Choose the Services You Want for Funeral and Cremation in Gladstone, OR

Facing the loss of a loved one and needing to make plans for their final arrangements, such as a funeral and cremation in Gladstone, OR, can feel like a daunting and overwhelming task. That is one reason you will want to work with competent funerary professionals who have the experience and resources to help you with any death care services you might need. There are multiple avenues this can take, and no singular option is better than another. In each case, the family must weigh the needs of the surviving grieving family and any known final wishes of the deceased.

Traditional Funerary Solutions

Most of us are very familiar with a traditional funeral service  format. The defining feature of a funeral is that the deceased person's body will be part of the service. Full-service options may include a funeral wake or visitation event before the funeral itself. Embalming the body for public display is often appropriate in many circumstances but not required. After the funeral services are finished, interment at the burial site and committal services may follow. Some families find that a reception is a perfect way to complete a full funeral service.

The related events could be eliminated or consolidated for a more streamlined funeral service. For example, the entirety of the funeral could be held at the cemetery for a respectful graveside ceremony. On the other hand, a funeral might be held for the public with interment or cremation following the honoring event. Understanding what can be gained by the mourners with different options can help guide the decision-making process for which events will be most meaningful to you and your family.

Nontraditional Funeral Services

As you might imagine, funerals can be subject to customization. This is a good thing! Perhaps your family needs to have no religious affiliation or connotation associated with the funeral. Many beautiful indoor and outdoor places could be the perfect setting for your event. Calling it a funeral ceremony instead of a funeral service might also make a difference in a case like this. Know that whatever your needs may be the services you are designing should be created to support you and other loved ones with healing experiences.

Memorial Service Options

In contrast to the option of a funeral service, there is a memorial service. It is designed with the same goals as a funeral service in many ways. In the end, the critical difference between a memorial and a funeral is the location of the deceased's body. For a memorial event, the body will already have been cared for by way of cremation or burial. If cremated, the ashen remains could be part of the memorial service if that is desirable. Since the critical timeline of final disposition will be alleviated, a memorial service may be offered weeks or months after the death date.

Cremation Offers More Flexibility

Services for cremating the deceased's body will result in a complete transformation of the remains, which adds flexibility to the final disposition location and style. Cremation uses thermal transfer to induce flames that incinerate all but the most rigid bone tissues. These bones are collected after cooling and then processed into granules or 'ashes.' These are the cremated remains that are given back to the designated relative.

Since all the components of the ashen remains that are subject to active decomposition will no longer be pertinent, these remains do not necessarily need to be buried. If you prefer to entomb or inter the ashes at your local cemetery, it is a good solution for the final resting place. You could also opt to scatter the cremated ashes somewhere in nature as long as appropriate permits and permissions are in place. Keeping the cremated remains in an urn at home is also a comfort-giving solution for many families.