Cremation is a very popular way to dispose of your loved one’s ashes. With the growing popularity of cremation, however, families are often unsure what best practices to follow so that their loved one’s remains are correctly disposed of and cared for. Here are some helpful tips for cremation services in Perkasie, PA, and ensuring that your loved one’s final resting place is somewhere they want to be.
The desire to preserve a loved one for as long as possible is natural, but embalming is not required by law. The law does not require an autopsy or embalming unless the deceased is being transported across state lines. Even in those cases, it’s important to know that embalming isn’t necessary for cremation or burial.
Embalming is intended to extend the time between death and burial—a process that can take anywhere from 24 hours up to a week. When you choose cremation, your loved one will be returned within 48 hours after the final stages of their funeral service have been completed. The time frame between death and cremation varies depending on how quickly your family can arrange services after their passing. However, most states allow families two days before they must hold services if they wish their loved ones to be buried instead of cremated immediately after death occurs (in which case, you may want help finding affordable options).
If you want, you can still have a viewing or service before cremation. In fact, this is often done by families who want to commemorate the life of their loved one but do not want to participate in an actual funeral.
For example, if your friend or a family member were planning on having a service with multiple people present, they could plan it as soon as possible after death (within 24 hours) to be able to invite more people than would fit during the actual cremation itself. If this interests you, talk with your provider about options for laying out flowers and memorial items in advance of the cremation process happening so that everything is ready for whoever comes over later.
Cremated remains can be scattered in a cemetery or elsewhere, buried in a cemetery or elsewhere (for instance, in your backyard), kept at home, and even stored at a church.
Some people choose to keep the cremated remains of their loved ones at home as opposed to scattering them somewhere. If you plan on doing this, ensure that your home is secure enough to store ashes for an extended period. Some families keep the ashes on display until they’re ready to dispose of them.
If you decide to keep the ashes inside your house, consider where you would like to place them. Many people place them in small boxes around their home—in bedrooms or kitchens—or have one large container that holds all the different containers together.
If you don’t want a formal funeral service, you can still hold memorial or cremation services in Perkasie, PA. You may prefer to have the service at home and invite family and friends for dinner afterward. Or you may want to visit your loved one’s grave site with other family members before or after the memorial service. Another option is to have an informal ceremony at a church or place of worship, such as an outdoor pavilion or gazebo (if it’s warm enough). If you’d like an indoor location, ask if any available church rooms aren’t being used for services during that time. Many churches have plenty of space available during off hours.
