Funeral Home Employees Can Help Posted on February 21, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes When you contact one of the funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA, you know that you are getting help for a loved one who has passed on. They have needs that they cannot address themselves, but you can take care of those things for you with the help of the professionals you have chosen. There are a number of things the experts are going to help you with and if you need more than they offer upfront, just ask. Here are some of the things you know you will get as you traverse this difficult process. A Free Consultation The first thing you can get from the funeral home professionals is a free consultation that can help you to decide if you want to use those experts for your loved one’s final services or not. This consultation can take place over the phone or in person at the funeral home. If you want to meet with them in person, you can also take a tour of their facilities, which can help you decide what you want to do as well. That consultation allows you to get the information you need from those professionals to help you move forward. Time To Decide Whether you know what you want for your loved one right away or not, the funeral home professionals are going to give you the time and space you need to make those important decisions. They won’t pressure you into anything and they also won’t push you to decide anything before you are ready. You have the opportunity to ask them anything you need so you can make the right decisions at the right time. Answer Questions Whether you have organized final services yet or not, you are going to have questions that you need to have answered and that’s something you can get from funeral home professionals at any time. They want you to have the information you need to make the right decisions every step of the way. Ask questions over the phone, in person, or by email and that can help you to get what you need. Setup For Services After you decide what you want for the final services, the professionals can set the service room up for you and ensure that everything is in order. They want you to have time to grieve and be with your family on the day of the service and they don’t want you to have to worry about arriving early for any kind of set up. Run Things Behind The Scenes While the funeral or cremation service is taking place, you are going to want to know that things are being handled. If anything comes up, the funeral professionals are going to take care of things behind the scenes. You might not even know there was an issue since they are going to handle as much as they can for you. The professionals at funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA want to handle as much as you want or need them to. Simple ask and they are there for you.
Talking Reasons Behind Your Cremation Plans Posted on February 14, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes Thinking about the end of your life can be pretty hard, but if you have decided that cremation services in Urbandale, IA are what you want for yourself, then you can make those plans with a funeral and cremation provider at any time. However, either before or after you put plans into place, you might want to figure out how to talk to your family about your final wishes. While they should respect what you want, it is often nice to have reasons in place to go that direction so you can explain what you want—and why. Here are a few reasons you might like the idea of cremation. It’s A Low-Cost Option Funerals cost quite a bit and if you like the idea of saving money instead of spending it, cremation services might be the right choice for you. Many people that plan their services ahead of time also want to pay for those services so their family members don’t have to worry about the plans or the costs. You may only be able to afford cremation and that’s okay. Or, even if you can afford either, you might like the low-cost element so you can save money to give to your family in the future instead of spending it on a final service. The Timeline Flexibility Traditionally, people are used to having final services a few days within a person’s death. That is what has to happen with a funeral. However, if you decide to be directly cremated, you can take the timeline away on the rest of the process. You might ask your family to have a memorial service a month down the road, for example, so they can set a date and plan ahead, traveling where they need to be in order to be together. That flexibility can be a huge benefit to your family in the future. Final Resting Place Options Funerals end with a cemetery burial and there’s no way around that. If you like other ideas instead of a funeral and burial, there are other resting place options that can go along with cremation. You might choose cremation just because you don’t like the idea of burial. You can then look over the other options and choose something that makes you feel more comfortable. Life Celebrations Are Nice If you want people to celebrate your life instead of mourn your death, you might want to go with cremation so you have that option. Funerals are generally somber and sad, but memorial services can be whatever you want them to be. You can ask people to have a casual service that celebrates the good times they had with you instead of mourning the loss with something traditional and sad. In the end, your wishes for cremation services in Urbandale, IA are what they are and with any luck, your family will be on board and will want to follow your desires. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help you set up the options in advance.
Which Funeral Home Is For You? Posted on February 7, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes If you have decided to plan out your own final services, there are plenty of things to think about. One of the first things you are going to consider is which one of the funeral homes in Urbandale, IA you are going to use to help you with the process. There are lots of options on the market and you want to think long and hard about which one is right for you. Since you are planning, you have time on your hands and that can help you to research, make calls, and visit the experts until you find just what you are looking for. Here are some items to look for in a funeral home that are right for you. Fair, Affordable Prices Any funeral home you consider should be completely open and honest about their prices. You deserve to know what they charge for things before you agree to using their services. They will hand over price lists whenever you ask and explain them to you in full. You need these prices so you can figure out who has fair, affordable prices and who is charging too much or too little. A Good Location You are going to want a funeral home with a convenient location. That means the funeral home is local, and perhaps located near the cemetery you want to use. It might be near restaurants and hotels so families can have a good home base for final services. Location convenience is subjective, and you need to figure out what works well for you and your family. Services You Appreciate If you know what you want for your final services, you are going to want to find a funeral home that offers those services. If you aren’t sure what you want yet, that’s okay, too, but you will want to find a funeral home with a long list of options so when you do decide what you want, they will likely have that as an option. Compassion For Your Family While you may not need compassion all that much right now since no one has passed away, you want funeral home professionals that are going to be compassionate to your family members. They are going to need that support when you pass on and they need to know that the people working on your services are treating you right through the way they treat the rest of your family. You don’t need professionals who will make plans for you, but rather funeral homes in Urbandale, IA that will support whatever you decide and implement those choices for you when the time comes. With time on your side, you can take as much time as you want to think through your decisions. Once you find the right funeral home to help you with the options, you can move forward with the choices from there. Contact Iles Funeral Home and ask any questions you have about the process so we can help you get what you need moving forward with your pre-plans.
Funerals Help With Grieving Posted on January 24, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes There are a lot of things you can do to help yourself through the grieving process and funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA are there to aid you in those processes. Many families like to have final services for their loved ones, not only to address that person’s needs, but also for the family members who are left behind. Here are some of the things that funerals and other final services can do to help you with the grieving process. Get Closure Over The Death One thing you are going to have to have in order to move forward with a new sense of normal in your life is closure over your loved one’s death. You need to understand that they are gone and not coming back. That closure can come in a variety of ways, but one way you might get it is through a final service. When you see your loved one in their casket at the visitation or funeral, for instance, you might recognize the truth and gain access to that closure. Say That Final Goodbye It’s hard to let a loved one go unless you have said goodbye. Some people are able to say that goodbye before the person passes on, but that’s not always the case. If you need to say goodbye, you might get that chance at the funeral service. You can say goodbye to them in their casket, or even in your heart when you go through the motions of the service. Saying goodbye can help you to let go and move on with your own life. Get Family Support Funerals are a good time for family to gather. You might see people you haven’t in a long time and you can get the support you need from the people who care about you the most. While no one can replace your loved one, having family around you can help you to see what you still have going for you and who you still have loving you. Find Comfort In Traditions Funerals go through certain traditions and rituals. That can be comforting to you and other family members. You know what to expect. Perhaps you have gotten a certain level of comfort from funerals in the past and this time, you are looking for a similar piece of comfort. You are honoring your loved one in a nice way. Have Funeral Home Support The funeral home is going to be there for you every step of the way. They want you to be able to honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit. Their support can mean a lot to you in the planning process, but also as a part of the funeral service. You know they are there, behind the scenes, making sure everything is going to work well for your loved one and the rest of your family. When you work with funeral homes in West Des Moines, IA, you are honoring your loved one and getting some grief support for you as well. Contact Iles Funeral Home for help.
Is Cremation The Right Option? Posted on January 17, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes When you are trying to figure out what you want to do for a loved one, it’s good to know that there really are no wrong choices. Funerals and cremation services in West Des Moines, IA are completely honorable and respectful. While they are different in many ways, the one way they are completely equal is in their honorability. You really can’t go wrong, which ever you choose, but you still want to do what you feel is the best for your loved one. Here are a few ways to tell whether or not cremation is the right option for your situation. It Fits The Budget Cremation is going to cost less than a funeral service, hands down. The biggest reason for that is because there are far fewer products and services necessary for this type of method. You don’t have to have a casket, a cemetery plot, a headstone, embalming, and so on. You may more easily be able to afford cremation or, you might only be able to afford cremation. If cremation fits the budget, there’s no reason not to choose it. It’s okay to choose to go that direction because of your budget parameters. The Options Are Varied You have likely attended a funeral in the past and you know what kind of services those require. But cremation services are different and you can do a variety of things with them. Once the cremation process is complete, you can do whatever you want for the memorial service—and at any time as well. The options are varied and that might help you to choose cremation because you want to do something different for your loved one than you would with a funeral. The Timeline Needs Adjusting You have to have everything ready for a funeral within a few days time after your loved one passes on. But if you go with cremation, you can get the cremation finished and then, do whatever you want in terms of the timeline. If you want more time for family to travel before the memorial service or you’d like some time yourself to process things before you jump into plans, having cremation is a good answer. The Final Resting Place Can Be Anywhere Burying a loved one in a cemetery is a nice way to go, but if you want something else for them, perhaps something that feels more special and unique, you can go that direction with a cremation service. You are opening the door to an ash scattering in a variety of locations. You can keep your loved one in your home or do any number of other things for them. When you are thinking about going with cremation services in West Des Moines, IA, the professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to answer your questions in full. We want you to be comfortable with whatever you end up choosing. We will support your choices and implement whatever you’d like to plan to honor your loved one.
Preparing Your Home For A Memorial Posted on January 10, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes There are many locations in which you can have a memorial services for a loved one who has passed on. Many families like to have that service in funeral homes in Des Moines, IA because the professionals are there to help with the details and that can be really comforting. But you can also have the service in your home church, in a park, or even in a family home. If your family has asked for you to host the memorial in your house, here are some things you might want to do to prepare. Deep Clean The Home One of the first things you are going to want to do is a deep clean on your home. You want everything to be clean and fresh for your family members and friends. Stock the bathroom with tissues and toilet paper, vacuum the floors, clean the blinds, remove dust from every surface and so on. If you are also grieving, you might want help with this cleaning process. You can have other family members come in to help or you might even allow your friends who want to help to come in and get things ready for you. Organize The Cords Do you have any cords from lamps that traverse the room? It’s wise to move those out of the way so you don’t have anyone tripping over them. Unplug those items and move the cords to the side. If you don’t have options on moving or unplugging the cords, make sure they are covered with rugs so you don’t have any hazards in the way. Move Furniture You may want to move the furniture around so you can allow for easier access to certain spaces for your guests. Maybe you aren’t going to have anyone sitting in the dining room, but rather will be leaving that table for food. Take the chairs out of that room and place them elsewhere so people can access the food on the table to use buffet style. Give More Seating Room You might want your family to be able to sit down, either for the service, or for the gathering in general. Bring up some folding chairs, have family members bring over what they have, or rent more chairs to make sure you have enough seating for those who might be in attendance. Add Plants People may send you flowers or plants for the service and you will want them to be featured in a nice spot for the service. Perhaps put some flowers or plants at the entrance of your home as a greeting to people and surround the guestbook or urn with more beautiful flowers. Make a Plan For Your Pet If you have pets that usually wander the home, you might want to make a plan for them to be out of the way during the service. Have them in an upstairs room, for example, or ask a neighbor to take them for the day. There are more tips from funeral homes in Des Moines, IA if you will be having a service in your home.
Stages Of Grief Around Cremation Services Posted on January 3, 2022 by ilesfuneralhomes When you are going through the grieving process, there are a lot of emotions floating around. Those are going to come whether you have a traditional funeral service or cremation services in Des Moines, IA. One thing you need to know about the stages of grief that you may have heard about is that there are no real timelines on any of the stages. You might get stuck in one stage or you might fly through a stage. You could pass one stage entirely or go back and forth between two stages. Your grief is completely unique and you shouldn’t compare what you are experiencing to what anyone else is going through. Here are some of the stages and how to get through them if they come to you. Getting Through Denial This is generally one of the first stages you will feel, if you feel it at all. In this stage, you are denying that your loved one had passed on. The best thing you can do in this stage is find closure over the death. That means that you need to recognize that your loved one has passed on and they are not returning. You might want to see them before cremation or you may want to witness the cremation. That can help you come to terms with what has happened and it can help you move past denial. The Pain Of Anger Losing someone is never fair and you are quite possibly going to be angry over the situation. Why them? Why now? Why did they pass in the way they did? There are a lot of things to be angry about, but it’s not going to help anything. Try to find ways that you can move past the anger and into acceptance. Deep breathing can help or talking about your emotions. You can also vent your anger by going to the batting cages to hit some balls or getting your aggression out in other ways. Bargaining Is Normal Some people find that they do their best to bargain for their loved one’s life, but this stage is one that can really hurt and it’s never going to end up in your favor. There’s nothing you can offer to God or anyone else that is going to bring your loved one back. But feeling as if you would trade anything to have even one more day with them is a normal thing to feel. Deal With Depression One of the most common things people feel when they are grieving is a deep sadness or depression. You might feel like there is no hope and that can be very overwhelming. Let your family comfort and support you and try to find hope in your life so you are able to move on with a new sense of normal. If you need grief support around cremation services in Des Moines, IA, contact the professionals at Iles Funeral Home for suggestions on where you can find what you need.
Cremation Services For Musicians Posted on December 27, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes You enjoy music, most people do, but perhaps you just flip the radio on in your car or at home when it’s too quiet. You haven’t made music your life. It’s possible that you have one or more musicians in your family, though, and when you are tasked with creating cremation services in Urbandale, IA for one of those musical people, you may want to do things differently for them than you would an average music enjoyer. Here are some options to consider when you make the plans. Display Certain Instruments If your loved one was musically inclined and talented, they might have played one or more instruments. You can display those instruments at their final services to remind everyone about the music they loved. People might remember seeing them play that certain guitar you have at the front of the room and you can even place pictures of them around with that instrument in their hands to illustrate the point further. Play Their Songs If your loved one had songs they loved to play, there might even be recordings of them out there playing that music. If so, using those songs as the background for the service, or even as an integral part of the service is a great way to honor them. If you don’t have recordings, you can still play the songs you know they appreciated and loved. You could even incorporate special music with those songs to honor their love of those tunes further. Invite Other Musicians Musicians understand other musicians and it’s likely that your loved one had a circle of friends who loved music as much as they did. Perhaps they played in a community orchestra, had a band, or sang in the choir at church. Make sure the other people who loved music alongside your loved one are invited to their service. They would be happy to have them there. You could also use these individuals as insiders into what your loved one adored. They might even be able to provide some special music they know your loved one would appreciate. Consider An Instrument As A Resting Place While urns are the standard resting place for cremated remains, they are certainly not the only option. In fact, for a musical person in your family, it might feel more right to have them reside inside an instrument they adored. Many instruments have natural holes that can easily hold ashes. You could place their ashes inside a guitar, for example, and then hand that instrument on the wall of your home in a place of honor. There are plenty of other options to consider, depending on what your loved one liked the most. When you are going to have cremation services in Urbandale, IA for a musician, the professionals Iles Funeral Home are here to help you create something special for your family and for the person who passed on. We want you to be able to honor them and the things that they loved the most during their lifetime, which just might be music.
Reputation Is Important In Funeral Homes Posted on December 20, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes No one wants to have to work with one of the funeral homes in Urbandale, IA because it usually means that a loved one has passed on. However, when it comes down to it and you need that kind of help, you are going to want to ensure that your loved one is in good hands. It will give you peace of mind to know that their needs are being met and that they are being treated with the utmost care and respect. Here are a few ways you can find funeral home options with high reputations. Ask Around For Recommendations Many people in the community don’t have to use funeral homes very often. You may have never been in charge of planning services yourself in the past. That is a good thing because it means your family members are healthy and alive. However, when you do need a funeral home, you don’t know where to start in finding one with a good reputation. One of the best things you can do is go straight to people you trust who have used funeral homes in recent years. Ask them about their experiences. Their recommendations can help you trust a funeral home based on the things they say about them. Look At Outside Reviews Looking at funeral home websites can tell you a lot about the funeral home’s services, location, history, and other such things. It’s important to look at those items. But you aren’t going to be able to learn the full truth about what people think there because, of course, they are only going to put up comments that are positive. Luckily, there are plenty of other review sites and people will be blatantly honest about their experiences. If they have a wonderful experience, they’ll say so. If something went wrong, even something minor, they’ll likely bring that up, too. If you can’t find anything negative anywhere, that’s a great sign about the funeral home you are looking into. Check Social Media Posts Most companies, even funeral homes, have social media accounts and that is a great thing to look into when you are trying to figure out what type of funeral home you might be dealing with. Check into their recent posts, but also scroll back a bit. Do they have anything posted that makes you feel uncomfortable? Or are all of their posts tasteful and nice? IF you appreciate their social media, that means they are really trying to do their best for the community and that will show up in their services for your loved one as well. You might feel rushed to find a funeral home in Urbandale, IA when a loved one passes on because they have needs and you want to meet them. But you should always take some time to look into reputation so you can trust the experts you end up hiring. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to answer any questions you have to put your mind at ease. Your love done will be safe with us.
Worst Decisions You Could Make At Funeral Homes Posted on December 13, 2021 by ilesfuneralhomes Funeral homes in Des Moines, IA that have been serving the community for decades have seen all sorts of families come through with all sorts of situations. They have also seen services go perfectly and they have seen families make mistakes that they regret later. With that experience, they are there to help you, in whatever situation you are in, avoid some of the worst decisions others have made in the past. Here are some of those bad decisions and why you want to guard against them. Ignoring The Person’s Wishes Your loved one made it very clear that they wanted to be cremated so their ashes could be spread in a certain location. They may not have made their final plans themselves, but they trusted their family to carry out their final wishes. One of the worst decisions you can make is to go against that final wish and have a funeral and burial for your loved one, despite what you know they wanted. You will likely have regrets later and if any of your other family members knew what your loved one wanted and know that you went against it, there could be trouble there as well. It’s always best to honor what a person wanted if you know what that was. If you aren’t sure, the best you can do is guess based on what you know about them. Not Having Final Services Your loved one has certain needs and it’s best to meet those first. But once you have their needs lined up and met, you can have a final service for them, if you so choose. It is usually a bad decision to do nothing at all. You don’t have to go all out with a huge funeral that is open to the public. You can even have a small memorial with just family in your home. Having something to honor the person and to say goodbye is usually the best way to go. Overspending Your Comfort Level It’s always best to have a budget in mind for your loved one’s final services and once you have that cost parameter lined up, it’s best to stick to it. If you choose a bunch of expensive things because of your emotions and because you want the best for your loved one, that’s a bad decision to make. You will regret it later when you struggle to pay for what you lined up. Instead, let the funeral home know what you want to spend and lean on them for guidance as you choose products and services you can afford. Funeral homes in Des Moines, IA are there to help you through the planning process from start to finish. We want you to honor your loved one in whatever way you see fit, but we also don’t want you to regret anything you did later on. The professionals at Iles Funeral Home are here to help with the planning and implementation of your loved one’s final services.
