Nearly 5 years ago, my husband’s precious maternal grandmother passed away. This special woman had an amazing sense of humor and a flair for life. Without saying a word, she could make me laugh with just a look. Several years before her death, she visited a local funeral home in order to plan her funeral services. When she passed away, the family didn’t have to deal with the stress of organizing her farewell services. They could relax, grieve, and concentrate on the wonderful memories they shared with her. I've grown to appreciate this. On this blog, you will discover the steps required to plan your own funeral.
Planning Your Funeral
Four Times When Cremation May Be The Best Option
Nora Mitchelle
When a loved one passes away, the overwhelming grief can make it tough to think through decisions and make wise choices. One of the biggest choices you will need to make during this time of loss is how to handle your loved one's remains. Many people opt for a typical embalming and burial, but there is another option: cremation. Here are four instances in which cremation may be the best choice for your loved one's remains.
1. Your loved one wished to be cremated.
If your loved one left behind a will or final wishes, make sure you look these documents over before the funeral. The documents may specify how your loved one wanted to have their body handled. If your loved one requested cremation, it is respectful to honor those wishes. This also applies if you had a conversation with your loved one while they were alive during which they expressed a desire for cremation.
2. Your loved one's body was badly damaged.
If your loved one died in a traumatic way, such as during a car wreck or from cancer that ravaged their body, you may wish to have them cremated as an alternative to having an open-casket viewing. Seeing your loved one in a less-than-ideal state may be hard and may not bring you the closure you need. Cremation is a respectful way to handle the body without forcing yourself and others to visualize the trauma your loved one went through.
3. The funeral budget is limited.
Cremation is often a lot cheaper than a traditional funeral and burial. You do not have to pay for a casket or for a burial space. If funds are limited because the deceased did not have a life insurance policy or savings, cremation may be a good way to honor their memory without causing your family financial stress. Your loved one would probably not have wanted you to go into debt for their final wishes!
4. Your loved one was very eco-conscious.
If your loved one was very interested in environmentalism, you may wish to have them cremated because it tends to be a better choice for the planet. Ashes are a natural product that will break down in the soil, whereas embalming fluid is not.
To learn more about the benefits of cremation and when it works well for families, reach out to a funeral home or crematory in your area.
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