Tips For Visitation Services Posted on September 26, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes Since more people are having cremation services in Urbandale, IA, there aren’t as many visitation services to attend. Families can combine visitations and cremation with more of a full cremation service instead of direct cremation. Visitation can be done before the cremation process is completed. However, it’s more common to combine visitation with funeral services. Either way, if you are invited to attend a visitation, here are some tips to consider so you feel more comfortable with the proceedings. Come And Go As You Please You are going to see a range of times listed for a visitation service, unlike memorial and funeral services. That is because they are more of an open house situation. You can come and go as you please during that time frame. Most people stay between 20 and 30 minutes during that time. In fact, you don’t want to overstay of that can put pressure on the family as well. Come whenever you can during that time frame and stay long enough to say goodbye, talk to the family, and visit with a few others that might be there. Casual, Respectful Attire Is Okay Funerals are formal affairs and a certain level of clothing is expected. But when you attend a visitation, you can wear something casual, as long as it’s respectful. Many people stop in on their way to or from work or during a break, for example, and that works just fine. You don’t have to wear something formal or dark in color, but you still want the clothing to be conservative to remain respectful. There Are No Casket-Approaching Requirements Most of the time at a visitation, there will be an open casket. That’s not always the case, but the main purpose of a visitation is for people to see the person who died, get closure, and say goodbye. If you knew the person and you want to approach the casket, so be it. If you are coming to the visitation more to support the family, there are no requirements about approaching the casket. You can stay back, visit the family, and pass on your condolences. Even if you did know the person who died, if you are uncomfortable going up to the casket, you don’t have to. Talk To The Family Present One of the nice things about a visitation is that the immediate family is often there for the entire open house event. It gives them a chance to talk to people, gather support, and see more people than they might at the actual funeral. It’s customary to share your condolences at the visitation and to let the family know you are there. Gifts Are Acceptable You don’t have to bring a gift to the visitation, but the cremation provider in Urbandale, IA says that it’s never required. You can take something to the funeral instead, send something directly to the family’s home, or just allow your presence and support to be enough. If you do want to take something to the visitation, you certainly can.
Funeral And Cremation Facts You May Not Know Posted on September 12, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes You have probably attended funeral home or cremation services in Des Moines, IA in the past and perhaps you have even had to plan such services for a family member or two. But there are things that the experts know that you may not have recognized as of yet. When you are faced with more planning, or you want to plan your own services ahead of time, it’s nice to know some of the things that not everyone realizes so you can make the right decisions. Embalming Is Not Required You might think that embalming is something automatic that takes place after someone dies, but it’s actually a completely optional service. Most people use it if they are going to have a visitation for their loved one, and that makes sense. The purpose of embalming is to preserve the body for such things. But if you are having a closed casket, are skipping the visitation service entirely, or are going with direct cremation, there’s really no need to have embalming done. It can help you to avoid costs if you skip that service. Cremation And Funerals Can Co-Exist You might assume that if you have a cremation done, for yourself or a loved one, that you can’t have a funeral. The two are an either/or situation. But that’s not the case at all. Full cremation services allow you to have a visitation and funeral first, then followed by cremation. Or, if you go with direct cremation, which means no services beforehand, you can have a memorial service after that feels more like a funeral. Memorials Can Be Held Anywhere With funerals, people are often restricted to churches or funeral homes and those are always good locations for such events. But with memorial services, while you can still have them in those convenient locations, you can also hold them anywhere else you might like. Some families have started having them at home, in parks, and in any other location them appreciate. It’s nice to have those options to personalize the services. Eco-Friendly Options Are On The Rise Everyone is concerned about the environment today and you can take those concerns all the way to the end of life and do things in an eco-friendly manner where final services are concerned. You can, for example, get a biodegradable casket or urn that will dissolve or break down naturally in the earth. You can skip embalming to avoid putting harmful chemicals in the ground. There are lots of options and the funeral homes can go over them with you. Make sure you tell them that you want to stay as eco-friendly as possible and they will help to steer you in those directions. When you are working on final services for a loved one, or trying to plan your own cremation services in Des Moines, IA, it’s nice to know all of the details, including things you didn’t know before and not everyone else recognizes. It can help with decisions and confidence in making them.
Unique Containers For Cremation Services Posted on August 15, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes While cremation services in Urbandale, IA occur the same way every time, they are unique each time as well. They happen with different individuals and that is enough to make them special each time they occur. Even the most basic cremation package will come with a simple container for your loved one’s remains, but many families like to get an urn for their loved one to make the process more special or so that urn can function in different ways. While urns suffice and work well, there are also unique things you can put your loved one’s remains in to make things feel even more special. Here are a few options to consider. Container for Cremation Ashes Ideas There are many different types of containers that can be used for cremation ashes. Here are some ideas to get you started: UrnScattering tubeBiodegradable urnKeepsake jewelryCremation beadCremation necklaceCremation pendantCremation ringCremation braceletCremation keychain Wind Chimes If your loved one adored being outside, putting their remains in a wind chime that hands on your deck can be a nice way to go. You think of them every time the breeze blows across the deck and the wind chimes hit one another and play their melodic sound. A Plant Pot If your loved one adored flowers, plants, and other greenery, putting their ashes in the base of a pot and then planting something above it can be a nice memorial to them. You will think of them as you enjoy the new life that grows from the pot. Cremation Jewelry You might want to keep your loved one as close as possible in any way you can, and that could mean cremation jewelry is a good fit for you. You can place a small bit of your loved one’s remains inside the cremation jewelry piece and wear them close to your heart. Ornaments Ornaments often have a space inside them and you could place remains in those as well. You can give one to each family member to hang on their tree, or you can find a special place in your home to display the ornament year round. Stuffed Animals There are special stuffed animals that have urns in them or, you can place a small urn in any animal you choose. It can be a sweet way to keep your loved one close and it can give you something to hug when you miss them. Cookie Jar Some people are good at baking and if that sounds like your loved one, placing them in a cookie jar can feel like a good way to go. They can be situated on the top of your cabinets in the kitchen where they oversee anything you create in there yourself. A Musical Instrument Some musical instruments have natural places where you can place remains, like a guitar. If your loved one loved music, and perhaps a certain instrument, one like it can hold their remains and sit on display in memory of them within your home. If you are having cremation services in Urbandale, IA for a loved one, you can choose a variety of places to store their remains. There are unique options as well as regular urns to consider as you move forward into the future. Containers for cremation ashes FAQs What do you call the container for ashes? There are a variety of containers that can be used for cremation ashes. Urn is the most common term used to describe the container, however container, casket and coffin are also used. The container chosen is usually based on personal preference, although some states have regulations regarding the type of container that can be used. What size container do you need for human ashes? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the container you’ll need for human ashes will depend on a number of factors. The first thing to consider is how many ashes you’ll be dealing with – if you’re cremating a whole body, you’ll need a much larger container than if you’re just dealing with the ashes of a loved one. What is the right thing to do with cremation ashes? The most common thing to do is put them in an urn. The type of container you use may depend on your personal preferences or the wishes of the deceased. There are many different types of urns and containers available, so you should be able to find something that suits your needs.
Avoid These Mistakes In Finding A Cremation Provider Posted on August 1, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes You make mistakes on a daily basis, but you don’t want to make them when you are planning cremation services in West Des Moines, IA for a loved one. There are plenty of mistakes you could make, and you want to start off on the right foot by finding a good cremation provider who will meet your loved one’s needs and give them the honor they deserve. Here are a few common mistakes you could make and how to avoid them when you are trying to find a good provider. Choosing A Crematory Without Looking Into Funeral Homes There are many places that can help you to get your loved one the cremation services they need, including both crematories and funeral homes. It’s a mistake to choose a crematory automatically without looking into funeral home options. While crematories can give your loved one the cremation they need, cremation is all they do. If you decide you want further services, you have to go somewhere else to get them. When you work with a funeral home, you have all of the service options you could want in one place. You can still keep things simple, but you don’t have to. You have choices and the funeral home professionals can make happen whatever you want for your loved one. Picking A Provider Without Experience As you look at different funeral home options, you are going to want to choose a provider that has experience with cremation. New providers might do a fine job, but you don’t have any guarantees. When you are working on something this important, you want a provider that is tried and true and will do a good job because they have done the job so many times before. Making A Choice Without Examining Services When you choose a funeral home for cremation services, you definitely want to examine the services they offer so you can get a feel for the options. If you don’t look over the services, they may not have what you want and that could make things hard and more complicated later on. You want to know what services are available so you are able to ensure they have a wide variety and will have what you want, once you decide what that is. Not Comparing The Costs Involved If you don’t look at the costs of the provider, and compare those prices to others, it can be a huge mistake. You want to know what their prices are and whether or not they are fair and affordable. If they are, you can move forward. If not, it’s good to know that upfront so you can look at other providers to get the quality you want at a price you can afford. When you look into cremation services in West Des Moines, IA, there are plenty of providers who can help you with the process, but you want nothing but the best for your loved one and the rest of your family. Avoid mistakes so you don’t have regrets later.
Pros And Cons Of Full Cremation Services Posted on July 25, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes The cremation process is the same every time, but the timing of it can be different. You might want to have direct cremation services in Des Moines, IA, for example, and that happens soon after a person dies without any services beforehand. On the other hand, full cremation allows you to have a visitation and funeral service before the cremation takes place. Both will meet needs and both are honorable options. Here are some pros and cons of the full cremation process. Pro: Gives Traditional Aspects Full cremation allows you to go through with the cremation process, but it also gives your family some traditional aspects, which they might appreciate. You can have a visitation service first and get the closure you need before moving ahead with the funeral. Funerals have a lot of ceremonies involved and they can be very cathartic. You get the traditions you might want or your family might expect and then, you can go through with the cremation process. In a way, you get the best of both worlds. Con: More Expensive Option Cremation costs less than funerals and burial services, but the full cremation process is going to cost more than direct cremation. There are more services involved, like the visitation and funeral, and those are going to have costs attached to them. If you have a budget for it, it’s a great way to honor someone. Pro: Costs Less Than Funeral/Burial While full cremation costs more than a direct cremation, it costs much less than a full funeral and burial service. You do get some of the same services, but you need less than you would for a complete burial service, which will help you to keep the budget on track, perhaps. Con: Services Have To Be Fast Some people like direct cremation because it lets you put things off where the memorial services are concerned. That’s not the case with a full cremation. With full cremation, you have to have the visitation and funeral soon after the loved one’s death so the cremation can proceed within a few days. There’s a timeline on the cremation, which puts a little pressure on the rest of the services. If you are considering either full or direct cremation services in Des Moines, IA, it’s a good idea to take into account the pros and cons of each. Take a look at your budget and try and decide what you might like to do for your loved one. What does your family want? What do you feel you need to get closure and move forward? The professionals can walk you through the options and answer any questions you have. There are packages for each kind of cremation and you can consider which you can afford, which you like the look and feel of, and what you want to do in order to move forward. One of the best things about the options is that there’s no wrong answer. Both are honorable and respectful of your deceased loved one.
Pros And Cons Of Direct Cremation Services Posted on July 11, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes If you are thinking about using direct cremation services in West Des Moines, IA for a loved one, or even for your own pre-plans, it’s wise to learn all of the details. You might want to consider the pros and cons of the option, for example, and see which side wins. There’s no right or wrong reason to choose cremation, or even direct cremation, over other options. But here are some of the sides for and against the direct form of cremation to help you with the choice. Pro: Low-Cost Option Cremation overall is a much more cost-effective method than a funeral and burial service. Direct cremation, for example, is the most cost-effective. It’s the lowest cost option you can get when it comes to final services. If budget is of any concern, direct cremation can help you to accomplish meeting your loved one’s needs at a price you can afford. There’s nothing wrong with going for cremation just because you have a budget to stick to. It will still be an honorable choice. Con: No Chance To Say Goodbye In Person Some families might feel like with direct cremation happening soon after death, they didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to their loved one in the way they would have liked. There are no services before cremation happens since it is direct. That means no funeral and no visitation. Families might have the chance to witness the cremation, but the community as a whole won’t see your loved one to say that goodbye. Pro: Allows Tons Of Options Later Many people choose cremation in its direct form because of all of the options it brings to the table. It can free families up and allow them to have an option they might want after the cremation process is done. For example, it takes away the timeline pressures so families can have memorial services whenever they feel ready to move forward with plans. It also opens up final resting place options as people can scatter, bury, or even keep ashes. Con: Might Feel Too Fast Direct cremation does happen fast—within a few days of a person’s death. It needs to be something you are sure about before you sign on for it. Cremation of any kind is a permanent process that cannot be reversed. Your loved one has needs that have to be met and direct cremation can meet them, but it will be soon after their death. When you are thinking about different kinds of cremation services in West Des Moines, IA, there are reasons to go with full cremation and reasons to go with direct cremation. Both are honorable and respectful, you just need to figure out what works best for your family and what your loved one might have appreciated the most. Talk to the professionals, go over the packages, and see what feels like the best fit for everyone involved. They are there to answer any questions you have.
Handling Sudden Loss With Cremation Services Posted on June 20, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes Losing a loved one is never going to be easy, but when someone passes away in a sudden manner and you are shocked by the death, it can be hard to figure out what you need to do and how you are going to move forward. One thing you might consider for your loved one is cremation services in Urbandale, IA. Those services allow you to care for your loved one while you process the death. Here are some good points about that process. Care For Your Loved One In A Quick Manner When your loved one dies, even if it was sudden and shocks you, they still need final services. You may need to process your feelings and emotions, and that’s perfectly understandable. By using cremation, you are able to care for your loved one in a streamlined, quick manner. Once their needs are met, you can slow down with other aspects of the process and take your time. Put Off Services Until You Are More Ready Cremation allows you to care for your loved one up front but also lets you put other services on your own timeline. It’s nice to know that your loved one has what they need, but once the cremation is behind you, you can have a memorial service for your loved one whenever you want. Let your feelings settle in and come to terms with things before you jump into making those plans. It can help you to plan something special and give your family a chance to come together at a certain time. Spend Time With Family Instead Of Planning It is hard to deal with sudden death, and you have to make final service plans. Cremation is simple, and all you have to do is get a package for your loved ones that will cover everything they have to have. Funerals include a lot more decisions and a lot more planning. When you choose cremation, your loved one’s needs are met, and you can spend time with family instead of working on hard plans. Take Good Care Of Yourself You might be thinking more about what your loved one needs and tending to your family at the same time instead of worrying about yourself. However, when you are grieving and hit hard with news like this, you are going to want to care for yourself as best you can. You will be of more use to your family, and the emotions will feel that much more manageable when you eat right, sleep well, and exercise as normal. Enlist Professional Support Dealing with the death of a family member at any time is going to be hard. But if the death is sudden, you might want professionals to help you weed through your emotions. The funeral home helping you with cremation services in Urbandale, IA can give you grief counselor options as well as support group information so you can get the support you need to move forward in the right direction.
The Cremation Urn—Your Loved One’s Final Resting Place Posted on June 13, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes When a loved one passes away, you are going to want to figure out what final services you want for them. Cremation services in Des Moines, IA are certainly a viable option. They are honorable and respectful and used in about half of today’s cases. When you choose a cremation package, it will include everything your loved one has to have, all the way through a simple container. The container works fine to hold your loved one’s cremated remains, but it is littler more than a cardboard box. If you’d like something different, or perhaps something more personalized, choosing an urn can be a nice fit. Here are some things to consider How Much Of The Budget Can You Afford To Use? You are going to want to have a budget for your loved one’s final service as a whole. Much of that money will probably go into the cremation package you choose for them. But you will want to figure out how much of the budget you have available to put toward the urn. That purchase is going to be very important as it acts as a part of your loved one’s final resting place. It is also something that might show at a memorial service, so you want it to be nice. What Purposes Do You Have In Mind? Any urn is going to hold your loved one’s remains and contain them for you, but not every urn will serve every purpose you might have in mind. If you want an urn that will hold up well against the test of time because you plan to display it in a place of honor in your home, certain materials are going to be better than others. If, on the other hand, you plan to place the urn in the water for water burial, you want something that dissolves so the ashes distribute and you don’t harm the ecosystem. There are lots of different purposes and functions that urns can serve. What Was Your Loved One’s Style Like? Your loved one had a distinct style and when you look at their urn, you want to be able to think about them, not only because you know they are inside, but also because you feel the urn is something they would have liked. Think about their style as you look through the options so you can get something they would appreciate. What Size Do You Need? Urns come in a lot of different sizes. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all deal. You need to know what size your loved one needs, and that is calculated based on height and weight. The professionals can help you figure out what size you need and direct you toward the right options for you. As long as you get something that size, or larger, you are on the right track. Your loved one’s cremation services in Des Moines, IA are important to you and your family members and the right urn can make things feel just right for that special person.
Helping The Bereaved With A Sympathy Gift Posted on May 23, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes There’s nothing easy about someone passing on and leaving their family behind. When you know someone going through that, they might have cremation services in West Des Moines, IA for their loved one and you want to do what you can to support them through the grieving process. While nothing you say or do can bring their loved ones back, sending a sympathy gift can remind them that you are there for them and that you care. That, in itself, can help them to move forward, even in a small way. Here are a few things you might consider sending: Gift Cards To Various Places Gift cards are easy to get and simple to send, and they can be helpful to your friend and meaningful at the same time. You can send a card to a restaurant they enjoy so they can get fresh food whenever they need it. You could send a gift card to an area spa for a massage when they need to relax. You can also send them cards to help them treat themselves, like to a bookstore, a candle shop, or something else. The gift cards are thoughtful and they can help your friend get something for themselves whenever they have the time and can get out. A Grief Journal For Venting Emotions Some people enjoy journaling and when they are grieving, writing in a journal can really help the process along. They can write down what they are feeling, write memories of their loved one, or even write a letter of goodbye to that special person. They can look back on their entries later and perhaps see their progress in the grieving process. A Weighted Blanket For Easy Hugs Sleeping is sometimes a challenge when you are grieving and it can be hard to rest the mind. You might consider sending your friend a weighted blanket so they can cozy under it and perhaps feel like they are getting a hug, either from you or the loved one they lost. Weighted blankets can help them sleep better and get a little comfort at the same time. Sentimental Jewelry Jewelry can be a very meaningful gift and there are plenty of things you might send to your friend to memorialize their loved one and remind them of your friendship. You could send a locket, for example, so they can put a picture of their loved one inside it. An angel charm with their loved one’s birthstone on it that they can hang on a bracelet is also a nice idea. You know what your friend would like and the funeral home professionals can offer you ideas at the same time. When you hear that a friend is going through a hard time around cremation services in West Des Moines, IA they are having for a loved one who died, the professionals will care for their needs, but you will want to support them as much as you can as well. Sending a sympathy gift is a nice thing to do.
The Importance Of A Will With Cremation Services Posted on May 2, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes Paperwork is a part of life that not many people enjoy, but there are certain items that are highly important, like a last will and testament. Not everyone has a will in place, but once you reach adulthood, get married, have a family, and start a life, it’s important to get something written up. Eventually, you will pass on, have a funeral, or go through cremation services in Urbandale, IA, and having that will in place will help your family to navigate what comes next. Here are a few reasons that document is so important. Allow Your Wishes For Your Assets To Be Met Everyone has things they will leave behind, whether it’s a house, a bank account, certain possessions, or other such things. When you think about it, you want certain people to get those things. You may want your home to go to a certain family member while others get the money in your bank account and so on. Some possessions will be left up to them to divide and decide, but especially important things, like perhaps your wedding ring or another precious item, you want someone specific to have. When you have a will in place, you can get your wishes met once you are gone. Protect Kids You spent your life from the moment you had kids protecting them in every way possible. When you pass on, you are no longer present to protect them. However, when you leave a will behind, you can still do your best to protect them. You can designate who will care for them when you are gone and you can leave a trust and funds behind for their care. You can do your best to protect them in every way possible. Avoid Court Costs If you don’t take the time to write up a will, your estate will be in question and it could end up in the courts. Money from your estate will be used to figure out who gets what and that can be very trying for your family. Plus, there’s less left behind for them, too. When you have a will, what you want happens and you don’t have to worry about things getting stuck in the court systems. Appoint Someone To Take On Distribution You likely have someone in your life that you trust to handle thing. You can appoint them to be in charge of your estate when the time comes. They will distribute the things you wanted each person to have and make sure your wishes are followed. Plan Final Services In addition to a will, you might want to have a final service plan for yourself. You can plan your cremation services in Urbandale, IA in the future and when you pass on, all your family has to do is call the funeral home that holds the plans and whatever you wanted will take action. It’s another way to protect your family and set them free from burdens in the future upont your death.
