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.
Other Options For Funeral Home Gifts Other Than Flowers Posted on June 6, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes The most common gift that people send to funeral homes in Urbandale, IA for any final service is a flower arrangement. Flowers are always a nice gift and they are very thoughtful and meaningful. However, flowers wilt away and you might want your family to have gifts that will last longer. There are lots of other options to consider and if you are the one arranging the service, you can request certain things in lieu of flowers, if you have other ideas. Here are some of the many options you can consider. Gifts To Charity While flowers are nice, they are costly and they die away. Gifts to charity, however, can keep on giving and can be a great honor to your loved one and to your whole family. You might ask people to, instead of sending flowers, donate funds to a certain charity. Perhaps there was a charity that your loved one always donated to and you know they would appreciate others doing the same. Or maybe you choose a charity that pertains to an illness your loved one had to further research in that area. There are lots of good options. You could even leave it open-ended and ask people to donate to their own favorite charities in your loved one’s honor. Items For Non-Profits It might be a nice gesture, and an honor to your loved one, to collect items for a non-profit organization. If your loved one adored the fact that a local hospital gives teddy bears to sick children, have everyone bring a new bear so you can donate in bulk to that program. Try to do something that lines up with what your loved one would appreciate and when you donate to a non-profit in that way, you can’t go wrong. Final Services Funding Funeral services can cost a lot and even if you have cremation and a memorial, the basics might be beyond your cost reach. Ask people to donate funds to the family in order for them to be used to cover final services. People are often honored to help meet your loved one’s needs. If they know you need funds for the final services, they will likely be most generous. We all know how important it is to find the right gift for someone who has passed away. Flowers may be beautiful, but they don’t always fit what people need or want when dealing with their final arrangements; this can make sending flowers seem like an unacceptably insufficient gesture in some circumstances That’s why we offer our services of finding appropriate gifts from pre-owned furniture items such as tables and chairs – which will never have been used by anyone before! This way you’ll get maximum value out your funeral budget without compromising on quality. Volunteer Time Time is a precious commodity today and perhaps you would prefer for your friends to donate time instead of anything monetary or tangible. Suggest a certain non-profit in the area that takes volunteers or ask everyone to volunteer wherever they choose in your loved one’s hours. That kind of ‘donation’ can be just as precious and sometimes even more needed than offering funds and other donations. When you have to work with funeral homes in Urbandale, IA on a loved one’s final services, you get to decide upon every detail. One thing you might consider is asking for something else outside of flowers as a gift to honor your loved one and support your family. For someone who has everything, it is always important to show your love and respect for others. That’s why flowers are the perfect gift – they’re inexpensive yet meaningful! Funeral services can be very touching as well so make sure you attend if there’s a person in need of support or guidance during this difficult time. The professionals can talk through the options with you until you figure out what’s just right for you.
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.
Funeral Homes Help With The Budget Posted on May 16, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes Working with funeral homes in Urbandale, IA means that you have seasoned professionals on your side to help you with every bit of the process of planning and implementing final services. When planning for a funeral, it’s important to consider the budget and how much time you have. They are there to make sure your loved one gets what they need, first and foremost, but they are also concerned with your well-being. They are going to help you with every aspect of the process, including figuring out the budget pertaining to the service costs. Here are a few things they might suggest to help you with the budgeting aspect. Use A More Inexpensive Venue There are many ways you can save on the budget so you can offer more in other areas. One thing the funeral home might do is suggest that you stick to a venue that doesn’t cost that much. A funeral home is always an option for a service venue. They certainly won’t pressure you into that option, but they will want you to know it’s available for you, if you so choose. They might also suggest a local church. If you or your family member was a member of that church, you might be able to get free use of their building for the services. Choose A Package First Funeral homes have put together packages based on their experience. They know what is needed for these services and they want the planning process to be as easy and streamlined as possible on you. Choosing a package will give your loved one everything they have to have in order to get through these final services. When you have a strict budget, the funeral home will likely recommend that you choose a package you can afford. You then know your loved one’s needs are met and after that, you can add other things you can afford, if there is money left over. The most important thing to remember when sending flowers as a budget-friendly and thoughtful gift for someone who has passed away is that you don’t want them getting mixed up with any other kind of plant or bouquet. Let Family Help The funeral home will tell you that you need as much support as you can get. That might include monetary support from family and time, among other things. If you have people offer to help with certain cost elements, let them. If someone wants to cover the reception for you and host it, let that happen as well. Their help can get you further down the path you want to take and it can help you feel the compassion and support you need during this hard time. The most important thing to remember when sending flowers as a budget-friendly and thoughtful gift for someone who has passed away is that you don’t want them getting mixed up with any other kind of plant or bouquet. Keep Guests To Immediate Family Another thing you can do to keep costs down is make the services small. Invite only small family members and close friends and you can keep services intimate and small as well as less costly. You could livestream the services, however, if you want more people to be able to participate from a distance. If you need help with budgeting a final service, funeral homes in Urbandale, IA are there to offer you advice and options along the way. They want you to honor your loved one in the way you see fit.
Planning Nice Funeral Home Services Posted on May 9, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes While you might think that funeral homes in Urbandale, IA have limited options when it comes to funeral services, that’s really not the case. There are certain elements that are often involved with a funeral, but you can customize anything you want and ensure that your loved one is honored in just the right way. The funeral home offers plenty of options and all of them are respectful and will make for a nice service. Here are a few ways to plan something you feel is right for your loved one. Consider The Venue With Care While you can have a memorial service anywhere, there are limited places in which you can have a full funeral. You need professionals to help you move your loved one and not just anywhere will accept this kind of service. You can easily have the funeral at the funeral home, and many people do. It’s easy and convenient and you have the professional help you need on hand at all times. Once you tell the experts what you want, they implement those plans for you without question. Another location you could consider is your loved one’s home church. It can be comforting for people to honor them in a location they appreciated. Think Through The Music Music is often an integral part of any service, even a funeral. You can set the tone of the service through the music you play. Some people like to keep things traditional and stick with hymns and classical music. That’s a very nice way to go. But you could also have a family member or friend offer special music and a song your loved one adored. You can even play songs right from your ipod over the sound system in the venue. Listen to the lyrics to make sure they are fitting and consider the tempo as well. Do you want something more upbeat or something slower? It’s all up to you. Place Memorable Photos Your loved one will be present for the funeral in their casket, but you might also want people to be able to remember who they were during their lifetime through photos. You could put a big, blown-up photo of them at the front of the room near their casket and candids around the room on poster board. Put up family pictures, pictures of them with friends, and photos of them doing the things they loved. It can help everyone remember them for the good parts of their life, which can help the grieving process as a whole. Plan A Nice Reception When someone has passed away, it is important to plan ahead and be prepared. The best way for you or your loved ones’ finances can help with this process by creating a funeral budget that will allow the funeral expenses they may need in order following all necessary steps while still staying within what’s available without running into debt! You will want to think about what happens after the funeral service as well. You might process to the cemetery for a burial service and then, people often like to have a reception so they can spend more time with their family members and friends. Funeral Arrangements are the process of celebrating life and planning funeral for someone’s future. When someone has passed away, it is important to plan ahead and be prepared. The best way for you or your loved ones’ finances can help with this process by creating a budget that will allow the funeral expenses they may need in order following all necessary steps while still staying within what’s available without running into debt!They provide an opportunity to express grief or sadness about their passing, as well as honor them with flowers, etc. You might want a full meal for the people in attendance, or you might have snacks and drinks available so everyone can simply chat after the services at funeral homes in Urbandale, IA.
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.
Preparing Expectations For Funeral Home Services Posted on April 25, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes There are some things in your life that you just can’t know. They say knowledge is power, but there are some things that we cannot have power over. For example, you can’t have power over death. You don’t know when it’s going to happen, either to you or to family members. When you lose a family member, however, you can prepare for their services with funeral homes in Des Moines, IA. You can have that knowledge and go into the process with a sense of understanding that you know what is going to happen. Here are some of the things to expect so you can prepare for the upcoming services. Figure Out What You Want From The Visitation The visitation service is an open house that you can attend any time within the open hours. You don’t have to go for the whole time, but rather can stop in between the hours listed for the service. You can expect to see your loved one in their casket at the front of the room. Their closest family members will also likely be present. You don’t have to feel obligated to approach the casket. Rather, if you want to get closure and see the person up close, you can. But you can also stay back, talk to the family, and give them the support you want them to have. Decide what you want for the visitation or do what feels right when the time comes. Know that whatever you decide is perfectly acceptable. The Formal Funeral The funeral will occur at a certain time and you will want to arrive on time. Turn your phone off and dress in a conservative manner so you will fit in. At the funeral, you can expect people to be emotional and perhaps even to be crying. You will likely hear readings, songs, and a eulogy, among other things. The service will likely take an hour or so and after it is over, the family will be invited to process to the burial service. The Burial At The Cemetery Once you arrive at the cemetery, along with everyone else in a line that follows one after the other, you will watch the casket be carried to the burial plot and placed at the cemetery. You will likely hear someone speak for a few moments before the service closes. Some family may stay behind to say a final goodbye, otherwise, you can move on to the reception. The Reception Meal At the funeral, the person presiding over the service will likely inform the guests of the reception and invite those in attendance to join in on that as well. Once the burial is over, you can go to the reception, spend more time with the family, and have a meal in their honor. It may have been a while since you have services with funeral homes in Des Moines, IA and you might want to prepare for what is to come. Going into the services with the right expectations can help you to face things.
Memorials And Cremation Go Hand In Hand With Grief Posted on April 18, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes When you think of cremation services in Des Moines, IA, you might think of something direct that happens soon after death. The person going through cremation doesn’t have any services before the cremation occurs. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have something after the cremation for a loved one who is going through the process. In fact, memorial services more often than not follow a cremation service at some point. There’s no timeline on the process, but it can help to have a memorial process in order to move forward with grief. Here are a few reasons why. Get And Give Closure You and the rest of your family members are going to need closure in order to move forward with the grieving process. You might get that closure, and allow your family members to get it as well, through the memorial service process. You can recognize that your loved one is gone and is not coming back. That can be huge in moving your grief forward. Saying Goodbye Many people feel the need to say goodbye in order to move on with their life and to get past the initial grieving process. Saying those words out loud might help. Other people can say them in their heart as a part of the memorial service process. That service can allow you and your family to get that final goodbye in as you move into a new normal for your life. Access Family Support Your family might not come together very often, but when someone passes on, they will gather together in order to honor that person if you have a memorial service. You get the support you need from your family and from other friends. They also get what they need from you. Gathering your family together can mean a lot to you during this hard time. Your loved one is missing, but you still have a lot of people there who care about you. Send Your Loved One Off With Honor One reason some families go through the memorial service process is simply to give their loved one a nice send-off. You might feel like you want your loved one to get a certain level of honor at the end of their life, and that’s a nice reason to go forward with a memorial service. You can even have a life celebration, which can help you to go over the good times and celebrate a life well-lived. The memorial service can be all about your loved one and giving them the respect they deserve during this final time of their life. When you have cremation services in Des Moines, IA for a loved one who passed on, a memorial service may follow shortly after or sometime in the future. While you don’t have to have a memorial in order to have a cremation, those two things often go hand in hand to help your family grieve in the proper manner and to honor your loved one.
Putting A Cremation Service Care Package Together Posted on April 11, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes If you have lost a loved one, you know how hard the process is to go through. While you also know that there’s nothing you can say or do to take away a grieving friend’s pain, you still want to support them however you can around their loved one’s cremation services in West Des Moines, IA. You can attend the services, send flowers, put some money in a card, or even put together a cremation service care package. If you want to put together a package, here are some options to consider. Snack Items You want your friend to nourish themselves during this hard time and they might not be getting the meals they need at the right times. Include some snacks you know they enjoy that are healthy and filling. Perhaps some protein bars or trail mixes that they can easily grab and snack on between things. You can also put a few sweets in there to give them a treat that can help you to remind them that you know them well and know what they like. Relaxing Options Your friend might be stressed out during this hard time. Their plans can be overwhelming and they need to take time out to relax when they are able. Put in some bubble bath, lotion, a good book, a candle, and some other things that might help them to relax. Those items can help them to remember that self-care is important during this hard time. Favorite Colors If your friend has a favorite color, you might want to incorporate items in that color to show them that you care and are thinking of them. You know them well and it’s time for that knowledge to show off a bit. Put in a baby blue blanket, a card with blue colorings, or other items that feature their favorite colors. It will remind them that they have people out there who care enough about them to pay attention to even the little things. Gifts For Later While your friend is likely trying to concentrate on their family and the person who needs the cremation services right now, you might want to include things like gift cards for places they enjoy that they can use later. You know they like a certain restaurant or coffee shop and gift cards to those locations can give them something to look forward to as they heal and move forward with their life in their own way. Memories To Make Them Smile Did you see a certain movie together for the first time? Include a DVD of that film to make them smile. Place a picture of you with your friend in the basket, too, to remind them how many people they have standing behind them and supporting them through this hard time. Those memories can help them to smile and to move forward. Cremation services in West Des Moines, IA are hard to get through, but your friend has your support and the cremation care package will remind them of that.
The Importance Of Self Care Around Funerals Posted on April 4, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes There’s nothing easy about grieving, but the professionals at funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA are going to take care of your loved one as if they were their own. You need to understand that your loved one is in good hands and their needs are being met. While you are responsible for making sure they get that care, once they are in the funeral home’s hands, you know that they are getting what they need. You will have to let them go and focus on caring for yourself and the rest of your family members. Your own self-care is going to be very important around the planning and funeral home service as a whole. Here are a few things you are going to want to do. Eat You may not feel hungry when you are going through the grieving process and it can be hard to force yourself to eat. When you feel those hunger pangs, stop what you are doing and get a healthy meal. Snack on healthy items as well because you need food to be your fuel at this time. It’s important to give your body as much energy as possible because grief can sap that energy out of you. Rest Make sleep a priority and try to keep your schedule even and regular, if you can. Go to bed at the normal time and get up when you usually do. If you are having trouble sleeping, or feel overwhelmed and tired during the day, it’s okay to take a break from family and from the plans you are making and rest. Lie down, take a nap, or just listen to some music for a while to refresh your mind and your body. Fresh Air You might feel stressed out over the plans and that’s not a feeling that is unexpected, but it’s also not something you want to stick around. When you feel that stress, try to give yourself some space from the situation. Take a walk with your dog or with a family member. You can even just step out back and breath the fresh air in deeply. Take in the birds singing and the blue sky and it can help you put things into perspective nicely. Avoid Self-Isolating You will want time to yourself during this process, and that’s okay. But you might find yourself pushing people away and trying to be alone more often than not, and that’s not a good thing for you. You need family support and you will want to let people be there for you during this hard time. It’s in your best interest to be around others who support you, not to be alone all of the time. Once you have chosen funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA to work with, place your loved one in their capable hands and know that they are going to get what they need. Then, you can focus on your own grief and on self-care to get through this situation.
