Blog

Category Archives: Cremation

Planning Life Celebrations After Cremation Services

Cremation services in Tukwila, WA are always honorable and they are versatile as well. If you go with direct cremation, that happens soon after your loved one passes on and then, you can decide what you want to do to memorialize that person from there. You might want to celebrate their life, for example, instead of mourning the sadness of their death with a traditional service. If a life celebration feels like something they would appreciate, and your family would enjoy as well, here are some tips that can help you to plan something nice.

Think About The Budget First

You are going to want to think about your budget first because that can help you to figure out what you can do and where you need to hold back. You may have a smaller budget in mind, and that’s okay. There are so many options for life celebrations that there are many things you can do for a low price, or even for free. Set a budget and then figure out what the costs are and how you can spread the budget across those things.

Choose A Location

The location where you hold the celebration is going to determine a lot, like how many people you can invite, what types of activities you can do, and so on. You can pick something inside to shelter you from weather, or something outside that might feel unique and special. There are venues to book, or family homes you can even use. Some places have flexible dates while others might be harder to book for a certain time.

Decide What To Include

There are endless things you can do at a life celebration. You can keep it simple and just have a meal. You can play frisbee golf, go bowling, watch a game, have a dance party, do crafts, or anything else you feel is fitting. Think about your loved one’s personality and the things they liked. You will want the activities to be something they would appreciate and things that your family will enjoy at the same time.

Plan Refreshments

Most life celebrations are going to include a meal or, at the very least, refreshments. Depending on the timeline of the party, you might just have desserts and other such things. Or, you can have a potluck meal where everyone brings something to share.

Invite Guests

Once you have things lined up, you can invite the people you want to attend. You can have just family and close friends or you can ask the community to participate. It can be hard to decide whether you want to invite just a few people or everyone. Go with what you feel your loved one would want the most.

If you are trying to figure out what to do for a loved one after cremation services in Tukwila, WA, keep in mind that you don’t have a timeline on the process. You can do whatever you want for your loved one whenever you want, including a life celebration.

Putting Of Memorial Services Can Feel Right

If you decide on cremation services in West Seattle, WA for a loved one’s final services, you are going to want to be certain that’s what you want before you proceed. That way, you won’t have regrets later on since it really is a permanent process that cannot be reversed. Once the cremation is complete, the other decisions you have to make can wait. You can have a memorial service right away, or you can wait until later, for example. There are a lot of reasons you might put the services off and, in fact, that can feel right to you. Here are a few such reasons.

1-Your Family Lives Far Apart

Not every family grows up in the same town and sticks around. More often than not, families tend to spread out. IF you know your family wants to be there for the service, but it would be hard for them to get there on short notice, it’s okay to wait and hold the service, perhaps next month. You can choose a date a month or more in the future and warn your family of that date. That gives them time to take time off from work, make flight or driving arrangements, hotel reservations, and anything else they might like to do. It can take the planning pressure off, but it can also take the pressure off your family, who really do want to be there.

2-You Need Time To Plan

Not everyone knows just what they want for their loved one’s final services. It can take some time to plan and get all of the details together. If you want to do something really special and it simply takes time to get those things lined up, there’s nothing wrong with waiting for a week, two weeks, or even further down the road. You won’t regret it when the memorial service is everything you want for your loved one.

3-Your Loved One Wanted Something Specific

If your loved one requested that you do something specific, like have their memorial in a certain location, or take a family trip together, that might be limiting as to when you can do those things. If the location they wanted is booked for a month, you might have to put the services off so you can accommodate their wants. If they asked you to take a trip to their favorite spot, that takes time to plan and pull together as well. But it’s important to follow your loved one’s wishes if they left any behind and waiting is okay.

The professionals that helped you with your loved one’s cremation services in West Seattle, WA are there to help you with the options even after the cremation is complete. You can get a simple cremation package and that will include everything your loved one needs, but they can also help you with the memorial services whenever you want to move forward. They can also remind you that having the service in a few weeks or even further out is perfectly fine.

Cremation Packages And Additions

When you decide on cremation services in Bellevue, WA for your own pre-plans, it can feel like a relief. You looked at the options, thought them over, asked some questions, and know what you want. Then, you just have to follow through. Once you know that cremation is what you want, the funeral home will recommend choosing one of the cremation package options. There are several from which to choose and all of them include everything you have to have. You can also add whatever you want to those packages. Here are some options to consider as you move forward with your plans.

The Simple, Direct Cremation

Even the most basic cremation package is going to include everything you have to have, which is nice to know. You don’t have to get anything further than just the package. It will give you the transportation you need from the place of your death to the crematory. It will also give your family help with paperwork, you the cremation process, and even a simple container for your remains. That’s all you have to have to complete the process and meet your needs.

A Full Cremation Package

If you would like to include further services with your basic cremation, you can get a full cremation package, which gives you a funeral before the cremation service. The professionals will help your family plan things out, or will follow the plans you leave and put everything into place. Afterwards, you will be cremated and returned to your family.

Additions

There are other cremation package options, but there are also a lot of different things you could add to those packages, depending on what you want. The most popular thing that people add is an urn. All cremation packages include a simple container for remains, but that container is little more than a cardboard box. People often want something more, like an urn. The urn is something that could be on display at a memorial service or it could be a keepsake the family has after a scattering. There are a lot of options and they can even be customized.

If you go with a direct cremation, the second most popular thing to add to a package is the memorial service. A memorial service is something the funeral home is happy to host and they will do whatever you please to honor your loved one. If you don’t add the memorial service, you can still go back and add it later or, you can do something on your own in a park, a family home, or other locations.

There are plenty of other things you could add to a package when you organize cremation services in Bellevue, WA for yourself in advance and there are plenty of cremation packaged to consider. You are going to want to talk to the professionals, consider your options, and line up what you feel best about. Since you are planning ahead, time is on your side. You can take your time with the decisions and move forward only when you are good and ready.

Writing Thank You Cards After Cremation Services

You may notice that a lot of different people come out of the woodwork to support you when you lose a loved one. As you plan and implement the cremation services in Tukwila, WA, you will get sympathy cards, memorial money, flowers, food delivered to your home, gift baskets, and lots of other things. These gifts are thoughtful gestures and some of your friends might also offer to do things to help you through this hard time. These people are trying to support you and you are grateful for their help. You may want to reach out to them, after the fact, and thank them for their kindness. Use these tips to write those thank you cards when you are ready.

Get The Stationery/Cards

Before you start the process, decide what cards or stationery you are going to use. You can use nice paper or you can get actual thank you cards, or even just blank cards with a nice picture on the outside. You don’t have to buy something specifically for each person, but rather get a large pack of something that you can send to everyone to make it easier on you.

Organize The List And Track Early

As people start sending things and doing things for you that you are going to want to remember later, start a list in a notebook that you can have with you to keep track. You may feel like you are in a fog and it can get hard to remember who did what or who sent what later. So, when someone brings a meal, write down their name and what they brought on the list so you can refer to it later. If they send money in a card, note their return address as well to make writing that card simpler.

Write A Few At A Time

Once you have collected most of what you think will come in and the cremation and memorial services are behind you, you may want to start writing the thank you cards. Don’t feel like you have to sit down and write dozens of cards at a time. That’s hard on your hand and can be emotionally taxing as well. Plus, you want to customize the cards and you might feel like you are saying the same thing over and over again. Commit to writing a few each day, or a couple in the morning and a couple at night, and you will get through them in time.

Distribute The Work

Don’t feel like you have to write all of the cards when there are other family members involved in the grieving process as well. If someone sent something specifically to you, you will want to be the one to thank them. But if someone sent a memorial gift to the family, you can ask other family members to help in writing those thank you cards.

If you need more advice on writing thank you cards, the professionals that helped with the cremation services in Tukwila, WA are here to help.

What Kind of Cremation Service Do You Want?

When you are thinking about planning out your own cremation services in Seattle, WA, it’s good to know what the options are. You know what cremation entails and while cremation takes place the same way every time, there are lots of things you can do around the cremation service like choosing an urn and the timing of that service can also vary. Here are different types of cremation so you have a full understanding and can choose what you feel is best for your situation.

A Full Cremation

Full cremation is the most traditional option and, in a way, can give you the best of both worlds. With this option, you have a visitation and full funeral service beforehand and then, the cremation takes place once those things are concluded. The funeral will have to take place quickly as the cremation needs to happen within a few days of your death. But it’s a nice way to give family traditions and ceremonies that they might appreciate while still allowing you the cremation you want.

A Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is much more straightforward. After you pass on, you are transported to the funeral home and your family deals with paperwork. Once those things are in order, cremation takes place without any services beforehand. It’s a succinct way to meet needs in a simple manner without a lot of extras. It costs the least, but also gives you the most options as to what can be done after the cremation process is carried out.

A Cremation Followed By Burial

While there are a lot of options for final resting places after the cremation, some people still like the idea of a cemetery burial, and that is one option that works just fine. Cremation can move forward and then, after the memorial family can gather at the cemetery and have a traditional burial, in a much smaller plot, for the cremated remains. Cremation also means that you can be buried in other locations if you so choose. You could be placed in a family garden, for example, easily enough.

A Cremation With A Memorial Service

Many people that want cremation understand that their family is going to need some kind of service to say goodbye and perhaps to get the closure they need to move forward. That might mean setting up some kind of memorial service. Memorial services can be whatever you want them to be and they can take place at any time after the cremation is complete. Some people want to have something that feels more like a funeral and is somber and ceremonial in nature while others want something casual, like a family meal. You can even have a life celebration, with a much more light-hearted feel. There’s no pressure on the timeline as these services can take place whenever you want after the cremation is completed.

If you have more questions about the regulation of cremation services in Seattle, WA, the professionals are more than willing to answer so you have the details you need.

Aiding Your Grief With Natural Elements

Grief is hard and your path through it is different than another person’s path through it. Once the cremation services in Tukwila, WA for your loved one are complete, you have taken care of their needs. You might go on to honor them with a memorial service and/or a final resting place and that can also give you peace of mind that they have been celebrated in a nice way and got a good final send-off. Once all of that is behind you, the grieving process is going to run its course, whatever that might be. You are going to have to find your way through it in whatever way feels best to you. Some people find that nature can help. Here are a few ways in which that might be the case for you.

The Fresh Air

There’s something about going outside and breathing in that fresh air that can help you to clear your mind and perhaps get a little bit of the fog out. When you feel overwhelmed, going outside and taking some deep breaths can help you to get through, even the next few minutes.

Take Walks

Even though your emotions are all over the place, your physical body still has needs. You will want to eat well, rest as you can, and even get some exercise. It’s nice to get out and walk the trails or take a jaunt around the neighborhood. When you take those walks, you can enjoy the sun on your skin, breathe in that fresh air, and get the endorphins flowing a bit. It can help you to feel better, even if just for a little while.

Watch Wildlife

The birds and animals outside can really help you to put life into perspective and watching those critters can help you to smile. Watch the birds flying from branch to branch and the squirrels chasing one another. Perhaps your loved one enjoyed some specific animals and seeing them can help you to remember them as well.

Enjoy The Beauty In Nature

There are all sorts of beautiful things in nature and you can see and appreciate them if you take a little time to do so. Watch the sunset, for example, and enjoy the leaves blowing in the breeze. Listen to the birds sing and take in the fluffy clouds floating above you. The beauty in nature can give you something to appreciate as you get outside, even if only for a few minutes.

Do Things Your Loved One Enjoyed Outside

Did your loved one like frisbee golf? Bike riding? Picnics? Do some of the things you know they liked doing outside and that can help you to honor them and infuse a new normal into yourself and that activity. You can, in a way, pick up where they left off in that activity.

It’s hard to get through a loved one’s cremation services in Tukwila, WA, but once you have their needs met, you might want to use nature to help you grieve through the days after.

Do You Want To Keep The Cremation Remains At Home?

When you decide on cremation services in Seattle, WA for a loved one, there are lots of options to consider around that one. You can have a memorial service if you want, and that can be whatever you want it to be. You can also decide on a final resting place at any time. It’s nice to know that once the cremation is complete, you are able to do whatever you want for your loved one at any time you want to do it. There’s no timeline on any process once the cremation is complete. Some people appreciate getting an urn for their loved ones and then, taking them home with them. Here are a few reasons that might sound like the right answer to you.

You Want To Keep That Person Close

You didn’t want your loved one to pass on and while they are gone and not coming back, you might want to keep the remains you have from them close to you. You don’t want to leave them in a cemetery or scatter them in a certain location. Instead, you want them to be in your home and as close as you can get to them at all times.

You’d Like A Memorial Display

Even if you had a memorial service for your loved one, you might want to have a memorial display of some kind in your house. You can put a picture of them up on the mantel and perhaps even place their urn next to it. You can put other things there as well. It is a nice way to keep your loved ones close and honor them at the same time.

Take Them Along When You Move

Most people don’t live in the same place all of their lives and if you foresee a move coming, or you move around a lot and you know it, it’s important to consider your loved one’s final resting place in addition to those moves. If you don’t feel like you would want to leave them behind, having their urn in your home can help. You can take them with you any time you move and there aren’t going to be any issues about leaving them behind.

Allow Yourself Time On The Resting Place Decision

If you aren’t sure what to do for your loved one’s final resting place at first, that’s okay. You can keep your loved one in your home until you make that decision. Once they are in your home, you might like having them there and it could become their final resting place. Or, you might decide on a scattering location, a burial site, or something else.

There are many different things you can do for a loved one after their cremation services in Bellevue, WA, including a memorial and a final resting place, which might end up being within your home. Think about the options and if you aren’t sure, keeping your loved one home for the time being can be a nice way to give you more time.

Choosing An Urn Around Cremation Services

There are lots of different decisions to make when you are planning a loved one’s cremation services in Seattle, WA. The first thing you will want to do is choose a type of cremation service or package that will cover all of their needs. While any package, even the most basic, covers the things that person has to have, even a simple container for their remains, you might also want to get an urn to add to the package. Here are a few tips to help you choose that urn.

Have A Budget In Mind

It’s wise to have a budget in mind for the urn you want to buy so you don’t overspend and then you may not have enough money for something else you really wanted for your loved one. There are a variety of urns on the market and most people can find something suitable within their budget range. Take a look at how much money you had left over after you got your loved one’s cremation package taken care of. Then, decide how much you can afford to spend on it.

Know The Size You Need

Urns are different sizes and it’s wise to find out what size you need before you start looking and end up with something too small. It’s okay to get something larger than you need, but getting something too small can be an issue. Ask the cremation provider what size you need. They can let you know based on the height and weight of your loved one. You can look at only those sizes to ensure you get just what you want.

Think About The Uses

There are a variety of different uses that you can put an urn through and it’s wise to figure out what purposes you have behind it before you make a decision. You want to get an urn that suits your loved one and acts in a functional manner for your uses. Consider whether you are burying the urn, scattering ashes, keeping the urn in your home, or other such things. Ask yourself if it’ll show in your home or be hidden and so on. Those things can help you decide what you want to do and what you might want to get.

Remember Personal Style

Whenever you make decisions about your loved one’s final services, you are going to want to think about their personal style and what they might want. Whenever you see an urn that might be a good option, you may want to ask yourself whether or not your loved one would like it. That can help you to decide between a few different urns.

If you are planning your loved one’s cremation services, there are lots of details to consider. Once you have a cremation package in place, you can think about the different options that you could add to that package, like an urn. Buying an urn can make the process feel special and more customized. It can also give you a memorial for your loved one.

What To Do To Your Home Before Having Cremation Services

If you have direct cremation services in Seattle, WA for a loved one who passed on, you have the option of having whatever kind of memorial service you want for that person at any time in the future. Perhaps your family decides that they want to do something small and intimate and your home is the perfect location for the event. Here are some of the things you might want to do to your house before the guests arrive as you prepare for the memorial service.

Declutter

Most people have some kind of clutter lying around the house and it’s a good idea to clear as much of that up as you can. Pick up the magazines and put them in another room. Store everything in a nice way so it’s out of sight. Decluttering the house can make it look larger and more open. It will also be inviting and welcoming to your guests.

Deep Clean

You are going to want your home to be neat and tidy for your family. If you don’t like to clean, or don’t have time to do so, other family members or friends might want to help you with the process in order to aid you through this hard time. You will want to clean the floors, countertops, bathrooms, and everything else people might use while they are there.

Arrange Furniture

Your furniture might be arranged around your TV or in other ways, but you don’t need that arrangement when you have family over for a memorial. You might need more seating, or you might want to direct the seating to a different focal point. Or, you may just want to arrange the furniture so that you have as much open space for people to move around as possible.

Prepare Guestrooms

Some of your family members might be staying with you from out of town so they can be at the memorial service. Get their guestrooms ready with clean sheets, perhaps flowers on the bedside table, and other inviting elements. You will make your guests feel welcomed and comfortable.

Get Counterspace Ready

Many memorial services, especially those within a home, are going to include food and that means you are going to need counter space available. Move things away from the outlets so the crockpots can come in. Get some plates and glasses ready and clear as many other things from the counter as you can to make space for flowers and other things that will be coming in the day of the event.

When you are ready to have a memorial service for your loved one after their cremation services in Seattle, WA, you are going to want to do certain things to your home if that is where you are having the event. Even if you are the host, you might want to ask family members and friends to help you with the preparation process so you don’t have to do everything alone before guests arrive.

Grief And Cremation Services

There are a variety of things you might hear are good to do when you are grieving and need to organize cremation services in Tukwila, WA for a loved one. Grief is going to be different for each person, so you can’t expect what you need to be the same thing as what someone else in your family needs. But the cremation professionals are going to help you with every step of the process. They want you to know that you can go to them to get grief resources and advice. Here are some of the things that often help people get through the planning and grieving process.

Talking To Loved Ones

You have lost someone special to you and one of the things that can help the most is to talk to the people you still have in your life. The people who care about you the most will help you through this situation. They will remind you that you still have people who love you. While they aren’t going to fill the holes in your life, they will help you see a way through it and possibly help you to see the new normal that will appear in your future.

Get Professional Advice

Family and friends will be there with hugs and support, but you might feel like you need professionals to guide you through the grief and planning. Your cremation provider will be able to help you with the planning process so you feel like your loved one’s needs are met and they are being honored in just the right ways. You can then seek help from a counselor or attend a grief support group in order to feel less alone with your emotions and what you are going through. Finding the right advice from people you trust can really make a difference.

Go Outside

It might sound small, but going outside and getting fresh air can really help you to put a new perspective on your situation. You might notice the clouds, the birds, nature as a whole, and recognize that your life is going to move on, no matter how hard things feel right now. While you are getting that fresh air, perhaps take a walk around the block and get a little exercise in.

Move Forward Slowly

Grief can cause you to feel like you are in a fog and you might make harsh moves that you aren’t going to appreciate later. Move ahead slowly, especially if you are making big decisions for your future. Don’t move, for example, quit your job, or do anything else big until you are good and ready, whenever that might be.

When you choose providers to help with your loved one’s cremation services in Tukwila, WA, you will need to care for that person’s needs, but also for your own grief during the planning process. The professionals are there to help you, with compassion, through it all. We will honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit and we will treat you with the care you need as well.

Call now: 1-206-722-1100