Category: Blog

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.

Many individuals and families wish to create a tribute of sorts for their loved one after their cremation services in Irving, TX. While there are several ideas out there for tributes, if you want to make an impact inside your home, consider creating a memorial wall.

The wonderful thing about this idea that the only space you need is a wall. It could be anywhere you wish in your home and can be as small or large as you want. You can also choose to add the urn for display on the wall or keep the urn on display in a separate location. While the style and design of the wall is able to be completely customized for your preferences, there are a few guidelines you can follow to help with the overall design aesthetic.

Deciding on the Picture Frames

Even though the wall will be made up of several individual pictures, you want the picture frames to match ins some sort of way. This could mean that the frames are all painted in various hues of the same color. For example, all the frames could be painted in blues with some being lighter, some being darker, and some in between.

If you don’t want to have the frames be all the same color tone, they could all be a certain style such as modern, or farmhouse. They could even all be from a certain ear such as Victorian. The bottom line is that while the frames don’t have to be the same, they need to look cohesive.

Select Additional Elements

Other than images, memorial walls can include shelves for items such as plants, candles, personal mementos as well as the urn. Decide on what elements you want to include now as you want these items to blend and join in seamlessly with the framed images. Waiting until later can make it difficult to add them in.

Lay it Out First

One of the most important things to do (especially if you have several images) is to lay the images on the floor and design the layout. Don’t start hanging pictures on the wall and try to “figure it out as you go” as this rarely ends up good. Instead, take some time and lay out the design on the floor. This way you have ample freedom to arrange and rearrange until you get it just right.

Measure the Spaces

Having even spacing between the images is what is really going to give the design a clean, organized look. When the spacing is different between various images, it makes the wall appear messy. Use a ruler or measuring tape and aim for 2 inches or so as this is a good length.

Final Thoughts

A memorial wall in your home is a wonderful way to honor and remember your loved one. These are great tributes to create because they can also be completed as a group project so that many family members can be involved. This tribute will be a welcomed site in your home after your loved one’s cremation services in Irving, TX.

Watching a friend go through the grief of losing a loved one can be heartbreaking. You want to be there for them and help them through this difficult time but knowing the right thing to do or say can be challenging. As providers of cremation services in Dallas, TX., we understand you want to support your friend. While everyone handles grief differently and sometimes may need different things to help them though, we are going to talk today about some general ways you can show your support.

Create a Meaningful Care Package

Creating a care package is a wonderful way to show your friend support and help them in a practical way but suppling them with items they can use at this time. While sympathy care packages can be found already made online and in other retailers, creating a unique, personal arrangement can be a nice touch.

When it comes to adding items to your package, there are a lot of excellent choices that your friend can benefit from. Some of these include:

• Food – Your friend will most likely not be motivated to cook or even eat much at all. Adding items that are easy such as peanuts, granola or protein bars, dried fruit, and more can provide them an easy way to stay nourished.
• Daily Necessities – While shampoo and body soap don’t seem too exciting, they can be welcomed items when your friend runs out and doesn’t want to get out and head to the store to buy more.
• Comfort items -Adding in items like scented candles, fuzzy socks, a weighted blanket, or a soft cuddly stuffed animal can bring your friend a little comfort in this this difficult time.

Offer to Help Them Around the Home

Another way to help your friend is to offer to do perform chores and other tasks around the home for them. While they are grieving they may let things like washing dishes, taking the trash or other chores slack. You can step in and get these chores completed. Other things you can do are:

• Run errands for them
• Pick up groceries
• Help manage their bills
• Assist with children and/or pets

Not only will these things get done, but it will create a cleaner, more organized environment for your friend to be in which can actually lift their mental state a little.

Just Be There for Them

One of the most important things you can do as a friend is to just make sure your grieving friend knows you are there. Let them vent to you, cry on your shoulder, talk about their pain, or whatever else they may need. Don’t judge. Don’t try to “fix them”. Just listen.

If they feel up to it, take them out to lunch, a movie, or a hike in the park. Be around and let them know you are there for them in whichever way they may need.

If you would like more information about cremation services in Dallas, TX. , or resources to help those who are grieving, please feel free to reach out to us anytime and let us help you.

When you begin looking at urns for your loved one’s cremains, you will notice there are a variety of different types. Not only are the designs and colors different, but also the materials that are used in creating the urn will vary. If you wish to have a sturdy, durable urn, a wooden urn is the best choice. Providers of cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX. share more about these urns as well as how to clean and maintain them.

The Different Types of Wooden Urns

Wooden urns are made from a wide range of hard and softwoods. With each type of wood having it’s own color, patterns, and markings, you have quite a few options to choose from. Some of the most popular types of wood and their characteristics are:

• Maple – Many maple urns have a straight-grained texture and are known for their durability since maple is a heavier wood. These urns are also strong and resistance to abrasion.
• Mahogany – You can find mahogany wood a popular choice of furniture and for urns. This wood has a reddish-brown tone and a variable grain and makes for an elegant choice of urn.
• Walnut – Walnut is a very strong and stable wood that comes in several varieties and can come in either straight or variable grain. This dark wood comes from the walnut tree which is one of the strongest and largest trees in the United States.
• Cherry – This moderate hardwood has deep reddish-brown tones and has have been a popular choice for furniture for centuries. When used for an urn it creates a classic piece that compliments any room.

Make Sure You Select the Correct Urn Size

Many people are unaware that urns actually come in different sizes. Because of this, you need to make sure to pay attention to the size and that it is appropriate for your needs.. To know if you are choosing the right size, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has set an industry standard. This standard size for an urn is 200 cubic inches. Note that generally speaking, urns need one cubic inch for every pound of body weight. So, for example, if your loved one was 220 pounds, they will need a larger urn of at least 220 cubic inches.

How to Properly Care for and Maintain Your Urn

Wooden urns are durable and can last for years as long as they are properly cared for. The first thing to know is that both sunlight and humidity can cause damage. When placing your wooden urn in your home make sure to keep it out of sunlight and do not place in a room with high humidity. Secondly, make sure to clean your wooden urn properly. Do this by always using a polish made for wood, do not use soap and water as water can also damage the urn.

Final Thoughts

While there are several urn styles and designs out there, if you want a durable urn with a natural beauty, a wooden urn is a top choice. If you would like to see your options, simply visit a providers of cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX. as they typically have many options available.

If you are considering holding a memorial service for your loved one after their cremation services in Irving, TX, one element that is very popular is a tribute table. Also called a remembrance table these tables are a place for you to display items and show guests who your loved one really was and what they were all about. To help inspire you and your tribute table, we are sharing some of our favorite items to display as well as design ideas.

Adding Personal Items

The most popular and common items to add to a tribute table are personal items of your loved one. This could be things such as photographs, school diplomas or awards, trophies, and another item you would like to display.

Along with these more common items, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and add items that may be a little less traditional. Some examples of these could be things that portrayed a favorite hobby or passion they loved such as a favorite fishing poll or a ticket from a big sporting event they attended.

Candles and Flowers

While these items don’t portray your loved one’s life, they do help in acting as décor and helping the table look nice. Using things such as tea lights around the table can add a nice warm glow to the area and adding flowers can add a pop of color and some nice fresh scents.

Make Items Different Heights

To add interest to the table, you want to have the items that are being displayed doing so in various heights. This not only adds a nice visual appearance but it also makes the items easier for guests to see. If the items themselves are not different heights, you can add blocks or boxes on the table and drape with fabric. Then simply place items on top of the blocks and boxes and arrange accordingly.

Have a Focal Point

If the tribute table is large, it can be nice to have one item or a grouping of items act as a focal point. This could be an image that you have blown up from a photograph and have it displayed on the table with an easel. This could also be perhaps a large trophy with some smaller ones around it. Grouping items and creating a focal point this way will give the table a bit more of an organized feel.

Create Theme Tables

This is a really fun and interesting idea. If you want more than one table or if you have too many items to display on just one table, consider having more tables that are themed. Maybe one could be only photographs from their life starting from childhood on. Another table could be all about their hobby. For example, if they were an avid fisherman, you could include things like their fishing pole, tackle box, and images of them enjoying their activity.

Final Thoughts

Having a memorial service for your loved one after their cremation services in Irving, TX. is a wonderful way to honor them as well as be surrounded by those you love. While there are several ways to make a memorial service special and unique, having a tribute table can be a truly touching addition to any service.

Dealing with the pain of losing a loved one can be devasting. While everyone works through and processes this differently, the grief you experience can be crippling if not handled in a healthy way. Some people may be able to work through the grief on their own but others may need professional help in doing so. As directors of cremation services in Dallas, TX. we understand how difficult the grieving process can be and want to talk today about getting help with a grief counselor.

What is Greif?

Grief is what we experience when we suffer a loss. There are many aspects of grief including different emotions as well as different stages. What makes grief so tricky to navigate is that you may bounce between these emotions and stages at different times and at different rates.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve although you do want to do so in a healthy way. This means that if you are having a difficult time handling the grief, it might be a good idea to seek professional help. Signs you may be having a challenging time with grief include:

• You are having difficulty performing daily activities
• The grief is making it hard for you to carry on with your own life
• The grief you feel is causing problems in your relationships
• You are feeling more intense feelings of depression or anger

What is a Grief Counselor?

A grief counselor is a professional who can help you cope and process your grief. These professionals have been trained in methods and strategies to help you understand what you are feeling and work through it. They will help you dive into what you are feeling and provide ways and insight to help you work through it.

This work will be done in sessions. You can choose to meet with the counselor one-on-one for very personal and in-depth sessions. Or if you prefer, many counselors will also offer group sessions. These group sessions will not be focused on you but in grief in general. Some people may choose the group sessions because they can connect and receive support from others in the group.

How to Find a Greif Counselor?

You can find a grief counselor as well as grief support groups in a number of ways. One if to simply do an online search for grief counselors in your local area. This will bring up quite a few results that you can then choose from. You can also contact your local churches, funeral homes, and eve city services as many of these locations will have resources for grief counseling.

When you find a counselor you are interested in, make sure to look at their past reviews to ensure they are reputable and will be able to best help you. You can do this by visiting their website, social media channels as well as platforms like yelp and Google.

Give Yourself Credit for Looking for Help

Meeting with funeral homes Smithsburg, MD. to talk about your loved one’s arrangements, trying to navigate this new reality of your loved one no longer here, and more can be absolutely devasting. While many people don’t like to ask for help there are certain situations were we are simply not equipped to handle on our own. This can be one of them. Give yourself credit for knowing you need some extra help and feel good knowing you are making a good choice.