Monthly Archives: October 2019

Tips for a Green Cremation Service

More and more people these days are choosing more environmentally friendly burial and cremation options. If this is something that you are interested in, either when preplanning for yourself or when making arrangements for a loved one, there are “green” options available. For people who want “green” cremation services, there are excellent things you can do to make this possible. Here are the options that cremation services in La Porte, IN recommend.

The kind of cremation service you have can impact the environmental impact. The best option is bio cremation, which uses water instead of heat to break the body down. This releases almost no carbon into the air. Other cremation options do tend to release carbon, so if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you will want to choose bio cremation. Not all providers can offer it, however, because it requires specialized facilities that not all crematoriums have available.

The urn you select for yourself or your loved one is also important. If you are planning on a water burial or if you just want to significantly reduce the impact on the environment, choosing a biodegradable urn is a good option. These can be made of clay, wood, sand, salt, and even seaweed. They can be exactly the right option if you want to bury the urn. Of course, this is not necessarily a good choice of you want the urn to be on display in a columbarium niche or in your home, so keep that in mind.

If you are planning on a memorial service, choose to use recyclable materials so that there is no waste. Many people choose to have recyclable utensils and plates. This can make a huge difference, so it is something to consider.

Another great thing you can do to help the environment while still honoring your loved one is to plant seeds with the urn or the cremated remains. This allows you to honor the person with a beautiful plant while also making it possible to do something positive for the environment. There are many companies that can facilitate this purchase, so do ask the provider that you are considering for suggestions or to see if they can provide these services themselves.

These are all options that can make a difference when you want to offer the “greenest” cremation services. By choosing the right urn, the best cremation options, and by asking lots of questions from the provider, you can be certain to give your loved one a “green” cremation service. You can get started right now by reaching out to a La Porte, IN cremation service provider like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. We are here to offer our suggestions and guidance throughout all aspects of the process of making funerary decisions. You can visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or you can give us a call right now at (219) 362-2828 to learn more about our services and our many options.

How to Choose a Casket

If you have been left in charge of making funerary arrangements for a loved one who wanted to be buried in a traditional manner, you will have to purchase a casket. There are lots of casket options to choose from, so it is not always an easy thing to do. To make the process simpler and to ensure that you find the right casket, funeral homes in La Porte, IN recommend a few things.

It is important to know what kind of budget you have available. There are casket options in different price ranges, so it is necessary to have an idea of how much you have available so that you can start narrowing choices down. If this is something that you are not sure about, take time to do some research into the average cost of the caskets in your area. By doing this, you will be able to not only narrow your choices but also be sure that the company you are buying it from is charging you standard rates.

You will also want to consider the size of casket you need. Not everyone realizes that there are different casket options. There are children ones, of course, but there are also different sizes for adults. If your loved one weighed more than two hundred pounds then they will need a larger casket. This can also be necessary if the person was much taller than average. Be sure to ask the provider about the best size.

You will also want to consider if you need extra features. Some cemeteries, for example, require vaults to keep the earth from collapsing once the casket starts breaking down. If you want linings or any other special features, you need to speak with the provider to see what kind of options they have available.

The material that the casket is made of is something else that you want to consider. Wood caskets and steel caskets are popular, though steel tends to be more expensive. If you are looking for an option that is better for the environment, you will want to choose a casket that does not have any metal parts that will remain in the earth after the casket breaks down. People who are looking for a “green” option tend to stick with all wooden caskets.

These are just some things you need to keep in mind when deciding on the kind of casket that you want to purchase after the death of a loved one. Ask lots of questions from the providers to make certain that you are getting a good rate and that you have all of the features in the casket that you want. If you want to learn more about your options, reach out to a La Porte, IN funeral home like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. You can stop by our location at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or you can give us a call right now at (219) 362-2828.

Preparing for a Home Viewing Before Cremation

It has become a growing trend to prepare a viewing at home before a cremation takes place. There are many reasons for this, including wanting to offer a loved one the kind of individualized and personalized attention that they deserve. If this is something that you are considering and you want to know more about how to prepare for a home viewing, providers of cremation services in La Porte, IN can offer some suggestions to make it easier.

One of the first things that you need to plan is the transportation of the body to the house. Most people who choose to have a home viewing have opted to have the body embalmed, so they will need transportation from the crematorium or funeral home to viewing. This is something that the providers of the cremation services and the funeral homes can offer, some for added fees, while others can include this transport in what you pay. Be sure to ask about this.

Decide in what room the viewing will take place. Some people choose a bedroom, while others prefer a little less intimate setting, like a living room. The room you choose can also depend on the amount of people you expect to come to the viewing and on the size of the space. If the bedroom is too small, then a living room can be the best choice.

You will also want to consider what furniture pieces will need to be moved out of the room. Not everyone realizes how large a casket can be, if you have chosen to have the casket present. Some people choose to place their loved one to rest on a bed, but that is not for everyone. The provider of cremations or the funeral home director will be ready to offer suggestions if you are not sure where to place the body.

You want to decorate the space, too. Adding flowers that your loved one enjoyed is always a beautiful touch and you can even ask guests to bring some themselves. You also want to consider adding images of your loved one, perhaps in a collage, so that people can see the person in many moments of their life. If you want to have music, you can even hire local musicians to provide an intimate viewing that is different from the memorial service that may come after the cremation.

If you want to create a unique experience for honoring your loved one, you will want to consider a home viewing. It is not for everyone, but for many people it can be exactly the right choice. The provider of cremations or the funeral home you hire will always be ready to help you plan this kind of viewing. To learn more about it, contact a La Porte, IN cremation service provider like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. You can stop by our location at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or you can give us a call at (219) 362-2828.

What to Say at a Funeral

Attending a funeral service can be tough for many people, especially those who have never done so before. If you are planning on attending one soon, one of the concerns you may have is about what you should say to the grieving family. By taking some time to read up about this, you can have some idea of what to say. Funeral homes in La Porte, IN also have some suggestions that can make a difference and that can help you to express yourself at the service.

One of the first things that you want to remember is that whatever you say, keep it brief. The family of the person who has died will be grieving and will be stressed. Everyone will want to say something to them and offer condolences, which means that it can be an exhausting process. You can help them by offering condolences and saying whatever else you want to say in a brief manner.

You want to stay away from some clichés as you go up to speak with the grieving family. Letting someone know that their loved one is in a better place, for example, is not something that is comforting for everyone. This sentence can also make people feel as if they should not be sad or in mourning, which is not what you want to convey, either. Stay away from saying that you know exactly how they feel, too. You do not want to take attention away from their own feelings by imposing your own experiences.

One of the best things you can say to someone who is grieving is that you are not sure what to say but that you offer your sympathies. It does not have to be more complicated than that. This kind of honesty will really get your feelings through while also offering comfort to those who need it. It has an authenticity that can make a difference.

It can also be a good idea to share with the family a story or memory that you have about the person who died. Choose something that can let them know just what an impact they made in your life. This can allow the family to know that there are lots of people who are mourning the loss, and this can make them feel less alone with their grief.

It is important to have an idea of what to say to those who are going through a loss. The best thing to do is to keep it simple and short. Most people who are going through mourning do not want to have long conversations on the day of the funeral service. Offer your condolences and let them know what the person meant to you. If you are still not sure about what you should say, you can always reach out to a La Porte, IN funeral home like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. You can visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or you can call us at (219) 362-2828.