Visitation Options And Details Posted on October 25, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes When planning services with a funeral home in Des Moines, IA for a loved one who passed on, there are always going to be options. There are also options around visitations and whether you are the person planning, or just someone who wants to attend, there are things you can consider about that part of the service. Here are some of the options you can choose between: Items To Wear You might feel like there is a certain dress code that is appropriate for a funeral, and that’s really the case. With a visitation, you have a lot more wiggle room and options. You don’t have to wear dark colors, for example. You don’t even have to dress in a formal manner. You might stop by the visitation on a break from work and just wear your work attire. You want to be respectful and should probably change if you have on a dirty t-shirt or ripped jeans, but there’s a lot of options of what you can wear to a visitation. You can always talk to a family member or the funeral home professionals to get deeper ideas. The Arrival Time For a funeral or even a memorial service, you want to be there a little before the start time so you are respectful to the family and don’t disrupt anything. For a visitation, it’s completely different. There are hours set and they are more of an open house. You can come any time between those hours and leave whenever you please. You don’t have to get there right at the beginning or stay all the way until the end. You come and go as you’d like, visit with the family, and move on with your day. How Long It Lasts Funeral services are usually around an hour in length and then, the family and friend group processes to the burial site for a short service there. Then, there’s sometimes a reception after that. Visitations are different. They are anywhere from 2-4 hours in length, normally, but you don’t have to stay that whole time. Only the immediate family will likely be present for the whole thing. You can come halfway through and stay for half an hour and that works just fine. In fact, you don’t want to overstay and burden the family. Viewing The Person When you get to the visitation, you will likely see the person at the front of the space. That doesn’t mean you have to go up any closer to them if you don’t want to. The decision as to whether or not you want to approach the casket is completely yours. Go over if you want to see them or need closure. If you don’t know them and came to support the family, or feel uncomfortable with the idea of getting closure for any reason, you can stay back and that’s just fine as well. Your presence there is what’s important. Funeral homes in Des Moines, IA can answer more questions. Call Iles Funeral Home at any time.
Pre-Planning Direct Cremation Has Benefits Posted on October 18, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes It can be hard to plan a final service for a family member who has passed on. You might not know what they wanted and you have to guess. You are emotional, at the same time. If you have ever been in that position, you might understand all that much better that planning your own cremation services in Des Moines, IA can be a real benefit to a lot of people. If you want to think about heading in that direction and planning your own direct cremation, here are some of the benefits you need to think about. No More Planning Burden Think about the time you lost that loved one and had to plan their final services. There was a lot of pressure on you. You were grieving and you had to make plans that met their needs and made the rest of your family happy, too. It’s a lot for anyone to handle. When you plan your own direct cremation ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about placing that burden on anyone else. You take the burden in advance and make the plans you want. Then, there’s no more burden for anyone when the time comes to use the plans. Pre-Payment Becomes Possible Some people will put funds into place for their own final services so family doesn’t have to worry about costs and that’s a very nice thing to do. But they don’t really have an exact idea as to what things are going to cost. When you plan out your direct cremation ahead of time, you know exactly what the costs are and you can take care of those costs in advance as well, if you want to. While it’s not required that you pay ahead, it takes that burden from your families as well and it also gives you today’s prices, which can be much lower than what they might be in the future. Get What You Want As you look through the options, you might know what you want for yourself at the time of your death. Direct cremation is simple, straightforward, and easy and it might sound like the ideal route to you. If you know that’s what you want, you can tell your family as much and they will likely want to follow your wishes. But planning things out means you will for sure get what you want. Your family will just call the cremation provider and the plans you put into place will take action. By planning ahead, you have peace of mind that whatever it is that you want will be what happens. Direct cremation services in Des Moines, IA, are permanent once they take place, but if you plan now and then decide a few years down the road that you want something else, that’s okay. The plans can be changes up until the moment you pass on. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help you make the plans you want to have in place for your future whenever you are ready.
Getting Through A Death With The Funeral Home Posted on October 11, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes When a loved one passes on, the grief can be immediate or it can sneak up on you. Either way, you are going to need help from the professionals in funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA to meet your loved one’s needs and to help you plan things out for their final services. These professionals are going to help you get through your loved one’s death and start the process of saying that final goodbye. They Offer Support And Compassion One of the first things you will notice about the funeral home is how supportive they are throughout the process. They know you need certain things, like compassion, as you work your way through the plans. That can be hard for some people to give, but it’s automatic for funeral directors. They are naturally compassionate people and they get a lot of practice at it, too. They are also going to support you through your decisions. They will give you the information you need to make choices and as you make them, they support you in them. You’ll feel good about the options you are putting together with their support. They Cover Your Loved One’s Needs It’s important to you, first and foremost, that your loved one’s needs are going to be met and that’s something you get right away with the right funeral home. Once you decide to use them, they are going to take care of transporting your loved one from the place of their death to their facilities. There, they can care for them with dignity as you decide what you want to do. You know your loved one’s needs are met and they are in good hands in the meantime while you plan. They Have Grief Resources Your primary concern right away might be caring for your loved one’s needs and getting your family what they need to get closure, say goodbye, and move forward. But at some point, you will need to focus on yourself and your own grief as well. The funeral home is going to be there for you through that also. They understand that every grieving process is unique and they have grief resources that might be suited to what you are going through. You can ask them for references for grief support groups, counselors, and other things to get through this hard time. Get Tips For Self Care The funeral home professionals are going to recommend that you care for yourself throughout this grieving and planning process. They want you to understand that while grief is never easy, it’s only going to be harder if you aren’t caring for yourself. They might recommend that you take breaks and rest, that you eat a good meal, and other things out of concern for your well being during this process. There’s nothing easy about working with funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA on final services for a loved one, but the professionals at Iles Funeral Home promise to be there for you through it all.
Is Livestreaming Cremation Services For You? Posted on October 4, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes While it might be hard to decide on cremation services in West Des Moines, IA for a loved one who has passed on, it can be even harder to decide what kind of memorial you want to have for that person. There are so many choices it might be overwhelming to choose what you want to do and get things planned out. In addition to the plans, you will want to consider the details on the outside, like whether or not you want to livestream the service. While that option can be very nice for some, it’s not for everyone. Here are a few ways to tell if it’s right for you: You Have Family Far Away That Can’t Attend You want your family to have the opportunity to honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit. While it would be nice if everyone was able to make it in person so you could all gather, that’s not always reality. You might have family that lives far away and just can’t make the trip at the right time. In order to include them in the services, you could consider livestreaming the services so they can be there, even from a far, to honor your loved one with you. This might be a benefit to them as well so they can get the closure they need and say that final goodbye in their own way. You Want Small Services, But Don’t Like Leaving Others Out There’s nothing wrong with having a memorial service that is on the small side. It can be very nice to be there with your small family group and have something intimate and lovely. However, you might feel bad about leaving certain people out of that mixture. Instead of feeling like you are excluding people who might want to be there, you may want to livestream the service to anyone outside the small group who might want to watch it. That way, everyone has a way to see what goes on and can attend virtually, if they choose. You Have Vulnerable Family Members Who Need Safety You might have a loved one who has cancer or an older individual in your family who just can’t handle getting sick. These people want to attend, but it’s just not safe right now. For them, livestreaming is a great option. You can have the service and ensure they are set up with the right options so they can watch things happen as they occur. They are safe, they get to ‘be there,’ and you aren’t worried about their health in the midst of the services. If you are considering livestreaming your loved one’s cremation services in West Des Moines, IA, it might be a good fit for your family. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home can talk to you more about that option as well as other additions you might want to tack onto the cremation packages we have available. We are here to help you honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit on your timeline.
Don’t Allow Regrets Over Cremation Later Posted on September 27, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes It can feel impossible to make plans for a loved one who has passed on and that’s completely normal. You may not know what they wanted and you have to guess as to what is best. Keep in mind that both traditional funerals and cremation services in Urbandale, IA are completely honorable and respectful. You just have to do what you feel is best for your loved one in your particular situation. There aren’t even any right or wrong reasons to choose one over the other. But you are going to want to avoid having regrets over those decisions later. Here are a few ways you can do that. Choose The Right Funeral Home Your loved one has immediate needs that have to be met and you will need help from a funeral home to do that. Some people rush forward and just call the first professionals they find, but that can cause regrets later. You’ll want to look into the options and ensure that the experts you choose have the services you want, have a good location, will treat you well, and will give your loved one everything they need. Choosing the right funeral home means looking at websites, reading reviews, making phone calls, and even visiting a few before you decide. It doesn’t have to take long, but you definitely want to check things out so you know you won’t regret your choice later. Check With Family About Cremation While you might be sure about the cremation option, you don’t want to regret that you moved forward with cremation only to discover that other people in your family weren’t okay with that option later. You might feel bad that you did something they didn’t like. Check with your family and see what they feel about cremation. If you are sure that’s what you want to do with your loved one for their final services, you can give your family a chance to ask questions and get details so they can come around to the idea. Cremation is permanent so you want to be confident about the option as you go into that service. Not Having a Memorial Service One nice thing about the cremation option is that once you have a loved one cremated, you erase the timeline. Their needs are met and you are able to do whatever else you want for them on any timeline you want to have in place. Some people aren’t sure what to do so they don’t do anything at all and that’s okay. You might regret not having a service later, but another good thing about cremation is that it’s never too late. You can have a cremation service at any time and honor your loved one however far into the future it might be. Cremation services in Urbandale, IA are honorable and respectful, but they are also permanent ad you want to be sure about them before moving forward so you don’t have regrets. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help you with the details.
Saying That Final Goodbye Posted on September 20, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes One thing you might feel the need to do once a loved one passes on is say goodbye to them, someway somehow. If you weren’t present at their death and you weren’t able to say goodbye prior to their passing, there are things you can do around the services you are going to hold at funeral homes in Urbandale, IA that can help you say what you need to say in order to move forward. Here are a few options to consider. Attend The Visitation Service The visitation is more of an open house and unless you are close family, you can come and go as you please during that service. When you attend, you’ll want to talk to the family that is there for the duration to extend your sympathies. While it’s not required to approach the casket, that might be something you want to do so you can view your loved one and get a few personal moments with them to say the goodbye you feel the need to say before you move forward with your life. Write To Them You won’t mail it, but writing a letter to your loved one to say goodbye can also let you get what you need out. You might feel like you are able to express yourself better in writing and take your time with what you want to say. You can even place this letter in the casket with your loved one, if you choose. You can also keep it, rip it up, burn it, or do whatever else you want to do with it. It can be a nice way to say whatever you want and get that out. Attend The Funeral Funerals are filled with rituals that are meant to help you get closure over a loved one’s passing. You can also get that final goodbye in, even if you say it silently in your heart as you watch the proceedings. Going to the funeral can help give you a sense of peace over the fact that you honored your loved one in a nice way as well. Visit The Cemetery That Day Or Later Funeral services often conclude at the cemetery where there is a shorter burial service. This service is another place where you can say goodbye. Perhaps family will take turns laying a flower on the casket and you can say goodbye then. Or, you might all throw a little dirt onto the casket. This service has a way of giving people closure and that chance at a final goodbye as well. You could also return to the cemetery later when you are alone and have a chance to speak to your loved one’s headstone to say what you want to say. There’s nothing easy about saying goodbye, but the services at funeral homes in Urbandale, IA give you lots of chances to do just that. If you are struggling with your words, or need help processing the death, the experts at Iles Funeral Home are here with grief resources and options.
You Can’t Attend, You Can Support Posted on September 13, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes Send A Donation You want the family to know you care about them and one thing you can do, other than sending the standard flower arrangement, is send money to them. Perhaps they need funds for the final services or maybe they have a charity in mind that they want to donate to in their loved one’s honor. Either way, they will appreciate your support. You can also send a donation right to a charity if the family has listed one that their loved one appreciates. You can also choose a charity you feel is fitting and let the family know what you have done in honor of the person who dies. Send A Note If you want to send money, you can send it inside a sympathy card, or you can just send the card and note if you don’t have money to spare or don’t feel led to do that. In your card, tell the family you are thinking of them and are sorry for their loss. You can also say you are sorry you couldn’t make it to the service, though you don’t have to expand on that with any reasons as to why you were absent. Provide A Meal Later Another common way to show your support is to provide the family with a meal later on, once the services are complete and they might be in mourning and unwilling to cook on their own. You can make a casserole that they can freeze and pull out whenever they need it. You could send groceries from an area store, or even contact a restaurant and order something for them to enjoy. Sending gift cards is another option as they can then get the food whenever they need it and use it that way. This is a nice way to be supportive, whether you live in the area or not. You’ll want to attend the cremation services in Des Moines, IA if you can to show your support, but that’s just not always possible. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home can help you with ideas and options of things you might do instead of attending to ensure that the family knows you are thinking about them and are supporting them through this hard time. Sometimes, even a simple phone call later can be nice.
The Reception After The Funeral Home Service Posted on September 6, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes If you have decided that you want to have a traditional service with funeral homes in Des Moines, IA, for your loved one, you may then want to have a reception after the funeral is complete. The reception is a more casual time that allows your family to eat, catch up, mourn together, and just spend extra time as a unit. You are all people who lost someone special and banding together during that time can be really helpful. Here are some details to help you pull everything together in time for the funeral. Let Someone Else Do It As you move through the plans for the final service, a friend, community member, church group, or someone else might step up and offer to host the reception for you. That’s a very nice offer and can take something big off your plate. You can tell them what you want included or just let them take care of things and appreciate whatever they end up doing. Book A Restaurant If you are having just a small group for the reception, you might want to book a private room in a restaurant your loved one liked. You don’t have to worry about food or everyone getting what they want. Everyone can order what they want in a private setting where you can be together, share memories, and spend time with one another. Bring Pictures Along It can be nice to pass around a photo album of your family that include your loved one. People can look through the books and remember some of the good times all of you had together. It might also bring up stories and memories that can be fun to share when you are in a setting that is less formal than the funeral service itself might have been. Consider Their Music If you are able to play music in the background, choose a playlist your loved one would have enjoyed. If they listened to nothing but country, playing that type of music will bring them to mind and help everyone remember them as you commiserate after the services and enjoy each other’s company for longer. Gather Food Options You could also approach the reception as more of a potluck and have certain people bring favorites your loved one adored. Someone might cook a casserole they loved and someone else could bring their favorite dessert. Having some of their items at the table along with the people who loved them can feel very special. You are going to want to customize and personalize the services you have at funeral homes in Des Moines, IA for your loved one and that is also true for what you do for the reception after the services. If you have questions about the types of things that people usually do, or you want ideas for more unique things, the professionals at Iles Funeral Home can help. We know the area well and can give you options for restaurant and other venues that are good for receptions after funerals.
