If you are considering cremation services in Rolling Prairie, IN, a graveside service is one of your many options for the final disposition of remains. Also known as a committal service, it’s an alternative to traditional burial, perfect for those who want to pay their last respects while also keeping things simple.

Here is how to put a graveside committal service together to honor a cremated loved one.

Select a Location

After deciding on where to inter the remains, find out if your chosen place can accommodate a gathering. Some cemeteries have pavilions where families can gather before or after a service.

If not, you could also ask if there is an area designated for this purpose near where your loved one is to be laid to rest.

If there isn’t one nearby, plan ahead and choose an indoor location such as a funeral home or a similar venue. The service can hold here before everyone goes to pay their final respects at the place of interment.

Choose the Event Details

A graveside service can share several aspects with a typical funeral service. There is no right or wrong way to go about a committal service; it can be simple and short or otherwise. The important thing is how your family would like to honor your loved one and who will handle what.

Do you want songs? Readings? A eulogy? You can have a funeral home arrange the entire service, including officiating. Or you can let a family member or a religious leader lead the proceedings.

Interment

With cremation, you can arrange to bury the urned remains like you would a casket. You would require a cremation plot and, in many cases, an urn vault to protect the integrity of the grave. Check with the cemetery for their specific rules and regulations regarding this.

Alternatively, you can spread cremation ashes in a private or community scattering garden. This is similar to interring cremated remains with soil and seeds or seedlings. The plant that grows thereof then becomes a living memorial to the deceased.

It is a natural method of disposition that is beneficial to the environment.

Another option is to inter cremated remains in a columbarium niche or a mausoleum crypt. These are both above-ground structures for storing the remains of loved ones. However, where the former is primarily for cremation urns, a mausoleum entombs both cremated and non-cremated remains.

You will likely find both structures in the same section of the cemetery, so you can have the committal service and then lay the deceased to rest afterward.

To Conclude

Organizing a graveside service can seem like a lot. Nonetheless, with the help of a capable funeral director, the onus of arrangements wouldn’t be on you.

With our Rolling Prairie, IN, cremation service, you tell us what you want and where, and we will do our best to make it happen. Call us today or visit us anytime to let us know how we can help.

As providers of cremation services in Michigan City, IN. we often have requests to add personal items in the cremation container with the family’s loved one. While this can be a lovely idea and we can often times fulfill this request, there are certain times we are unable to add the items requested. If you are considering adding items in either with your own cremation or a loved one’s, here is what you need to know.

Why are Some Items Not Allowed?

Many times families may not understand why some items are allowed and others are not. The reason is that any items that could damage the environment or pose a safety risk when heated up are simply not permitted. These items include:

• Pacemakers
• Anything combustible such as lighters or bottles of alcohol
• Any item that contains a battery
• Jars or containers made from plastic or glass
• Anything made from materials that have been treated such as latex, vinyl, or leather

Items You Can Include in Cremation

Although there are quite a few items not permitted to be cremated with your loved one, there are several options of items that can be included. These are items such as:

• Letters– If your loved one had any letters they held onto, such as love letters, these can be added in the cremation container with them. These letters can also include any special notes or letters saying goodbye written to the loved one from their friends and family.
• Flowers– Flowers are a permitted item and can include fresh bouquet or dried flowers that were kept from a special event such as an anniversary, wedding, or special birthday.
• Photographs- Many families may wish to include photos of their loved one’s favorite moments such as them enjoying their favorite hobby or photos of friends and family.
• Blankets– Adding a blanket can be a nice touch as it can represent keeping their loved one safe.
• Toys– Many toys are allowed such as stuffed animals and can make a comforting and sweet addition.
• Other cremains– Many families may not realize it, but you can have cremated remains from another family member added. This combines their ashes with the deceased and joins them as one. This can be fitting for a spouse or parent.
• Religious items – Many religions permit cremation and items that can be added include thinks like prayer beads and scriptures.

A Note About Jewelry

While it is possible to have pieces of jewelry cremated with your loved one, it is important to know that it does not break down the same way. This means that, once cremated, the metal from the jewelry will be separated from the ashes. It will be melted and misshapen and often times donated to charity if the family does not wish to have it back. Due to this, if there is a piece of jewelry that is special to you or your family, it may be better not to add it in so you can keep in tact for future generations.

If you would like to know more about what can and cannot be included in cremation services in Michigan City, IN., give us a call anytime as we are always here to help for any services needed.  Visit our location now.

As we get older it seems we appreciate our parents more and more. This can make it that much more difficult to ever imagine them not being around. Unfortunately we know that this will happen eventually and if we can do things now to prepare, it can make it a bit easier when the time comes. Other than helping them preplan their burial or cremation services in South Bend, IN. there are several other things you can do.

Some of these include making sure their affairs are in order and that they have important documents completed such as a will and medical end-of-life directives. One thing that many people may not think of, but often regret later, is simply talking with their parent and asking them questions about their life.

Talking to your parent and asking them questions about their childhood, friends, passions, regrets, and dreams can help you see them more as a person and not just your parent. It can give you a chance to have an open dialogue and learn new things about them. You can even record this time so you can have it as a wonderful video to look back on when they are gone.

If you need help getting the conversation started, here are 25 questions you should ask your parents before they pass.

Questions About Their Childhood

1. What did you love about your childhood?
2. Who was your best friend?
3. Did you have any hobbies?
4. What was your favorite book?
5. What type of music did you enjoy?
6. What were you like as a child?
7. What was your favorite subject in school?
8. Did you pay any sports?
9. Did you have a family pet?
10. What is a favorite memory?
11. Did you have a favorite vacation?
12. What is something you are most proud of as a child?
13. What was your family dynamic like?
14. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
15. Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend?

General Questions About Life

16. Do you have any regrets?
17. What advice would you tell your younger self?
18. Has there been someone who has played an important role in your life? Who are they and how did they affect you?
19. Do you have any life-changing moments?
20. What is something you did that scared you but you did it anyway?
21. How do you feel happiness should be defined?
22. What do you think are the most important things in life are?
23. What has been your proudest moment.
24. What advice would you give to others?
25. Do you have any dreams you want to accomplish?

These questions should give you a great start to learning more about your parents. You can also ask questions that pertain to their final wishes and burial or cremation services in South Bend, IN. to ensure things get taken care of properly. Also, as you talk to your parents, follow their lead. They may answer one question only to remember a funny story or other memory they want to talk about; let them. The goal isn’t to get through all the questions, but rather learn more about your parents as people. Were ready to help.

After a loved one’s cremation services in South Bend, IN. deciding on their final resting spot can be challenging. While you may want to keep the remains in an urn close to you in your home, there are times when this may not be the best option.

For example, if you have other family members who wish to visit the remains, if can be inconvenient for you as well as them trying to arrange times and dates that will work. Because of this, having the remains in a general location where everyone has access to them freely can be important to many families. Luckily, there are wonderful options that allow for this.

Columbarium

One place to keep your loved one’s remains is in a columbarium. These are structures that are either stand alone or part of another building and can be found in churches, cremation gardens, as well as cemeteries.

A columbarium is made up of induvial spaces called “niches”. These individual niches is what will house the urn with your loved one’s remains. Some niches include a small plaque or other marker that can be engraved with your loved one’s name as well as a short poem or epitaph.

There are also glass front niches that typically don’t have a marker, but allow the contents of the niche to be viewed. This is nice because it can allow families to add small mementos or photos to be on display with the urn.

Keeping your loved one’s remains in a columbarium has many benefits, one being that it provides a general location any and all family members can visit. It also provides a peaceful spot for reflection as many columbariums are in settings with flowers, sitting areas, water features and more.

Burial Plot

Another option for families is to bury their loved one’s remains. This is the same as a casket burial expect the space is specific for an urn. These burial plots can be found in cemeteries and many cremation gardens.

An advantage to this that many families enjoy is that it gives the opportunity for your loved one to have a headstone or maker rather then just a plaque as with a columbarium. With headstones being available in so many materials, colors, and designs, families can choose a perfect memorial meals for their loved one.

Scattering Garden

If your loved one wished to have their remains scattered, a scattering garden can be a wonderful option. These gardens can be found as part of larger cremation gardens or by themselves. These gardens are created with the sole purpose of allowing families to release their loved one’s ashes upon it. They typically contain the garden areas as well as benches and other areas to sit and reflect.

While some families would like to keep their loved one’s remains close to them in their home, there are some situations where that may not be the best option. If you would like to learn more about these options or cremation services in South Bend, IN. feel free to contact us anytime as we are always here to help that’s why our customer choose us.

With more people choosing cremation services in Rolling Prairie, IN, celebration of life events are also becoming more popular and widely known. While this is a not as common of a choice as a traditional memorial service, many families are opting for this more celebratory service for their loved one. If you are curious about this type of celebration or what sets it apart for other services, keep reading.

What is a Celebration of Life Event?

As the name suggests, a celebration of life event, is just that; a celebration. It is a fun, joyous, uplifting event that celebrates the deceased’s life. You will find guests visiting with one another and sharing memories and favorite stories about the deceased.

Unlike a more traditional memorial service that has a quiet, solemn atmosphere, celebration of life events may be loud and boisterous. You will see people smiling and probably hear laughter. It is a more festive environment of remembrance.

When Are Celebration of Life Events Held?

Just as with memorial services, celebration of life events are held after the cremation of the body. Exactly when the event is held is entirely up to the family. Some families may wish to hold it soon after while others may wait weeks, a month, or even longer. With more time to plan the event, it allows for more flexibility and the ability to truly arrange the perfect celebration.

Where are Celebration of Life Events Held?

The wonderful thing about these events is that they can be held in any location the family wishes. Since these events are a little more unconventional they do not have to confirm with any “social norms” as other types of services typically do.

With this freedom, you can find these events being held in not only funeral homes and churches, but also in parks, campgrounds, restaurants, sports bars, sports stadiums, golf courses, and more.

Is There a Format to Follow?

While you may find some celebration of life events having elements from other services such as a welcome/introduction, reading or poems, eulogies given, or more, there is no specific format to follow. This means families can include what they want and leave out what they don’t. It also means that families may choose to have no format at all and have the event feel more like a full blown party. Or it may be a mix between the two.

Final Thoughts

While some families may prefer a more traditional memorial service, celebration of life events appeal to many families as well. This type of service is becoming more popular as people are appreciating another way to honor and remember their loved one. With these events being more joyful they can provide a much needed happier and therapeutic way to remember and pay tribute to your loved one.

If you would like more information about these events or cremation services in Rolling Prairie, IN, feel free to give us a call or come by and visit with our caring and knowledgeable staff anytime for your pre-arrangement need.

When most people think of the cremation process, they may envision what is known as “direct cremation”. This process is simple with no services held before the body being is cremated and the remains being given to the family. While this is one option of cremation services in Michigan City, IN., it is not the only option. If you are preplanning your cremation or making arrangements for a loved one, you might be surprised to find out you can hold services before the cremation just as you can with a burial.

These services include visitations, viewings and funeral services. We are going to look at what each of these events are and how they work with cremation to help you decide which, if any, you would like to hold.

Visitations and Viewings

These services are all very similar with only one difference. With a visitation the body of the deceased is typically not present, and with a visitation, it is.

Both events are casual and a come-and-go style meaning that guests arrive and leave as they wish. There is no set format, but rather a time to mingle and talk with other guests as well as the family. There may be refreshments served such as cookies and punch or other light snacks.

If the body is present, it will be in casket and normally, the top portion will be open so that guests can see their loved one. This provides an opportunity for people to approach the casket and say their good-byes.

With a cremation, families have the option to rent a casket for this service. With this option, the cremation container (the container the body will be cremated in) will be placed inside the casket for the viewing. When it’s time, the cremation container and the body will be removed from the casket and the lining of the casket will then be replaced for reuse.

Because of the cost of the service as well as the expense of the rental casket, the overall cost of the cremation package will be higher. Also, if the body will be present, additional services such as embalming will need to be preformed also increasing the cost.

Funeral Services

For many families, holding a funeral service is important. These services tend to be more religious in nature and follow a predetermined format. The format typically includes:

• Welcome / Introduction
• Opening prayer
• Music Selection / Hymns
• Reading of the Obituary
• Eulogy
• Thank you and Acknowledgements

With a funeral service, the body is displayed in a casket in the front of the room. Because of this, the body will need to be prepared and embalmed. This is the same whether it is for a ground burial or cremation. The only difference is that, for a burial, the body will be taken to the cemetery after the services, and for cremation, it will be taken to the crematory.

You can see that with cremation services in Michigan City, IN., you have several options. You could choose to have a very simple, no frills direct cremation, or add any service beforehand just like with a ground burial. To learn more, call or come by anytime as we are happy to discuss all the options available.  Speak to one of our experts.

With more families choosing cremation services in South Bend, IN., there are more people keeping cremation urns in their home. Although there are several materials these urns can be made from, a popular option is the glass urn. This may be because these urns come in a variety of beautiful colors and designs and can add to the aesthetic of any room. If you are choosing a glass urn for your loved one’s remains, here are some tips for the placement, design, and cleaning of your urn.

Where to Place Your Glass Urn

The first thing to decide is what room or area of your home you would like to display your glass urn. Some people may choose to display the urn where guests can see it when visiting and yet other families might rather have the urn in a more private area or room. There is no right or worn here as this is just a personal preference.

Once you have the room selected, you want to make sure the urn is placed on a shelf or other spot that is secure and out of the way of things like pets or children. Since this is glass, it is obviously very delicate and needs to be kept away from busy, high-traffic areas.

Design of the Urn and Home Décor

With glass urns being available in so many colors, shapes and designs, there is an urn to match or compliment just about any home décor. Look at the room and space the urn will be placed and opt for something that will look cohesive with that space. It doesn’t have to match exactly, but by working to have it compliment at least the style of the room can help it not look odd and completely out of place.

Create a Memorial Space with Your Glass Urn

If you would like to make more of a statement with your glass urn, consider creating a memorial space around it. This could include adding trinkets such as awards or medals, favorite photographs, or other special items on the shelf or space around the urn.

How to Clean Your Glass Urn

Keeping your glass urn looking like new is easy. To dust it, simply use a soft dry cloth and wipe the urn off. Depending on your household you may need to do this once or twice a week, or just a couple of times per month. To get a deeper clean, you can use an all-natural glass cleaner and soft cloth. You can also use water to clean the urn, but because water can cause staining, always make sure you wipe the urn completely dry with a soft dry cloth.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your loved one close to you after their cremation services in South Bend, IN., can bring a sense of comfort and peace. Glass urns are a lovely way to do this since they also add an elegance and beauty to any space. Making sure your glass urn is in a secure, out of the way spot, and cleaning it regularly and properly will ensure your urn lasts for years to come. Visit our location now or check our services.

Grieving is a natural process and it’s what we all have to endure when we lose someone close to us. While we may go through it in different stages and in different ways, the goal is to make sure we get through it in a healthy way. One of those ways is through journaling. If you are having a difficult time after you loved one’s cremation services in Rolling Prairie, IN., we encourage you to try this activity. If you aren’t sure how, keep reading.

Why Journaling?

Journaling has been proven to help people work through things like depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. There is something very therapeutic about getting your thoughts out of your head and down onto paper.

It is also a nice option for those who may be more hesitant to share thoughts publicly such as talking in a group or with a therapist. Since your journal is for your eyes only, you can feel freer to express yourself and your true feelings.

What You Need

The wonderful thing about journaling is that it doesn’t require anything fancy. All you need is some paper or a notebook and a pen or pencil. You might be tempted to keep a journal on your smartphone or laptop, and if that is the only way you will write, then okay. However, it is suggested that you physically write your thoughts out instead.

When you use your hand and actually write out your thoughts you connect with them in a different way. If you would like to see how this works, try it yourself by writing in a paper journal one day, and on a laptop the next. We bet you can feel a difference.

What To Write

When you start to journal, you my just look at the blank page and have no idea what to write. This is okay and normal. The good news is that there is no right or wrong way to do this. If you need some inspiration, you could start with writing about:

• A favorite memory you have with your loved one
• Things you would like to say to them
• Something that you makes you smile when you think of them

If you are still stuck on what to write, don’t write at all. Draw, doodle, make a bulleted list. There are no rules on how to get your thoughts out. Just let go and allow yourself the freedom to express them however you wish.

Helpful Tips

When you are writing, let go of judgement. Don’t’ stop yourself from writing or drawing something because of what you think about it or what someone else might think about it. This journal is just for you so let go of any judgement and let yourself be free to express whatever you are feeling.

Try and write often. If you can find some time each day to write, that is ideal. You may find that if you do it at the same time each day, it is easier to keep up with and it becomes a habit.

Grieving after a loved one’s cremation services in Rolling Prairie, IN., is difficult. While journaling can’t make the feelings of loss and sadness disappear, it can help you manage these feelings in a heathy way or through grief support. Reach out to us now.

If you are planning a memorial event after a loved one’s cremation services in Michigan City, IN., there are some things you will need, one of which is a memorial program. While creating a program is not difficult, there are certain things that need to be included as well as a typical format they then to follow. To help ensure you print a great program, we are going to outline the format as well as share some tips and tricks to make the process easy as well as grief support.

Program Size

Although some memorial programs may be just one page and be single or double-sided, most consist of two to four pages. When it has multiple pages, the dimensions are typically 5 ½ X 8 ½ inches. This can be created by taking a normal sheet of copy paper that is 8 ½ X 11, turning it to landscape to print and then folding it in half.

Outline of Program

While you can certainly design the program in anyway you wish, there is a typical order and flow that most follow. This consists of:

Front Cover- This is where you will display a photograph of the deceased. This could be one strong image or a collage of several images. It could even be an image of something else entirely such as a sunset or ocean scene. You will also want to include their full name, date of birth and death, and date and location of service.

Inside Left Page– On this page, you will list the order and details of the service. This will look something like

• Welcome and Introduction: (Name of who is giving the remarks)
• Eulogy (Name of person scheduled to give the eulogy)
• And so on

Inside Right Page– This page will consist of the obituary. This can be the official obituary that was previously published, or a new one can be written.

Back Cover– On the back cover you typically find a meaningful poem or passage, list of pallbearers, as well as any special mentions they family would like to add. These may include things like, “The family wishes to say a very special thank you to all the nurses at General hospital”.

Design Tips

You want the program to have the right format and information, but you also want it to look good. When designing the program, keeping things in mind like color combinations and font choices can go a long way in making sure your program comes across tasteful and elegant.

For example, using a font that looks messy or cartoonish can really be off-putting. Also, using colors that clash or having words on a dark background can make things difficult to read. While you can add some creativity to the program, just make sure to do so in a way that it doesn’t distract from its purpose.

Another word of advice is to always get a second opinion. It’s always nice to have a second pair of eyes to double check things like making sure names are spelled correctly or the elements of the service are listed in the correct order.

When you are making your program for the service following a loved one’s cremation services in Michigan City, IN., follow these steps and you will have a program the guests will love see our caregiver award.

When planning cremation services in South Bend, IN., direct cremation will be one of the options you can choose. While this option can be a great choice for many families, if you are not familiar with it, you may not be sure if it’s right for your family. Let’s look at this option a little more and see if it may be right for you and your loved one.

What is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation, also called simple cremation, is the basic form of cremation and typically the most economical. The process is simple and speedy and follows this format:

• The body is collected by the cremation provider
• They will keep your loved one in an area that is climate controlled
• All paperwork and permits are filled out and filed
• The cremation will then take place
• The remains will be retuned to the family in an urn that is typically plastic or cardboard

Why Choose Direct Cremation?

Many families choose direct cremation for several different reasons. A few of the advantages of direct cremation they may be drawn to include:

• More Economical– With direct cremation being simple and straightforward, there are less expenses than there would be with other options of cremation packages or funeral burials. This makes it a wonderful option for those on a fixed budget or who would rather spend more of the budget on a memorial service.
• Simple and Fast – Many families like the simplicity of the direct cremation process. The family may already be feeling overwhelmed with everything else they must take care of. Having an easy and simple process helps ease some of that stress. Also, since this process is simple it tends to be move more quickly than some other options.
• Provides More Flexibility– If a family would like more time to plan a memorial, celebration of life, or any other type of service, direct cremation allows more time to do so. Since the service can be planned for further out, it allows more time and flexibility to plan the perfect service.
• Can Start the Healing Process– Some families wish to have the cremation finalized quickly because it will help them find closure faster. With direct cremation typically being the speediest option, this is a good choice for them.

Things to Consider

If you are considering cremation services for your loved one, whether it’s direct cremation or another option, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. First, did your loved one have any last wishes that were for or against cremation? Did they state what they would like to happen to their body after their death?

Also, it’s important to take into account the religious beliefs of your loved one. Many religions have very clear opinions and thoughts on cremation. If you are unsure if cremation is allowed or not, check with any appropriate religious leaders.

Final Thoughts

When you are deciding on cremation services in South Bend, IN. for your loved one, direct cremation may be a good option. Knowing what this option entails, the advantages it can provide and talking it over with other family members can help you decide if it is the right choice. Call us now and see why many people choose us.