The death of a loved one leaves a trail of emotions for those grieving the loss. The stress is even greater when your family is left with the responsibility of making decisions regarding cremation.
Ease their burden during a difficult time by pre-planning your own cremation arrangements. Archer-Weston Funeral Home offers you this simple checklist to help you in your pre-planning decisions.
What is important to you?
- Do you prefer a traditional funeral service prior to cremation or a simple memorial service?
- What are your wishes for your cremated remains?
- If you choose for your “ashes” to be scattered, how would you like that to be done?
- Would you prefer donations to be offered to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers?
- Is there a church or organization which you would like memorial donations made to in your name?
- Who would you like to speak at your service?
- Who will be responsible for the implementation of your wishes, or who will implement your wishes should they not be able to carry them out?
Assemble Essential Information
By gathering important information now, you will ease your loved one’s burden significantly at the time of your passing. Group all the information together for easy access. Your loved ones will appreciate this act of love when the time comes for them to say good-bye. Here are some of the items they will need:
- A list of all who should be notified and their contact information
- Preferences and contact information for service notifications and obituary
- The name of your chosen executor and how to reach him or her
- Locations, codes, and keys to safes, deposit boxes, and other stored valuables
- A complete list of all band and retirement accounts, insurance policies, credit card companies, and other official entities that must be notified at the time of your death
- An all-inclusive list of utilities, deliveries, services, and publications to be cancelled at the time of your death
Official and Personal Documentation
You will both assist your loved ones and ensure your personal wishes are fulfilled by preparing these details in advance.
- You can pre-write your obituary or at least consider making notes of important life events and people that you wish to be included in it.
- Be sure your will is updated and legally sound.
- Have in place all necessary paperwork regarding power of attorney, financial power or attorney, living will, and health care documentation.
Gather the above information and keep it in a safe place where you have notified your chosen representative or family members to find it. Keep a second copy of this information in a second location off-site, and notify your representative of that, as well. This ensures the safety of your vital information in the event of a fire or other disaster.
Definitions of Cremation Terms
Alternative Container
An encasement for the deceased’s body strictly used before and during cremation, this is a simple, unlined, undecorated box made of wood or composite material. More appropriate caskets are available for visitations and services.
Viewing Casket
Before cremation, families may want to hold a viewing or funeral service. This “viewing casket” is rented for temporary use, and then returned to the funeral home. The body is then placed in an alternative container for cremation. (See also Cremation Casket)
Cremated Remains
The final form of the deceased’s remains after cremation, these are sometimes referred to as “ashes” or “cremains”.
Cremation
The process of converting the deceased’s body to “ashes” – or minute bone fragments – through intense heat, cremation is a considered alternative to burial.Frequently Asked Questions
Cremation Casket
Specially designed, this casket is appropriate for visitations ore viewings and also utilized for the cremation process, eliminating the need for two separate containers.
Cremation Garden
A serene setting for the final placement of cremated remains, gardens can be simple or elaborate, from a simple urn garden to elegant water features. These spaces can be personalized to a family’s preferences.
Crematory
The building in which the cremation equipment is housed and cremation process completed.
Inurnment
The act of placing a cremation urn in its final resting place, this may be a niche, columbarium, tomb, crypt, or ground burial.
Keepsake Items
Specially designed jewelry, miniature urns, or other pieces hold a portion of the cremation “ashes” for special memory.
Niche
The specific compartment where a cremation urn is placed for the deceased’s final rest, these may be elaborate or simple, solid, or glass-fronted for viewing. Niches may be located inside an indoor structure, such as a columbarium, or an outdoor structure, as in a cremation garden wall.
Scattering
Cremation ashes are permanently dispersed in an authorized area, whether at sea, by air, or on permitted property. Some locations allow for the intermingling of many ashes. Because of the finality of scattering ashes, many chose to retain a small portion of the remains in a “keepsake item”.
Urn
Containers used to hold cremated remains; these can be made of bronze, porcelain, ceramic, wood, or other materials. They may be traditionally shaped or cubical. Keepsake urns describe smaller containers which hold only a portion of the deceased’s “ashes”.
Answers About Cremation
We have prepared a series of questions commonly asked about cremation with detailed answers about cremation.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHome of the Clinton County Crematory
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