Call Now (515) 276-4567 - Available 24/7
ILES FUNERAL HOMES

img-int.jpg

 

Iles would be my recommendation to all my friends and family. The staff was kind, caring, knowledgeable and efficient.

 

Blog

Funerals Help With Grieving

funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA

There are a lot of things you can do to help yourself through the grieving process and funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA are there to aid you in those processes. Many families like to have final services for their loved ones, not only to address that person’s needs, but also for the family members who are left behind. Here are some of the things that funerals and other final services can do to help you with the grieving process.

Get Closure Over The Death

One thing you are going to have to have in order to move forward with a new sense of normal in your life is closure over your loved one’s death. You need to understand that they are gone and not coming back. That closure can come in a variety of ways, but one way you might get it is through a final service. When you see your loved one in their casket at the visitation or funeral, for instance, you might recognize the truth and gain access to that closure.

Say That Final Goodbye

It’s hard to let a loved one go unless you have said goodbye. Some people are able to say that goodbye before the person passes on, but that’s not always the case. If you need to say goodbye, you might get that chance at the funeral service. You can say goodbye to them in their casket, or even in your heart when you go through the motions of the service. Saying goodbye can help you to let go and move on with your own life.

Get Family Support

Funerals are a good time for family to gather. You might see people you haven’t in a long time and you can get the support you need from the people who care about you the most. While no one can replace your loved one, having family around you can help you to see what you still have going for you and who you still have loving you.

Find Comfort In Traditions

Funerals go through certain traditions and rituals. That can be comforting to you and other family members. You know what to expect. Perhaps you have gotten a certain level of comfort from funerals in the past and this time, you are looking for a similar piece of comfort. You are honoring your loved one in a nice way.

funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA

Have Funeral Home Support

The funeral home is going to be there for you every step of the way. They want you to be able to honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit. Their support can mean a lot to you in the planning process, but also as a part of the funeral service. You know they are there, behind the scenes, making sure everything is going to work well for your loved one and the rest of your family.

When you work with funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA, you are honoring your loved one and getting some grief support for you as well. Contact Iles Funeral Home for help.

Is Cremation The Right Option?

cremation services in West Des Moines, IA

When you are trying to figure out what you want to do for a loved one, it’s good to know that there really are no wrong choices. Funerals and cremation services in West Des Moines, IA are completely honorable and respectful. While they are different in many ways, the one way they are completely equal is in their honorability. You really can’t go wrong, which ever you choose, but you still want to do what you feel is the best for your loved one. Here are a few ways to tell whether or not cremation is the right option for your situation.

It Fits The Budget

Cremation is going to cost less than a funeral service, hands down. The biggest reason for that is because there are far fewer products and services necessary for this type of method. You don’t have to have a casket, a cemetery plot, a headstone, embalming, and so on. You may more easily be able to afford cremation or, you might only be able to afford cremation. If cremation fits the budget, there’s no reason not to choose it. It’s okay to choose to go that direction because of your budget parameters.

The Options Are Varied

You have likely attended a funeral in the past and you know what kind of services those require. But cremation services are different and you can do a variety of things with them. Once the cremation process is complete, you can do whatever you want for the memorial service—and at any time as well. The options are varied and that might help you to choose cremation because you want to do something different for your loved one than you would with a funeral.

The Timeline Needs Adjusting

You have to have everything ready for a funeral within a few days time after your loved one passes on. But if you go with cremation, you can get the cremation finished and then, do whatever you want in terms of the timeline. If you want more time for family to travel before the memorial service or you’d like some time yourself to process things before you jump into plans, having cremation is a good answer.

cremation services in West Des Moines, IA

The Final Resting Place Can Be Anywhere

Burying a loved one in a cemetery is a nice way to go, but if you want something else for them, perhaps something that feels more special and unique, you can go that direction with a cremation service. You are opening the door to an ash scattering in a variety of locations. You can keep your loved one in your home or do any number of other things for them.

When you are thinking about going with cremation services in West Des Moines, IA, the professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to answer your questions in full. We want you to be comfortable with whatever you end up choosing. We will support your choices and implement whatever you’d like to plan to honor your loved one.

Preparing Your Home For A Memorial

funeral homes in Des Moines, IA

There are many locations in which you can have a memorial services for a loved one who has passed on. Many families like to have that service in funeral homes in Des Moines, IA because the professionals are there to help with the details and that can be really comforting. But you can also have the service in your home church, in a park, or even in a family home. If your family has asked for you to host the memorial in your house, here are some things you might want to do to prepare.

Deep Clean The Home

One of the first things you are going to want to do is a deep clean on your home. You want everything to be clean and fresh for your family members and friends. Stock the bathroom with tissues and toilet paper, vacuum the floors, clean the blinds, remove dust from every surface and so on. If you are also grieving, you might want help with this cleaning process. You can have other family members come in to help or you might even allow your friends who want to help to come in and get things ready for you.

Organize The Cords

Do you have any cords from lamps that traverse the room? It’s wise to move those out of the way so you don’t have anyone tripping over them. Unplug those items and move the cords to the side. If you don’t have options on moving or unplugging the cords, make sure they are covered with rugs so you don’t have any hazards in the way.

Move Furniture

You may want to move the furniture around so you can allow for easier access to certain spaces for your guests. Maybe you aren’t going to have anyone sitting in the dining room, but rather will be leaving that table for food. Take the chairs out of that room and place them elsewhere so people can access the food on the table to use buffet style.

Give More Seating Room

You might want your family to be able to sit down, either for the service, or for the gathering in general. Bring up some folding chairs, have family members bring over what they have, or rent more chairs to make sure you have enough seating for those who might be in attendance.

Add Plants

People may send you flowers or plants for the service and you will want them to be featured in a nice spot for the service. Perhaps put some flowers or plants at the entrance of your home as a greeting to people and surround the guestbook or urn with more beautiful flowers.

funeral homes in Des Moines, IA

Make a Plan For Your Pet

If you have pets that usually wander the home, you might want to make a plan for them to be out of the way during the service. Have them in an upstairs room, for example, or ask a neighbor to take them for the day. There are more tips from funeral homes in Des Moines, IA if you will be having a service in your home.

Stages Of Grief Around Cremation Services

cremation services in Des Moines, IA

When you are going through the grieving process, there are a lot of emotions floating around. Those are going to come whether you have a traditional funeral service or cremation services in Des Moines, IA. One thing you need to know about the stages of grief that you may have heard about is that there are no real timelines on any of the stages. You might get stuck in one stage or you might fly through a stage. You could pass one stage entirely or go back and forth between two stages. Your grief is completely unique and you shouldn’t compare what you are experiencing to what anyone else is going through. Here are some of the stages and how to get through them if they come to you.

Getting Through Denial

This is generally one of the first stages you will feel, if you feel it at all. In this stage, you are denying that your loved one had passed on. The best thing you can do in this stage is find closure over the death. That means that you need to recognize that your loved one has passed on and they are not returning. You might want to see them before cremation or you may want to witness the cremation. That can help you come to terms with what has happened and it can help you move past denial.

The Pain Of Anger

Losing someone is never fair and you are quite possibly going to be angry over the situation. Why them? Why now? Why did they pass in the way they did? There are a lot of things to be angry about, but it’s not going to help anything. Try to find ways that you can move past the anger and into acceptance. Deep breathing can help or talking about your emotions. You can also vent your anger by going to the batting cages to hit some balls or getting your aggression out in other ways.

Bargaining Is Normal

Some people find that they do their best to bargain for their loved one’s life, but this stage is one that can really hurt and it’s never going to end up in your favor. There’s nothing you can offer to God or anyone else that is going to bring your loved one back. But feeling as if you would trade anything to have even one more day with them is a normal thing to feel.

Cremation services in Des Moines, IA

Deal With Depression

One of the most common things people feel when they are grieving is a deep sadness or depression. You might feel like there is no hope and that can be very overwhelming. Let your family comfort and support you and try to find hope in your life so you are able to move on with a new sense of normal. If you need grief support around cremation services in Des Moines, IA, contact the professionals at Iles Funeral Home for suggestions on where you can find what you need.