6 Important And Useful Things You Need To Know About Cremation
There are few things as painful as losing someone close to you and healing is never easy, which is why it’s important to find the right memorial to treasure so that you can feel a little more at peace knowing you did right by them, and there are a few things you should know about cremation since sometimes, understanding the process is comforting when you’re dealing with so many overwhelming emotions.
1. Placing The Urn
Since ancient times, there have been certain customs that people do to show their grief after someone dies, and many feel comforted by these rites because it prepares them for letting go. A columbarium or urn garden is where urns can be placed so that your loved one has a final resting place you can visit when you want to pay respects and need to feel close to them.
However, since a lot of the time we don’t live in the same place our loved ones did, it can be hard to visit as often as you’d like. The people behind greenmeadowmemorials.com have recognized this is a really common struggle, which is why in their experience, giving family members a memorial of their own by means of keepsake urns can be incredibly meaningful for the grieving process. As you hold onto your loved one’s ashes, it helps you realize that what they left behind was only their physical body while their spirit lives on through everything that they have done which is immortalized in the lives they touched.
Some people find that engraving your loved one’s name and dates on the urn can be a tremendous comfort for this very reason. It’s like they’re looking down and seeing that you’re taking care of them, knowing they have a special place in your heart.
2. Pet Memorials
Just like people grieve for other people, dogs and cats are considered family members by many too. Watching your best friend pass away can be incredibly painful, which is why a lot of people choose to keep their loyal companions close with cremation urns.
Cats and dogs give so much joy to people’s lives that it can be hard to let go sometimes. Usually, the owners are with their pets until the very end, which can make the situation even more heartbreaking. That’s why lots of people opt for ashes urns so that their beloved pet can be with them in spirit.
In a way, it’s a nice way to get closure for both of you, and it can be an incredible comfort knowing that your best friend is with you even though they’re not physically there.
3. Scattering Ashes
There are many reasons people choose to scatter ashes instead of keeping them in an urn. Sometimes it’s about the last wishes of the deceased and sometimes it’s about the family members’ wishes.
Scattering ashes in a place that’s meaningful to someone can be a really nice way of celebrating their life. It’s also incredibly common for families to scatter the ashes together so that they can all feel a little less alone in dealing with their loss. A lot of the time, people that do this keep the urn so that they can have something physical to look over when they need to feel close to their loved one again.
It is important to note, though, that there are places where you can’t scatter ashes so you should always check the rules of the location before doing so.
4. Memorial Services
Memorial services don’t have to be religious, and they don’t have to be somber either. In fact, a great way of celebrating someone’s life is by having a memorial service filled with laughter and wonderful memories. It can be really nice to have a service where friends and family members get to share their favorite stories about the deceased. The people that knew your loved one can give others who didn’t know them an idea of what they were like, and it’s a way of making sure that their spirit will never be forgotten.
5. The Procession
A cremation service is similar to traditional burial in some ways. Usually, people gather in the chapel to pay their respects and listen to a eulogy. It’s not unusual to gather around the casket during this time, which is then lowered slowly below, much like putting a loved one into the ground. After this, the cremation happens and the ashes are given to family members. Placing the urn is the final step of the procession, regardless of whether your loved one’s final resting place is in a columbarium or the family’s home.
6. There Are Regulations
Typically, a crematorium will have a designated area for a family to place the urn. They may also require you to register as the next of kin before giving out any information about your loved one’s remains. Not having this paperwork can delay or complicate things so it is important that you keep records of everything just in case. While dealing with paperwork at such a time can be even more stressful, it is necessary to ensure that you follow all the proper rules and legalities.
There are a lot of things to consider when planning a cremation service, but it is always important to choose what you feel most comfortable with. Losing a loved one can be an incredibly difficult experience, but it’s also an important part of life. Take some time to be with your family and talk about how you feel, and allow yourself time to grieve because that’s what your loved one would have wanted the most.