find items such as bowls, bows and arrows, jewelry, and more. Today many people still have certain items they may wish to be buried with. As providers of cremation services in Dallas, TX., we often gets asked if this is possible with cremation as well. Today we are going to cover what is, and what isn’t, allowed.

Items That Are Permitted to be Included with Cremation

While there are certain items that are not allowed to be included with a cremation, many people are surprised to find out that several items can be included. Some of these personal mementos include:

• Favorite photographs
• Flowers
• Pieces of clothing or a special blanket
• Books and Magazines
• Small wooden items (an example would be rosary beads)
• Special notes or letters
• Stuffed toys such as a stuffed animal might be allowed
• Certain jewelry might be permitted

Items Not Allowed to be Included in Cremation

There are many items that simply cannot be included. This is because that these items may be hazardous for the environment or become dangerous when heated. These items that are not allowed include:

• Lighters
• Anything with a battery in it
• Any glass items
• Bottles of alcohol
• Anything made from materials including rubber, latex, leather, or vinyl
• Pacemakers
• Any containers made from glass or plastic

What Clothes Are Permitted?

Typically, most items of clothing will be allowed. The exceptions for this are clothes made from synthetic materials, or those that have added embellishments that may become hazardous when burned.

Considerations When Choosing What Items to Include in the Cremation

When choosing what items should be included with the cremation, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure any religious rules are being followed. While cremation is becoming more widely accepted with certain religions, there may be specific rules about how it should be performed and what should be included, or not included. If you are unsure about the process and rules, talk with a religious leader to ensure you are following everything correctly.

Also it’s important to think about when an item is included, it will be gone forever. So while you may want to have a special photograph or letter included, it may be better to save it as a family keepsake. Therefore you may want to discuss what should be included with other family members.

Final Thoughts

Having personal items included in burials and cremations has been performed for over thousands of years. Today, this practice still remains in effect. Although there are certain items that may not be allowed, there are still several options for what can be included. If you have questions about an item, talk to your cremation director as they will be able to answer all your questions.

To learn more about direct cremation in general or any other cremation services in Dallas, TX. feel free to reach out to us anytime.

Your loved one’s obituary was undoubtedly created with a lot of effort from you and your family. It contains information about their birthplace, life, achievements, family, details of their service and more. Because of this many families may wish to hold on to this announcement as a keepsake. As providers of cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX., we have often been asked how to best maintain this keepsake. Today we are going to talk about some of our favorite ways.

Have the Obituary Framed

You can either have the obituary professionally framed or do it yourself with a frame you purchase at a home goods store. Having the obituary in a frame will not only make a lovely keepsake, but it will also help protect the obituary from rips, tears, and other damage. Once framed, you can display it on a memorial wall or next to their urn.

Place it in a Shadow Box

If you like the idea of framing the obituary and want to add additional elements, consider using a shadow box. These boxes allow for the obituary to be protected while also offering additional room to display small mementos such as flowers from the service, medals, notes, or photographs.

Place the Obituary in a Scrapbook

A scrapbook is an ideal place for an obituary as it is a special book that already contains many other meaningful memories. You could add this item to a scrapbook you already have or create a brand new on just for your loved one. Other than the obituary you could include old photographs, certificates, diplomas, awards, and any other notable items.

Have it Laminated

Having the obituary laminated will ensure it is protected for years to come. You can either have it professionally done or at home with a home laminator. Once it is laminated you could use it for a bookmark, add it next to their urn or other display, or simply tuck it in a hope chest or other safe location.

Consider a Wood Transfer

Did you know that there is a technique where you can transfer text from the newspaper onto wood? To learn more on how to complete this, simply search a site like YouTube for several video tutorials. This technique could be used to place the obituary on a piece of wood to display, or things like a coffee table, cutting board, and more.

Have a Placemat Designed

A newer idea is to have the obituary used as part of a placemat design. This can be a lovely keepsake as it can be set at the family table as a way to honor and remember your loved one. You can also add additional photographs or text such as a poem or bible verse. To find a placemat designers, search artisan sites such as Etsy.

Helpful Tips

If you plan on using the obituary as a keepsake, it is suggested that you get multiple copies of the newspaper or copy the obituary with a copier. This will ensure you have plenty of backups in case a project doesn’t work or you wish to make more than one keepsake.

Also, if you can, laminating the obituary is always a good idea. Most of the time, the lamination won’t interfere with whatever project you choose and it will help to protect the paper.

If you would like more information on ways to keep your loved one’s obituary or cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX., feel free to reach out to us anytime.