Planning a meaningful funeral for a loved one is a ritual that almost all of us will encounter at some point in our lives. As you consider the various aspects of a funeral where burial is the final disposition, there are several elements that you can and will need to select in order to create a touching tribute for your loved one. These things will also provide comfort to those who are living as you pay your final respects.
When burial is chosen, the graveside ceremony is the final opportunity to say goodbye. Accompanying a body to its final resting place and saying a few last words brings a necessary feeling of closure to the funeral process. Families are often deeply touched by this ceremony, and its memory resonates for years. A meaningful committal service not only helps us acknowledge the reality and finality of death, but it also symbolizes the separation that death has created. It is an essential ingredient of a meaningful funeral experience.
A direct burial is when there is no funeral service. But instead, a simple final disposition of the body by the funeral home.
Think carefully about the many options available to you and your family. Slow down and plan. It is through planning that a meaningful experience is created. And do remember that funeral directors, clergy, celebrants and close friends who have done these things before can all be valuable resources to you. You are not alone!
Personalization isn't just about honoring your loved one's individuality. It also allows family and friends to feel connected to the services and the life being honored. We work closely with you and your family to get to know your loved one's life story so we can make their services as personal as possible.
Traditionally, families have chosen to bury their loved ones in a cemetery. Entombment, which is the placement of the casketed body in an above-ground structure called a mausoleum, also takes place at a cemetery. When a casket is entombed, it is placed in an enclosure (called a crypt), and the front is usually sealed and faced with either marble or granite.
Your funeral director will know which cemeteries are nearby and can help you purchase cemetery plots appropriate for your needs.
Many families choose burial or entombment at a nearby cemetery because it allows them to visit the gravesite as often as they like. This helps them continue to feel close to the person who died, while still acknowledging the death.
Because so many aspects should be considered when purchasing a cemetery plot, you may want to consider discussing the options in advance. Questions you may want to consider include:
Also called headstones, grave markers are used in cemeteries to memorialize and identify the gravesite of the person who has died. You may want to personalize the grave marker by including a poem, a drawing or a short phrase that defines the person who died.
Monuments and grave markers are available in a variety of materials, including natural stone, concrete and bronze. Styles can range from very simple to ornate, as single markers or companion monuments.
When someone we love dies, we often feel the need to share their story with family, friends and our extended communities. A recent trend has been to memorialize loved ones by creating a website that honors them and mourns their loss.
Friends and relatives often share memories, stories, photos and condolences in guest books, both at the funeral and on the funeral home's website. At the funeral, invite people to write down a memory of the person who died. Ask children if they would like to write a letter or draw a picture for the person.
A video tribute is a unique way to personalize a memorial service - giving you and your family the opportunity to pause and reflect on the life of the person you knew and love. These touching montages can consist of music, photos, memorabilia, or newspaper articles that take viewers through the life of the person who has died. Tributes can also be made into DVDs or saved electronically for your family to keep.
Are you ready to take the next steps with planning a comforting experience? Call us today!
Print and share this planning guide with family,
friends and your funeral director as you
finalize your plans
Learn more about how we can help you honor your loved ones. (317) 462-5536
Stillinger Family Funeral Home
(317) 462-5536
1780 W Main St
Greenfield, IN 46140
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