When you first begin the process of designing a funeral, the decisions you'll face might seem overwhelming at first. We're here to help you tackle the choices one by one and make the journey one of love, healing, and life celebration. The process can be broken down into two stages: decisions regarding the service and how you'd like to honor your loved one's life, and decisions regarding how you'd like to care for your loved one's physical remains.
Designing a Service
Whether it's formal or informal, traditional or offbeat, a funeral provides an opportunity for family and friends to gather and support one another in taking the first steps of their healing journey. A service can take place in any setting - at your church, outdoors, or at our facilities, for example - and can incorporate music, poetry, or art in the celebration of a life well-lived. There are endless possibilities for what the service can be, and we're honored to go above and beyond in our duty to meet your personalized and specific requests.
Our staff is experienced in understanding and graciously accommodating the needs of all beliefs, faiths, lifestyles, and relationships. We're here to answer your questions and guide you through the decisions you'll need to make, and will encourage you to take your time to figure out the most meaningful and fitting way to honor your loved one and incorporate the elements that you and your family find meaningful.
Caring for a Loved One's Physical Remains
Once you've chosen how you'd like to celebrate your loved one's life journey, the next decision you'll face is about how you'd like to care for their physical remains. This can be a difficult or emotional choice for you and your family, and we'll provide you with the information you need as we help you to consider your options and make the decision that is right for your loved one and for your family. Once you've made that decision, there are a few additional decisions you'll face:
- For burial, you will need to decide in which cemetery your loved one is to be buried if they have not already made plans for cemetery spaces. We will also help in sharing options of caskets and outer burial containers or vaults as required by most cemeteries in the area.
- For cremation or anatomical donation, the first choice is usually if your family would want the body present for viewing for services or visitation with cremation or donation taking place after services or visitation or if there is not to be viewing; therefore the cremation or donation taking place directly. You will also be given the choice to select an urn and choose what is to take place with the cremated remains.
No matter which path you decide to take, we'll be there to support you and assist you in exploring your options and making an informed decision that feels right for you and your loved one.