Category: Cremation

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.

There are many ways to honor your loved one after they have passed. From planting a tree in their honor to starting a new family tradition, there are many ways to keep their spirit alive. One such way that is growing in popularity is creating a memorial website. Providers of cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX. explain more.

What is a Memorial Website?

A memorial website is a designated place on the internet for your loved one to have their own website. This website could consist of just one page, or be very complex with navigation and many pages. It is a nice tribute because as long as you keep paying the fee for the service, the website will be “live”, meaning anyone with the link address can view the site.

This is especially nice if you have family members in different states or countries as everyone will be able to view this memorial tribute.

Why Choose Online?

Creating an online tribute just makes sense. Why? The online space is not only where we get our news and information, but also where we connect with friends and family, meet for video meetings, and even come together in virtual reality. With so much of our lives being digital, it just makes sense to turn to this space when it comes to honoring our loved one.

Types of Memorial Websites

There are several different types of memorial websites and they can be found having various features. Some of the most common features seen are:

• Guest Book – This is a virtual version of a paper guestbook guests would sign at a funeral or other service. Guests who visit the site can leave a message in this book.
• Streaming Services – Being able to livestream a funeral service can be a wonderful option for families who would like to save money on the service or who would like to allow those who live too far to attend in person to still be able to participate.
• Invitations – The invitation feature allows the family to invite guests and have the guest RSVP directly on the site helping them keep track of the guest count.

How Much Does a Memorial Website Cost?

Creating a memorial website can vary in price quite a bit. With than being said, there is an option for every price range. For those who are on a limited budget, there are free options that act mostly as a guest book only. As you add more features, the price of the site increases.

Also, it is important to note that some memorial websites charge just a one-time fee while others charge a reoccurring fee so make sure to pay attention to the pricing details when you sign up.

For those who want a truly unique website and have a little more room in their budget, an option is to have the site custom designed. This would be done by finding a web designer and working with them on-on-one to create the site.

In this day and age with everything and everyone being so digital, it is no surprise more and more people are creating memorial websites for their loved ones after their cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX.

Outdoor memorial services are truly a beautiful event. While these services are often held inside buildings such as funeral homes and churches, deciding to hold the service outdoors can make it a unique and peaceful event. However, these outdoor events do take a little more work and consideration to ensure they run smoothly. Knowing some of the top mistakes families make when planning an outdoor service can help you avoid making them as well. As providers of cremation services in Irving, TX., we are listing the top three mistakes we see most often.

1. Choosing a Noisy / Busy Location

Location, location, location. The location can make- or -break- the whole service. While you want to look for a location that has beautiful surroundings, you also want to think about the noise and crowd level.

For example, if you decide to hold the service at a park, check with the local park officials to make sure there aren’t any events such as bike races or charity walks that will be in that area on the day of the service. Also, if you choose a park, you might choose a less popular area so that you don’t have a lot of people around disturbing the service

2. Not Considering the Needs of the Guests

Mistake umber two is when the needs of the guests have been overlooked. For example, if it is a hot summer day, you may need to have a way to provide water and shade. Perhaps you need to rent a tent that the service can be held under or find a heavily shaded area. If it looks like rain, you will need to have a way for guests to be covered either with shelter or by offering umbrellas. Also, if the service is going to be long, you need to make sure there are restrooms available as well as ample seating.

3. Forgetting Key Equipment

Typically when you hold an indoor memorial service, things like a sound system, projectors, laptops, and microphones are generally provided. However, with an outdoor services, you will most likely have to provide these items yourself. Make sure you create a complete list of all the items you will need so that you don’t forget anything the day of the service. If you have someone who is technically inclined, see if they can help you with what you may need as well any help with the actual set up.

Final Thoughts

While it is true that an outdoor memorial service may require more planning and work to ensure everything runs smoothly, it can be completely worth the extra effort. Having your service in a place that is surrounded by plants, flowers, blue skies, and fresh air and truly bring the service to a whole new level of peace, calm, and togetherness.

Many families may know right away that they want to hold a memorial service for their loved one after their cremation services in Dallas, TX. Other families, however, may not be so sure. This could be a for variety of reasons including the family’s overall budget, time constraints, or the family may simply have too many other things t handle at the time.

While these reasons are all valid, memorial services provide many benefits that make them worth having. Let’s look at some of these top benefits.

1. It Offers a Sense of Closure

After a loved one passes away, we may understand logically that they are no longer here, but it takes some time before our brain truly accepts this new reality. With a memorial service allowing guests to begin the grieving process, it can bring that much needed sense of closure. And the guests can get this closure in the comfort and with the support of others.

2. It’s a Time to Feel Supported

Dealing with grief is hard. It can leave you feeling sad, angry, confused and even fearful. Often times we may isolate ourselves as we try to deal with these emotions. Memorial services give us an opportunity to be around others who are feeling the same way. These services provide a chance to connect and not only feel supported by others, but offer our support to them as well. This bond can be extremely beneficial at this crucial time.

3. It Allows a Time to Share Memories

The memorial service is a wonderful time to remember your loved one. During the service there may be friends and family who share thoughts, memories, and fun storied about your loved one. After the service, people may gather and continue in sharing their favorite tales.

4. It Sets a Dedicated Time for Remembrance

Memorial services set a specific day and time for honoring and remembering your loved one. With everything else that is going on such as work, kids, chores, errands, etc. these services provide a time for friends, family, and other members of the community to come together with the sole focus of paying tribute to your loved one.

5. It Gives a Chance for Final Goodbyes

Whether the body is present or not, memorial services offer us a chance to connect with our loved one in a very special and meaningful way. Because of this, these services are opportune times to say to them anything we may have on our hearts. This could be something we wished we had told them before or a final goodbye letting them know how much you love them. Even though we may not physically say the words aloud, even thinking them can bring a sense of relief and/ or comfort that our loved one has heard them.

Final Thoughts

You can see that memorial services offer a range of benefits that make them beneficial to hold. Both family members as well as guest will benefit from attending such a service. While there are valid reasons that sometimes make more sense not to hold a memorial service, if you are at all on the fence about it, we hope this post helps you see the importance of these services.

If you would like to talk more about memorials or cremation services in Dallas, TX. know that we are here. We are happy to answer any questions you may have anytime.