Can you still have a funeral if you choose cremation?
A common question is if a funeral can still take place once someone is cremated. We've created this guide to help you know the types of service options available to those who have chosen cremation but would still like some type of funeral or memorial for their loved one. This list can help you decide what would work best for you.
Memorial service
A memorial service does not have the body present but usually has the urn present. It can be held in something as traditional as a church or as casual as the beach. It usually has some type of photo collage or slideshow about the person's life to memorialize them and accompanying the urn.
Celebration of life
A celebration of life can be done regardless of the type of disposition chosen, either cremation or burial. A celebration of life does not include the urn or casketed body of the deceased but is usually more of a party or gathering thrown to honor and celebrate the person who has died. A celebration of life can be held anywhere and can also be as formal or casual to fit the person who is being celebrated.
Graveside service
Even if someone is cremated you can still bury their cremated remains in a cemetery. If desired a graveside service can be held with friends and family to witness the urn being buried or placed in a niche. This type of service can also be traditional if desired with prayers, readings, and even a eulogy.
Scattering ceremony
A popular choice for cremated remains is to be scattered at sea. Families can choose to charter a boat to take them out to hold a scatter ceremony. This typically entails songs, poems, or a eulogy followed by either scattering the remains into the ocean or placing a biodegradable urn with the remains into the ocean typically followed by a sprinkling of flowers.
Funeral service
Definition of a funeral service would be with the body present. This tends to be a more traditional type of service where the body can be in what is called a rental casket that is typically opened for people to view and say their goodbyes and can be followed by cremation.
Conclusion
Overall, there are just as many service options for cremated remains as there are for full-body burials. These options can be tailored to meet each family's unique religious, social, and spiritual needs, ensuring a personalized and meaningful tribute to their loved one. Whether it is a traditional ceremony, a memorial service, a scattering ceremony, or another form of commemoration, families have the flexibility to choose what best honors their loved one's life and beliefs.