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How to Pre-Arrange a Cremation?

Prearranging cremation with your loved ones or as a member of a cremation society enables you to communicate your ultimate intentions to your family, which is a selfless deed during their time of need. By writing these wishes, you are helping family members and funeral and cremation service providers in ensuring that they are fully and appropriately carried out. It is reassuring to know that decisions have already been taken prior to the time of need, since the events before, occurring during, and following the death of a loved one can be stressful for all involved parties. We, at cremation Services in Bellevue, WA, want to help you and your family in time of need as well, that is why we also offer this type of service for our customers.

And now, here are the following steps you can follow in prearranging a cremation:

Choose a Cremation Provider. The first step in prearrangement is selecting a cremation service provider you can rely on, who is trustworthy and capable of carrying out your preferences. Compile a list of questions and concerns to ask the provider with your spouse or family.
Know your options. Prearrangement allows you to learn about your options in a stress-free setting and to deliberate about these selections. You will have complete authority and can choose and specify the services that are meaningful to you and your family.
Wishes require proper documentation. Preplanning guarantees your wishes will be carried out. Ensure that your wishes are documented in writing and discussed with your family and an attorney. Maintain a folder with copies of this document and other essential paperwork in an easily accessible location for family members.
Engage the rest family members. Prearrangement is a great time for relatives to discuss preparations and make objective decisions together, free of the time constraints and emotional stress that frequently accompany the death of a loved one. Including your loved one’s closest family and friends in this process might bring you peace of mind and a sense of relief.
Determine the final disposition method. This is a highly personal choice affected by a person’s faith and views. This is really important and you have the authority to choose what will be the final disposition that you want.
Don’t hesitate to ask about rates. Costs for cremation might vary significantly from location to location. Choose a funeral home that provides its rates in a clear and straightforward manner, and request a detailed price list of its products and services.
Consider preparing ahead and prepaying for services. Arranging a cremation service in advance can settle the details, but only prepayment can cover the actual expense in advance. Have in mind that these services are subject to inflation. Prepayment makes good financial sense since it locks in current costs for an event that may not occur for years.

If you’re looking for an expert that can help you with the pre-arrangements, our cremation Services in Bellevue, WA is here for you. Please contact us whenever you are ready and we will be there to assist you.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Celebration of Life

The purpose of a celebration of life, memorial service, burial, or other ceremony, despite their differences, is to allow those whose lives the deceased affected in large and small ways to express their respect and celebrate their memory. They also serve as a crucial phase in the grieving process, enabling the bereaved to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of their deceased loved one, as well as gain the support and companionship of others. Our funeral homes in Bellevue, WA also offer a celebration of life service.

Indeed, the most remarkable celebrations are extremely meaningful and capture the departed’s unique life and personality. With that, here’s how to plan a life celebration for your loved one.

1. Timing

A memorial or celebration of life can be held at any time after a person’s passing. You may opt to make preparations quickly, but waiting several weeks or even months is also fine. It can be tough to make decisions quickly following a significant loss; by arranging the event several months in advance, you can solicit the assistance of others or even hire a professional planner.

2. Type of Service

Choose the type of ceremony you wish to hold. Depending on the disposition of the remains, a number of event planning options are available.

3. Guests to Invite

After you’ve decided on the type of service and time of the event, it’s a good idea to create an invitation list. Consider first your immediate family, then your more distant relatives. Next, create a list of friends, and not just current pals; include friends from childhood, school, different occupations, and various locales.

4. Venue/Location

Fortunately in a celebration of life, you can also choose the place where the celebration will be held. So, you can decide where the life celebration will take place.

5. Readings and Readers

You may choose religious prayers, readings, poems, quotes, personal writings, or song lyrics that were meaningful to the deceased. Afterward, pick the reader or readers who will offer the documents.

6. Eulogist / Speakers

If you prefer to have a eulogy, you must select the writer and speaker.

7. Music

Pick songs, hymns, and other musical works that the deceased appreciated or that have special importance.

8. Food & Beverage

Food and beverage options include do-it-yourself (with the assistance of friends and family) preparation, hiring a caterer, or the venue’s full-service food and beverage service.

9. Photographer / Camera Operator

You may want to photograph or record the celebration in order to save the memories for years to come. You can assign this task to a family member or close friend, or you can hire a professional photographer.

10. Flowers & Memorials

Traditionally, people express their grief by sending flowers. Still, it is common for families to request memorial donations rather than flowers. You can say in the obituary, on social media, and on event invitations whether flowers or memorials are preferred, or if both are acceptable.

As you noticed all the decision-making will be yours to make when you choose a celebration of life. Now, if you need assistance and still have questions to ask, reach our company of funeral homes in Bellevue, WA.

What Is a Green Cremation Service?

Green cremation is an environmentally friendly type of cremation that reduces a deceased person’s body to skeletal remains. It is also known as a “water cremation” or a “hydro cremation” in the funeral business since extremely hot water and potassium hydroxide are used to complete the process rather than fire. Good thing, a company of cremation services at Tukwila, WA offers green services that you might also be looking for, with that, anytime you can check our website. The Department of Anatomy at the Mayo Clinic has been utilizing alkaline hydrolysis, sometimes known as resomation, as a means of the final disposition of the deceased’s body.

Surely, after you understand what a green cremation is and how the process works, you can make an informed decision as to whether you or a loved one would consider it.

The Process of Alkaline Hydrolysis Cremation:

According to the Cremation Institute, this is what occurs during the cremation of this type.

First, the deceased person’s body is wrapped in natural material, generally a silk robe, and placed in a stainless-steel chamber within a resonator unit machine.
Next, the machine is then filled with approximately 80% gallons of a solution consisting of 95% percent water and 5% percent potassium hydroxide. After weighing the body, the machine determines the exact amount of solution required.
Then, the unit is subsequently compressed and the water is heated to roughly 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This eliminates any current microorganisms and dissolves the remaining soft tissue.
Afterward, the machine then undergoes a rinse cycle, the residual liquid is emptied into a separate holding tank, and primarily bone pieces remain.
Last but not least, the fragments are examined for non-natural components, such as dental fillings and medical implants. The fragments are then dried and ground into a fine, white powder that, like other cremains, can be deposited in an appropriate container or urn.

Where Is Bio Cremation Authorized?

In the United States, bio-cremation is permissible in some states but not others. Even in states where this sort of cremation is allowed, facilities may not yet be available to carry it out. Thus, you should research the laws in your state.

If you, as consumers keep looking for environmentally safe alternatives, acceptance of the technique will grow. Yet, the industry is reluctant to adapt, so for many people, traditional cremation is the only alternative.

Green cremation could become the norm in the future due to a lack of available land for traditional graves and increased concern for the environment. Find out if it is offered in your community and have a conversation with your loved ones if it is. Then you and your loved ones can decide if it’s the right decision. Truly, with green cremation, we return to the ground through the natural cycle of life, so assisting in the development of new life as nature intended.

If you have more questions and want additional details about green cremation or other services, do not hesitate to reach out or contact our cremation services at Tukwila, WA. Our staff will be there to guide you.

An In-Depth to Your Burial Options

It is difficult to consider the passing of a loved one, but it is vital to be prepared. When planning a burial for a loved one, there are many factors to consider, but the most important is to find a manner to say goodbye that feels right for you and your family. It might be challenging to choose the type of burial for yourself or a loved one. Throughout history, individuals from a wide range of societies have honored the dead by burying or cremating them. Today, however, there are numerous options for burials. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of four types of burials so that you may make the best option for yourself or a loved one. Our company of funeral homes near Tukwila, WA also offers services and has many burial options.

Natural Burial

Green burials are frequently confused with natural burials. Despite their differences, they both decompose naturally without the need for embalming fluid, a coffin, or a burial vault. Instead, the deceased’s body is buried immediately in the ground. This burial option has minimal to no environmental impact. Some individuals may opt to be interred in biodegradable caskets, which are typically composed of bamboo, hemp, wool, felt, cotton, cork, teak, willow, rattan, seagrass, leaves, recycled cardboard, or other “low impact” materials. Green funerals occur in cemeteries that do not employ synthetic pesticides.

In-Ground Burial

This traditional type of burial typically requires a casket and includes some form of memorial homage to the deceased. The body of the departed is placed in a metal or wooden casket, which is then lowered into a dug spot and covered with soil. Although caskets, headstones, and accessories can be purchased separately, many families opt to purchase them all at once to save money in the long run. A burial service may accompany an in-ground burial to honor the deceased’s last resting place and offer family and friends a sense of closure.

Burial Above Ground

There are various types of above-ground burials, but lawn crypts and public or private mausoleums are the most common. Lawn crypts combine numerous advantages of mausoleum interment with the time-honored custom of in-ground burials. Mausoleums, on the other hand, provide clean and dry confines that are secure. If the additional prestige of being buried within a structured appeal to you, a mausoleum may be the best option. Alternatively, if the idea of being interred close to a loved one appeal to you, a lawn crypt may be your best option.

Cremation

Cremation has recently eclipsed burial as the most preferred last disposition option. The corpse is exposed to temperatures between 1,400 and 1,800°F. This kind of heat will convert the body to ash and shattered bones. The majority of families choose to scatter or preserve cremated ashes following the funeral service. Cremation is becoming increasingly popular since it is typically less expensive and utilizes fewer resources than other methods of interment.

Death, as devastating as it may be, is a normal and inevitable part of life. When a loved one dies, it is essential to select a burial option that is suitable for them and your family. There are lots of options, and each works differently.

And, we at funeral homes near Tukwila, WA are here as well to show and introduce you to the different services that we have. So, feel free to contact us anytime.

Which is Best? Cremation or Burial

Cremation has overtaken burial as the most common method of final disposition because of its rapid rise in popularity over the past several years. Although the decision between burial and cremation is extremely personal, however, when making the decision, it is necessary to take into consideration several factors. Before that, did you know that there is a cremation service in West Seattle, WA that offers both burial and cremation services? Well, our company offers not only burial and cremation services but a lot more.

For now, let’s move on to the various elements to consider when you are in the middle of deciding between burial or cremation service:

The big differences between burial and cremation service

Let’s explore the differences and distinctions between cremation and burial to start. When a body is cremated, it is burnt until only ashes remain. With burial, the body is preserved. Both cremation and burial can occur soon after a person’s death, either after a typical funeral service or before a memorial service. The body may be buried in the ground or entombed in a mausoleum in the case of a burial. In contrast, cremated remains may be kept by the family, scattered, buried, or placed in a columbarium. In general, cremation is the more cost-effective option.

Respect the remains.

When we chat with people who are considering between burial and cremation, a few recurring themes and questions arise. The desire to honor the deceased’s memory and, by extension, their body is one of the most frequently voiced concerns. It is noteworthy to note, however, that for some people, this entails preserving the body’s integrity, whereas, for others, the idea of letting the remains decompose underground is unthinkable. In many cultures and religions, viewing the body is a crucial aspect of the funeral ceremony. Numerous individuals erroneously believe that this is impossible if cremation is chosen. In reality, it is rather normal for a viewing to occur before cremation.

Religious Faith/Beliefs

Christian opinions on cremation vary. The Catholic Church banned cremation until the 1960s. However, the cremated remains must be interred, not scattered or carried home by survivors. Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, and Lutheran churches allow cremation, although Baptist, conservative, and Eastern Orthodox churches do not. Some Jews now accept cremation. Hinduism and Buddhism mandate cremation. Culturally, Sikhs favor cremation; however, burial is allowed. Muslims cannot cremate.

Environmental Impact

Both burial and cremation have environmental pros and cons. Both sides argue over which option is greener. Some say cremation releases a lot of pollutants, while others say it’s greener because traditional caskets aren’t biodegradable and embalming fluids are poisonous. The popularity of natural burials, sometimes known as eco-burials, has been on the rise in recent years. Burials in this style use biodegradable, compostable coffins and never include the use of embalming substances.

It is a tough and deeply personal choice between burial and cremation. If you are still having difficulty with it, you may want to address it with your family or other loved ones. Additionally, you can seek the support and advice of a funeral director on our cremation services in West Seattle, WA. We will guide you as much as we can.

How to Make Funeral Meaningful?

Have you ever been to a funeral that made you feel like you know the departed on a deeper level than you did before the service? You were given a glimpse into who the departed loved one was as well as the things that were most important to them because every aspect of the memorial was meticulously crafted to reflect the life of the person who has passed away. A funeral home in West Seattle, WA are offering many services such as traditional and simple funeral services, and many more. And, here to give you ideas on how to make funeral even more meaningful.

But note that, meaningful funerals do not just happen. They are well-planned rituals that demand your attention and time for at least two days. However, you may feel less burdened by the planning if you remember that the effort you expend now to design a personalized, inclusive ceremony will help you, your family, and other mourners embark on healthy, healing grief journeys. This list is intended to assist you in planning a funeral that will be meaningful to you and your loved ones.

Choose items that reflect the life and character of the deceased.

There are elements of the ceremony that you will want to customize. You may consider the music, readings, keepsakes, movies, color, flowers, cuisine, and venue. All of these aspects can be customized to produce an innovative and meaningful service. For an instance, nature-lover may be remembered on a beach, in a park, a garden, by a lake, or in the mountains, and more. There are numerous ways to create a one-of-a-kind funeral service.

Discover ways to embrace the beauty of life.

A healing ritual gives friends and family a sense of hope in the middle of sadness and anguish. Peace is brought to people who are grieving by the time spent planning details and honoring the deceased’s legacy. Additionally, kids may struggle with saying goodbye. Encourage children to make an image that can be placed on the casket or memorial table. Even in a moment of loss, a ceremony honoring the deceased displays the beauty of life and reinforces the significance of their life on earth.

Encourage people to attend and make their own contributions to the funeral service.

Grief and loss are fresh and real for those closest to the deceased loved one. The funeral ceremony is the beginning of the healing process since it enables mourners to accept the truth of the death. The presence of those who are also grieving might provide solace to those who have suffered a loss. Sharing supportive words, reminiscing memories, writing letters/cards of condolence, or simply spending quality time with the bereaved might help in bringing closure. The path to recovery is not quick nor easy, but a meaningful tribute with many loved ones present can reassure the family that they are not alone.

It is vital to understand the balance between the deceased’s wishes and the family’s requirements. Choose options that are meaningful to you, and they will be appreciated and respected by your loved ones.

Finally, to learn more and if you want additional details about funerals, please don’t be shy to contact us or you can simply go to our funeral home in West Seattle, WA. So, we can fully guide you.

What Should I Know Before Deciding on Cremation?

Whether you’re arranging a funeral now or considering your options for the future, cremation or burial should be a primary consideration. You’ve definitely heard of cremation, but you may have questions about its details. How does cremation work? What does it mean to choose it for a loved one or for yourself? Would cremation be the most suitable choice for you? After choosing cremation, what other decisions will you need to make? There are a variety of questions that may arise, so continue reading to learn more. Anyway, our cremation services near Bellevue, WA are also here to help you out.

What exactly is cremation?

In simple terms, cremation is one way to dispose of a deceased person’s body. Cremation is typically less expensive than a regular burial, which contributes to its rising popularity worldwide. Unlike burial, in which the deceased is placed in a casket or coffin and buried in the ground or housed in a mausoleum, cremation involves the transformation of the deceased’s bones into ashes using a fire- or liquid-based procedure.

How cremation works?

High temperatures and evaporation reduce a body to its basic elements in cremation. Cremation reduces the body to bone fragments by heating and burning it in a specific container. The residues are converted into ash-like ash after cooling. Then, the family receives the cremated remains, which weigh 3-7 pounds, in an urn or temporary container. Subsequently, they have an option for memorialization.

How long does cremation take?

On average, a cremation takes roughly three hours. This is just an estimate, and actual cremation procedures may differ depending on the service provider and other factors.

What are things to consider when choosing between burial or cremation?

It is a personal decision to choose between burial and cremation. Consider the following factors while determining whether cremation is the best choice.

Respecting the individual. If you are making this decision on behalf of a deceased person who did not leave directions, consider what they would have preferred.

Respecting the living. If you’re planning for yourself, you may select cremation for a number of reasons, including that you want your ashes to be scattered or stored with family so that they do not have to visit a cemetery. If you are planning for a loved one and they have not given specific instructions, it is not selfish at all to consider your own preferences and requirements.

Respecting the environment. You may believe that burial is more environmentally friendly than cremation, however this is not always the case. Cremation costs a great deal of energy and does release chemicals into the environment, but many experts believe it is a more environmentally-friendly option than, for example, embalming and traditional burial.

Respecting religious beliefs. If religion is a significant part, it should be considered prior to selecting cremation, as certain religious traditions have strong beliefs about the subject.

What if cremation isn’t right for me?

The concept of cremation may not be acceptable to all people. If this is the case, there are a number of burial choices that can be made in advance to guarantee that your intentions are followed through.

Are you still in dilemma? Contact us or visit our cremation services near Bellevue, WA, so we can assist you with everything that you need and want to ask.

Everything You Need to Know About Burial

One thing that is consistent throughout many different cultures’ burial practices is the belief that it is necessary to provide a last resting place for departed loved ones in order to properly honor and remember them. So burial is one of our ways to commemorate our departed loved ones. Good thing our funeral homes in Bellevue, WA also provides burial service and options if you’re looking for one. Yet, before that, it is also essential to be knowledgeable about burial when you’re planning to hold it. That is why in this blog post, learn more about what burial entails and include in it as you read.

What does traditional burial entail?

In most cases, funeral homes or services that provide traditional burial will offer a full-service option for their clients. This option typically includes fees for the funeral director and staff, transportation of the body, embalming, burial containers such as casket and vault, locations for a visitation or viewing, arrangements for memorial or funeral services, graveside services, opening-and-closing costs (gravesite preparation, back-filling, and landscaping), and the hearse and other necessary vehicles.

The cost of a cemetery lot or crypt, the permanent upkeep of the gravesite that is sometimes thrown onto the total cost of a lot, a grave liner if it is necessary, and the grave marker, monument, or headstone may also be included in the financial arrangements which could also have installation fee.

Now, you also have to know your options for burial. Depending on your preferences and how much money you have available, there is a wide range of options available for burial. Here are some of the burial options that you need to take note of:

Cemetery Property Options

Before investing in cemetery property, you should make it a point to conduct some background study on the local cemeteries to establish which of the available possibilities are the most suitable for your needs.

Private cemetery – private land designated as a cemetery where lots or burial sites are not offered for sale to the general public.

Public cemetery – a cemetery that sells burial plots to the general public, whether it be privately owned or owned by a municipality.

State or national cemetery – for veterans and their families, the government maintains a cemetery where burial is inexpensive or free of charge.

Casket Choices

Caskets are available in a variety of materials and at different prices. The choice of a casket is entirely up to you and your family. Modern caskets are usually made of wood or metal and lined with various types of the interior fabric. The cost is usually determined by the materials used in construction. Some caskets (typically made of metal) are intended to withstand the elements, whereas others, such as those used in green burials (made of hemp, wicker, and other biodegradable materials), are intended to aid in the decomposition process.

It is really important to have a little knowledge about burial if you’re planning to have one. If you have more questions aside from the things mentioned above, then reach to us at our funeral homes in Bellevue, WA. We will be ready to assist you.

Why You Should Choose a Celebration of Life?

As time goes by, celebration of life is becoming even more popular as an alternative to the traditional funeral and burial services and customs. A lot of families desire a service that honors the life of their loved one. And so, a life was celebrated to commemorate a loved who departed in a unique way. It helps grieving family members and friends support one another and cope with the loss of a loved one. Cremation services in Tukwila, WA are also always delighted in working and planning together with families for a celebration of life they want for their loved ones. Then, as the preparation goes on, we cannot deny the fact that there are a lot of benefits does life celebrations to every family.

One of the most commendable things about the celebration of life is that you can completely customize it. As a result, the loved ones organizing the event are given more freedom to do what they want and according to their preferences. You can be just as simple to plan and don’t have to adhere to any rules. Another thing, celebration of life allows you to focus on the positive influence of the departed shared on their loved ones and other people. Consider the positive effect they have had on you and others. From then, you will learn to cherish your memories as you begin to celebrate life. You’ll find yourself smiling as you think back on your time spent with them rather than lingering in despair over the loss of your loved one.

One more thing, life celebrations can be held everywhere. This indicates that you are not limited to a conventional setting, like a funeral home. There are countless alternatives for venues, some of which might be as fancy as a trip abroad or as basic as a gathering at a friend’s house. Not just that, celebration of life will also allow you to heal while grieving, even wherever the event is being held. Take note that, you should allow yourself to mourn your loss. It would be cruel and, in most cases, impossible for you to deny yourself sadness.

Even if you are on a tight budget, celebration of life can still be held. Since you can entirely personalize the event, buy everything that you need, and will cost you only a little or as much as you can spend. Finally, a celebration of life does not have to follow any time frame. The event does not necessarily need to take place before the cremation or burial of the body. It can occur after weeks, months, or even years, which gives everyone to grieve after losing someone they love.

We see that holding a celebration of life has several benefits not just for the ones who are organizing but also for those who are attending. Because of these reasons as well, people are choosing life celebrations instead of the traditional funeral service. Now, if you want to consider it and need more additional details, just reach us at cremation services in Tukwila, WA.

6 Various Kinds of Burial/Funeral Services

A funeral home near Tukwila, WA provides the compassion and dignified services that many people are looking. With that, we want you to be informed of all the many types of funeral services although our company are offering them. To choose the best burial service you want for your loved one, consider all the various factors and make a decision after knowing the choices that you have.

Here are the different types of funeral services available:

Traditional Funeral Service

Traditional funeral service is also referred as “full-service” funeral, because this kind of service often consists of a viewing or visitation, a formal funeral service, the use of a hearse to take the body to the funeral home and cemetery, and burial, entombment, or cremation of the remains. As a result, most expensive type of burial service.

Memorial Service

One of the most popular types of funeral services is a memorial service. It is quite similar to the traditional funeral service, however, the body or the cremated remains are not present. The good thing about this service is that it can be held even after a day, month, or year/s of the interment. It is not following any time frame.

Graveside Burial Service

In a cemetery of your choice, a graveside ceremony is a burial service that is held at the gravesite. It could be a stand-alone ceremony to remember the deceased at the location of their grave. A graveside burial service might be held as an additional ceremony following a funeral. In fact, you can also do a graveside service and visitation.

Simple Funeral Service

Without the expense of a hearse, a simple funeral consists of an attended service at a nearby crematorium. To prepare for your arrival and to honor their life, the casket will be lying in state in the chapel. Traditional funerals are structured similarly to simple funerals, but simple funerals are typically significantly less expensive.

Wake

A wake is a gathering that takes place before to the funeral service. It may take place at one of the family members’ homes, but it frequently takes place at the funeral home. Seeing the body this way allows others to view it before the final interment.

Direct Burial (No Services)

There is no graveside memorial or funeral when someone is buried directly. No viewing or visitor will take place; hence embalming is not required. Soon after death, the body is buried, typically in a simple container. In most cases, direct burial is less expensive compared to the “traditional” full-service funeral.

There are indeed a lot of types of burial or funeral services. You may choose that will best suits your needs or according to your loved one’s wishes. Do not worry for funeral home near Tukwila, WA offers almost all the types of burial services mentioned above. And now, it will be easier for you to decide on what kind of service you will select because you are well aware of these services.

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