Different Cremation Services Funeral Homes Offer

When you work with funeral homes in West Seattle, WA on final services, the first decision you will make is whether you want a funeral or cremation service for your loved one. As you consider your options, it’s good to know that there are lots of different cremation services offered. These types of services are very flexible and can make it easier to plan since the timeline on the services goes away once the cremation is complete. Here are some of the main choices that funeral homes offer in relation to cremation services.

Full Cremation Services

These services feel a lot more traditional because they proceed with a visitation and funeral first, followed by cremation after those services are complete. Your family gets the closure they need through the visitation and they can have a traditional service with readings, music, poems, and so on. If some people in the family want a funeral while others want cremation, this is a nice way to reach a compromise. The funeral moves forward, and the cremation waits till after. Then, you can decide on the best final resting place.

Direct Cremation Services

Direct Cremation services take place a lot faster than full cremation services because they happen soon after death. All the family has to do is get the death certificate and sign cremation consent forms and the cremation can take place. But just because the body is cremated quickly, that doesn’t mean family members can’t have services later. In fact, the family can have any kind of service they want after the cremation happens. Most families like to have a memorial service, but there are many different types of services. The family can have a memorial that feels like a funeral, one that is a bit more light0hearted, or even a celebration of life. They can even have an ash scattering ceremony, either in addition to the other service, or on its own.

There are decisions to make about cremation once you decide that’s the direction you want to go. The majority of clients go with direct cremation and plan whatever kind of services they want afterwards, but that’s not the ideal option for everyone. You need to do what you feel is best for your family and the situation you are in. When you make a decision, the professionals will stand behind you and support the choices you have made.

If you want to learn more about the cremation options and the different services and resting places that could be chosen, funeral homes in West Seattle, WA are here to help. We understand that planning services for a loved one is tough and it’s even harder to get things right when you aren’t sure what they would have wanted. We’ll show you the options and give you the compassion you need to get through these tough times. Contact the professionals at Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory and we can walk you through any part of the process you need help with and then some.