Monthly Archives: August 2022

Why are Cremation Services Becoming More Popular?

Cremation services are a common alternative to traditional burial. Cremation has been a method of disposition for most of history, and its popularity rises and fallen throughout the generations. Currently, cremation services near College Park, MD, are rising in demand. There are several reasons why more people are choosing cremation for themselves and their loved ones.

One of the biggest reasons that people are choosing cremation is the lower cost. You can generally expect to spend significantly less on cremation than on traditional burial, even if a traditional funeral is held beforehand. You won’t need to purchase a burial plot or a casket, and you may not need to pay for embalming services either. These savings can quickly add up, and for many families, that is a huge benefit to consider. Additionally, if you do not want to have a funeral or memorial service, but simply require a direct cremation, it becomes very cost-effective.

Another reason that cremation services are becoming more popular is the flexibility they offer when it comes to planning. Many people plan a memorial service, rather than a funeral, for their loved ones who have been cremated. This takes away the stress of having to make immediate arrangements, and you can schedule the service for a time that makes more sense for everyone. For instance, if you have lots of families that live far away and they need more time to make travel arrangements, this is possible with a memorial service. Your loved one may have wanted their services to take place outside, during the warmer months. No matter when they passed away, you have the freedom to wait until the optimal time to make plans.

For those who have a passion for protecting their environment, cremation services also have less of a negative impact compared to a traditional burial. They don’t require a plot of land and don’t allow harmful embalming chemicals to enter the soil. Cremation does release carbon dioxide, which is known as a greenhouse gas, but when you compare the two side-by-side, cremation has less of a footprint than traditional earth burial.

Finally, there is a lot of flexibility for a memorialization with cremation as well. You can purchase a beautiful urn that honors their memory, you can scatter their ashes in a beloved location, or you can inter or bury their ashes in a cemetery. These are all excellent ways to lay your loved one to rest, and depending on your family and situation, one of them will be fitting for your loved one.

These are the main reasons that cremation services have begun to see an increase in demand in recent years. People are finding that the flexibility it offers is more appropriate for their family and situation. As we become more aware of how our choices impact the environment, the argument for cremation services near College Park, MD, begins to make even more sense. Ask your funeral home or provider of cremation services for more information, to find out if it’s the right choice for you and your family, as well as your loved one.

Funeral Benefits for Veterans

Do you have a family member who has passed away, that was a veteran? Whether they were on active or inactive duty or had been honorably discharged, they can qualify for several different benefits when it comes to their final services. Not everyone knows about this, but your funeral home near College Park, MD, can help you find out which benefits you might qualify for. Planning and paying for a funeral is a difficult and daunting task, especially because it must be done during a time of grieving and loss.

As a veteran, your loved one can receive full military honors, including a rifle guard and the playing of “Taps” at their funeral. Any necessary transportation may be provided. A flag folding ceremony is also an option, with the flag being presented to the next of kin, or a close friend. Burial in a state or national cemetery will also be compensated for, with a burial plot and a permanent grave marker, as well as perpetual care and maintenance. In addition to this, the spouse of the veteran will also receive a burial plot next to their husband or wife in the national or state cemetery. There are also some other caveats that may include children or grown dependent children, depending on your situation.

If your loved one died in active duty, either overseas or in training, there may be additional benefits that you can qualify for. If they received any kind of honors or medals during their time of service, and these have become lost or misplaced, you can order replacements at no charge. Additionally, you can apply for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, which is signed by the president to honor your loved one and offer gratitude for their dedicated service to our country.

One of the biggest reasons why these benefits can help you is because of the savings they provide when it comes to the costs of a funeral and burial. Coming up with the funds to pay for these things while in a time of need is never easy. Our nation wants to make sure that the people who dedicate their time to serving our country are compensated, as well as their families who are suffering a devastating loss. It can be difficult to try and navigate through all the paperwork and requirements that the VA needs, but it’s worth it in the end.

If you feel that you or your loved one qualify for some of these services, you should reach out to your funeral home near College Park, MD. They will have years of experience in dealing with these matters, and they can connect you with the right resources. They will provide the proper paperwork, and make sure that you meet all the requirements necessary to receive the benefits that you deserve. You can take some comfort in knowing that the sacrifices that your loved one made for the sake of our country are not overlooked and that they can rest in peace being honored by their country.

Deciding What to Do with a Loved One’s Ashes

After someone has been cremated, their family will receive back their ashes in a temporary urn. From here, they must decide what to do next; whether it’s to scatter them, store them in an urn, have them interred in a cemetery, or bury them. This variety of options is one reason why many people choose cremation services near Adelphi, MD. Here is some more information about your options when it comes to storing your loved one’s ashes, and honoring their memory.

Interment or Burial in a Cemetery

Having your loved one’s ashes interred in a niche at a cemetery’s columbarium is a common way to provide a final and permanent resting place. These receive perpetual care and maintenance, and they also provide a marked location where family and friends can visit at any time. Alternatively, you can have your loved one’s ashes buried in a cemetery, in a family plot, for example.

Urn Storage

Urns come in many forms, but essentially, they are storage vessels for a person’s ashes. They can be as simple as an engraved wooden box, or they could also be a much more decorative and sculptural vase, with many other options in between. These are commonly stored inside a family member’s home. Some families have multiple households that would like to keep a part of their loved one, and in this case, keepsake urns are a good solution. These are smaller urns that can hold a divided amount of ashes, allowing for every household to have a piece of their loved one in their home. Related to keepsake urns is keepsake jewelry, which provides a similar solution to multiple family members (or even close friends) wishing to keep a part of their loved one with them at all times.

Scattering

Some people who choose to be cremated wish for their ashes to be spread or scattered in a particular place. For some, this could be a beloved vacation spot. For others, it might be a place that held many childhood memories. Wherever they have chosen, you will have to do a bit of research to see what kind of rules or regulations there are about scattering ashes there. Some places prohibit it entirely, some regulate it in certain areas, and some private properties require permission from the owner. Scattering at sea is another option, and you must simply travel at least three nautical miles away from shore before scattering. Finally, many cemeteries have scattering gardens, where a person’s remains can be spread in a peaceful spot.

These are a few of the basic ways that you can either store or scatter your loved one’s ashes after their cremation services near Adelphi, MD. Depending on your family and your situation, one of these is likely to work for you. You can also ask your funeral home or cremation provider for more advice on local areas, as they will likely have more specific information due to their years of experience. Then, you can make a plan that will allow your loved one to rest in peace.

What is a Post-Funeral Reception?

When a family faces the task of planning their loved one’s final arrangements, there will be many difficult decisions to make. Planning the viewing, funeral service, and burial or cremation, is not an easy task, especially for someone in the midst of mourning the loss of their loved one. Many families also take on the responsibility of planning a post-funeral reception, either at their funeral home near Adelphi, MD, or elsewhere. Not every situation will call for this, but a post-funeral reception can provide an excellent way for family and friends to gather together, eat, and unwind after a long and difficult day.

The first thing to think of when planning for the post-funeral dinner is how many people will be coming. If it’s just a smaller, intimate group, you might be able to host it at your home or the home of a family member or friend. Take note that this might not be the best option for everyone because it does put more responsibility on the host. For larger groups, you may want to consider another venue. Some ideas would be the reception hall at your funeral home or place of worship, renting out a banquet hall, or reserving an area of a restaurant. Depending on how many people are coming and what your plans are for the food, one of these should work for your family.

Speaking of food, this will be the next item to consider. The most inexpensive option is probably to have it in a potluck style, with those attending bringing a dish to share. This can be a good choice for a smaller to a medium-sized group of people. It doesn’t place the full burden of feeding the group on the family or host. However, it does require more work in the way of cleanup afterward. It also places the responsibility of cooking on those who will be attending. Your next option would be to have it catered or to order carryout food and bring it to the venue. This will be more costly, but it will also remove the burden of cooking and preparing. Finally, if you’re holding the post-funeral reception at a restaurant, you’ll be utilizing their services. They will cook, serve, and clean up afterward, allowing you and your family to focus on being together. Many times, families will want to share memories and stories of the one they lost, and this also offers a time for people to catch up in a more intimate setting than at the funeral.

These are just the basic things you will have to consider when planning a post-funeral reception after your loved one’s services. It’s not always the first thing that comes to mind when making final arrangements, but it can be a beneficial time for family and friends. Your funeral home near Adelphi, MD, can help you plan it, and may even provide a place to host it. Then, you can focus on spending that time with family and friends, honoring your loved one in yet another way.

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