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

Making Funeral Home Pre-Plans With A Loved One

funeral homes in Urbandale, IA

If you have ever thought about making your own final service plans, you understand the mindset your loved one has when they say they want to contact funeral homes in Urbandale, IA to make their own final plans. There are things you can do to help them along the way so they get the peace of mind they deserve while taking burdens from your family when their time to die comes.

Recommend Funeral Homes

If you have already made your own final service plans, you might want to recommend the funeral home you used to your loved one if you appreciated the job they did with you. If you haven’t made plans, you may know someone who has and you can ask them about the professionals they used. Getting recommendations from someone you trust that you can pass along to your family member can help them to get what they need in an easier manner. You can also research funeral homes online, read reviews, and let your family member know what you learned so they can take things from there.

Learn Advantages Of Various Services

Even if your loved one knows they want to make plans in advance, they may not know what those plans should be just yet and that’s okay. You can do a little research on the advantages of cremation services and the benefits of funeral and burial services. Once you have that knowledge, you can pass it along to the loved one making the decisions. Something you have found out might spark something in them and help them to go one direction over another with confidence.

Help Them With The Numbers

It would be smart of your loved one to look at their budget when they are making these plans. If they want to pay in advance, they certainly can do so. In those cases, the budget will make a big difference in the plans they make. Even if they are leaving the costs to loved ones to cover later, they may not want to plan something that is going to cost those people a bunch of money. If you are good with numbers, help your loved one set a budget and be with them along the way to keep things in that parameter.

Go Along On Funeral Home Visits

funeral homes in Urbandale, IA

If your loved one wants to visit some of the funeral home professionals to find out more about their services, you can go along with them and help them to get the answers they need. Being a second set of eyes and ears can help you to point things out to your loved one later if they don’t remember the details.

One of the nicest things you can do for your loved one as they plan is simply support them along the way. When they make decisions with funeral homes in Urbandale, IA, let them know you appreciate what they are planning. Ask them what else you can do to help and work with Iles Funeral Home to give them everything they need to make these plans.

The Needs That Go Along With Cremation Services

cremation services in Urbandale, IA

One of the things that you will be concerned with the most when a loved one passes on is their needs. They can no longer care for themselves and you want to ensure that their needs are met. If you choose cremation services in Urbandale, IA, here are the things your loved one is going to need as a part of the process.

Transportation To The Cremation Facility

Once you learn that your loved one has died, you are going to have to contact a funeral home and ask for their help. The first thing they are going to need is transportation to the cremation facility. The professionals, once you hire them, will take care of that transport without any further involvement from you. They will contact the people holding your loved one, perhaps the hospital or nursing home, and coordinate things so you don’t have to worry about your loved one’s transport, or the care they will get in the meantime.

Interim Care

It can take you a little time to figure out what you want to do for your loved one. Even if you know what you want, you will have to get the paperwork in order, copies of the death certificate, and so on. While those things come together, your loved one is going to need care from professionals who know how to treat the deceased. When you hire a reputable funeral home, you know they are going to get what they need in the interim.

The Cremation Process

After you get the death certificate, sign the cremation consent forms, and prepare your family for what is going to happen, the cremation process can proceed. This is the biggest need your loved one has after their death—the need for a final disposition method. The process is honorable and respectful and can take place a few days after your loved one’s death. If you go with direct cremation, no services will take place before the cremation, but you can do something for them afterward if you want.

An Urn Of Some Kind

Once your loved one’s remains are cremated, they are going to need a container of some kind for their ashes. No matter what cremation package you choose for them, even if it’s simple and straightforward, it will come with a simple container for remains. You can also choose an urn of any kind if you so choose. The funeral home has options, but you can also look at outside vendors as options.

cremation services in Urbandale, IA

When you consider cremation services in Urbandale, IA for a loved one who has passed on, you know they have needs and those services will meet those needs, but you might wonder what the needs are. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help you understand and meet those needs so your loved one can get what they deserve. You want to honor your loved one and we will follow whatever plans you want to put into place for them in a respectful manner.

A Pre-Planning Guide For Cremation Services

cremation services in Des Moines, IA

Planning final services for a family member who needs those things right away and planning cremation services in Des Moines, IA for yourself are two different things. While you may have planned final services in the past, or perhaps you haven’t, planning things for yourself are different. It’s nice to have a guide in place so you can make the plans you need to make and have peace of mind that things are ready. Here are some steps to take:

-Choose The Cremation Provider

If cremation services are what you want, you will have to choose a cremation provider to work with you on those final plans. Since you have time on your side, you can research providers and that can help you to feel like you have the right fit when you decide to move forward. Look at their websites, read reviews, and make some calls to have confidence in what you choose.

-Look At Packages

Cremation providers are going to have cremation packages available for you to look over, and that can really help you with the initial decisions. These packages include everything you have to have for the process. Since they are all-inclusive, you can get a package and that’s all you need. Some packages are simple and basic while others have more to them. Think about what you need, and also what you want for your loved ones when that future becomes reality.

-Look Over Additional Options

After you choose a cremation package, you will want to look over and consider the other things that you can add onto that package, if you choose to do so. Think about adding an urn, for example, instead of the simple container the cremation provider will give your family. You can also plan a memorial service, dictate the final resting place, and anything else you want them to do for you when that time comes.

-Consider Pre-Payment

Those who like to plan their own final services ahead of time often also like to pay for those services at that time, and that can be a huge thing for your family as well. When you pass on, well into the future with any luck, your loved ones don’t have to make any plans. They also know just what you want and they don’t have to guess about it. They also don’t have to worry about paying for those plans because you have already done that as well. Paying now relieves them of that burden, but it also saves you money. You get to pay today’s prices and the services will never cost more, even if prices skyrocket in the future when you actually use the plans.

cremation services in Des Moines, IA

-Inform Your Family

As you make plans for your own cremation services in Des Moines, IA, or once the plans are in place, you might want to let your family in on what you are planning. They need to know that Iles Funeral Home holds the plans. And knowing what your plans are can help them to prepare for the future as well.

Tips For Bringing Children To Funeral Home Services

funeral homes in Des Moines, IA

When you hear a certain person in your life has passed on, you might automatically want to attend the services the family is going to have at funeral homes in Des Moines, IA. However, if you have a child, or even children, things are more complicated. Actually, everything in your life is more complicated. Here are some tips to help you handle the circumstances in a way that will work for everyone.

Tip 1: Take Children Who Can Stay Quiet And Still

Before you get into taking your child with you to the funeral home, you will want to think about how your child will handle the situation. Funerals are generally somber and straightforward. You know your child will need to be quiet and sit still. How will they handle that? If you feel like your child is used to those situations, (perhaps you attend regular church services) then they would behave well and you are confident they could handle it. On the other hand, if your child is always on the go, you might want to avoid taking them to the service so they don’t disturb you or, worse yet, other people.

Tip 2: Prepare Your Kids For The Services

If you decide that your child can handle the services, you will want to prepare them for what is going to happen so they know what to expect. Many children, and even adults, have a fear of the unknown. They will likely handle the services better if they know what is going to happen. Let them know that they will see the person in their casket. That you will likely sing songs, hear readings, and hear someone speak about the person who died. That preparation can help them do well at the service itself.

Tip 3: Consider Entertainment

Even if your child is good at sitting still, they might eventually get bored and you don’t want them bothering you or those around you. Think about things you can bring along with you to entertain your child so they don’t start talking or fidgeting. Bring a coloring book and crayons or a picture book they can look through. You don’t, however, want to hand them your phone to play games on. That can be distracting to others and you never know when they might turn the volume on and make noise.

Tip 4: Sit In The Back

funeral homes in Des Moines, IA

Even if you feel your child will do well, you can’t predict when they will have to go to the bathroom or something else might happen. It’s best to sit in the back so you can make a quick exit without disturbing others.

If you want to attend services for someone you know at funeral homes in Des Moines, IA, you will have to think about taking your child, and how you will pull that off. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help you through whatever situation you are in surrounding a friend’s death. Give us a call for advice any time.