Category Archives: Aquamation
Urns and Aquamation Services
Is this the first time you’ve ever thought about aquamation urns right before or after an aquamation service in Kings Mountain, NC? It’s much better to be prepared!
Here is a list of things you should know about aquamation urns to help you get ready for the death of a loved one or to prepare for your own passing:
- An urn is just a container. An urn can be whatever kind of container you want or need it to be. As long as the container can hold the cremated remains, it counts as an aquamation urn.
- Capacity is important. While you should check an urn’s exterior measurements to see if it will suit your needs, you also need to check its capacity to make sure it will fit the cremains. Many urns have decorative edges or accents, making exterior dimensions useless when it comes to determining the urn’s interior size. Always double-check an urn’s interior dimensions before you make a purchase.
- You can pre-purchase urns. If you’re planning for your own eventual passing, you can pre-purchase an aquamation urn. This way, you’ll not only ensure that you get the urn that you want but you will also take one thing off your loved one’s to-do list. Simply store your urn in a box until it’s needed.
- You can rent an urn for a service. If you only want to have an urn for a funeral or memorial service, you can rent one. This is a great way to save money if you’d rather use the expensive, fancy urn for the service but want to scatter, bury, or otherwise inter the ashes afterward. Most funeral homes or aquamation providers have a selection of urns you can rent, so check with your provider.
- You don’t have to buy an aquamation urn from a funeral home or aquamation
provider. While it’s often very convenient to get an aquamation urn from your provider, you don’t have to. You can buy an urn online, at a store, or wherever you can find one. You can also make an urn or use the one that comes free with the aquamation. - The funeral home will transfer the remains for you. Since funeral homes are required to use an aquamation container of your choosing, they will transfer the cremated remains into that container for you.
- Use exterior measurements for placement. Do check an urn’s exterior measurements to make sure that it will fit in the place of your choosing. For example, if you want to house the urn in a columbarium niche, make sure it fits the niche’s dimensions. Or, if you want to keep the urn on your mantle, ensure it’s not too wide or too tall to fit safely.
We are here to help you, as there are a lot of things to think about when you’re planning a Kings Mountain, NC aquamation service. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss or preplanning.
The Five Stages of Grief
What can the five stages of grief do for you? The five stages of grief are a well-known blueprint that helps people understand how they grieve and offers guidance on how to get through a loss and an aquamation service in Shelby, NC.
Grief doesn’t come all at once or all in the same way, it often moves through stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychologist, first developed these five stages in 1969 to help illustrate that fact that, while every human experience grief differently, almost everyone moves through one or many of these five stages at some point in the grieving process. Some people might move through all, others just one, and more still might experience only a few. Kubler-Ross also believed that the order of the five stages isn’t necessarily important, as people might experience them in varying orders and intensities, even moving back and forth between them.
Denial is when you don’t want to believe or an unable to believe that your loved one has died. The “this can’t be happening to me” reaction is very normal and is usually the first reaction after a loss. Denial can also come in the form of telling people you’re fine even though you’re not because you’re denying your true feelings of grief. Anger generally sets in when you realize you can’t deny or fight the loss any longer. You might become angry at the people around you, taking your anger out on doctors and nurses who “failed” your loved one or on yourself for making a mistake that might have led to or worsened the situation. Some even direct their anger toward God or a higher power.
Bargaining is when you deny the truth by trying to change it. It might manifest as trying to get
the doctors to bring in another expert or try a new treatment, or as pleading with God or a higher power for more time or a different outcome. Like the name sounds, depression is when you feel hopeless or that you can’t go on because of the loss. You might feel overwhelmed, alone, and lost. The final stage, acceptance is where you come to terms with the fact that your loved one is or is going to be gone. The grief and pain don’t go away in this stage, but you do accept and feel those feelings. When you reach the fifth stage of grief, you begin to plan how you will move on with your life.
While it’s not a comprehensive guideline, the five stages of grief do help, comfort, and a basic understanding of how we experience grief and how that experience changes over time.
Do you have more questions? We are here to assist with your planning needs, just as the five stages of grief are a helpful tool for anyone dealing with a loss or planning a Shelby, NC aquamation service. Call or visit us today to learn more.
The Benefits of Aquamation Over Traditional Burial
There are many who prefer aquamation services in Boiling Springs, NC, even though traditional burial is still very popular for many reasons. In fact, some might argue that aquamation is quickly becoming the standard for final disposition.
To better understand aquamation’s popularity and to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you, here are some of the benefits of aquamation over burial:
- Choosing the Service Time – With traditional burial, you’re pretty much limited to the standard service timeline of a few days to a week after the death. This can feel like a ticking clock that only adds to the stress of death. However, aquamation allows for much more flexibility when it comes to scheduling a service, providing you with the time and ability to plan a service that works with your needs.
- Keep Loved Ones Near – Aquamation also allows you to make aquamation jewelry so you can always keep your lost loved one close to you. Aquamation jewelry can be one of two things: one, a jewelry item made with some kind of container that holds a small portion of the cremains, or two, a jewelry item that was made with some of the remains infused with the metal.
- Portability – Since aquamation reduces remains into the smallest possible components, the process makes remains incredibly portable. This means that, unlike with burial, aquamation allows you to bring your lost loved one with you if you so choose, whether that means on a hike for you to scatter them in a favorite spot or even when you go on vacation, so they’ll be always near you.
- Choosing the Final Resting Place – A burial means that your lost loved one’s final resting place will be a cemetery. Aquamation, on the other hand, allows for a low more flexibility when choosing a final resting place. From an urn kept at home or in a columbarium to scattering at sea or in a special location, your loved one’s final resting place can be almost anything with aquamation.
- Saving Land – The world’s population is only growing, but the world itself is not. This makes land a very valuable resource that, in some people’s view, shouldn’t be used for burials. Aquamation is a wonderful solution to this issue as it does not take up any land at all.
- Cost – In many cases, a full-service funeral with an aquamation can cost about half as much
as a full-service funeral with a traditional burial. Direct aquamations and aquamations with memorial services can bring that total cost down even further. - No Embalming – Embalming is almost always required for burial, but many embalming techniques use a chemical called formaldehyde that’s very bad for the environment. Aquamation allows you to skip embalming entirely, which helps the planet in the long run.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with burial and it’s still a wonderful final disposition method if it’s what you want. These are just a few of the many benefits of aquamation over traditional burial. We are here to help if you want to learn more about Boiling Springs, NC aquamation services. Call or visit us today for more information.
Ideas to Decorate a Gravesite
A great way to celebrate your lost loved one’s life, honor their passing, and soothe the feelings of loss is by decorating their gravesite. If you’re decorating a gravesite after your lost loved one’s aquamation service in Kings Mountain, NC, you need these helpful tips and inspirational ideas for their final resting place:
- Personalized Flower Vase – Instead of a standard vase, invest in a personalized one that features a special message to your loved one, an etching, or any kind of meaningful inscription.
- Fresh Flowers – Even a simple, fresh bouquet that you leave once a week mean a lot. Plus, they give you a chance to visit the gravesite often.
- Solar Lights – Solar garden lights charge during the day with solar power, then light up at night. Find ones that are flush to the ground or ones that stick up on stakes.
- Preserved Flowers – Keep the flowers on your lost loved one’s grave fresh forever by preserving them. Order a custom-preserved bouquet in resin, or purchase a paperweight orb with flowers inside.
- Memorial Candles – Flameless battery or solar-powered candles are just as beautiful as real candles, but are much safer and longer-lasting.
- Personalized Photo Lantern – You can order custom lanterns that are printed with a photo of your lost loved one. Place a flameless candle inside the lantern and leave it on the grave to light up at night.
- Floral Saddle – A cemetery saddle is a flower arrangement resting on a metal “saddle.” It has legs so it can balance on top of the headstone.
- Solar Flowers – Solar flowers are fake flowers that light up at night after charging throughout the day in the sun.
- Candle Figurines – Buy a candle figurine that holds any candles you choose and represents a meaningful image, like an angel, animal, or symbol. You can even repurpose an old jar or mason jar by filling it with candles or twinkle lights.
- Personalized Flag – Place a flag on the ground near the gravesite with a personalized photo, message, or image. Add dates to make it even more personal.
- Memorial Stones – Stones have been used in memorialization for centuries. There are even examples in the Bible. Paint a stone yourself or order one online.
- Homemade Tributes – Nothing is more meaningful than a homemade tribute like
handwritten notes, paintings, drawings, or even typed-up poems or memories. - Memorial Benches – If the cemetery allows, place a memorial bench near the gravesite so you always have a place to sit and remember fond days when visiting.
- American Flag – If your lost loved one was a veteran, plant an American flag or the flag of their armed forces division.
- Grave Blankets – Grave blankets are painted with grass, foliage, or flowers so they can make the grave green and lovely even in the winter months when it’s too cold for fresh plants.
These are just a few of the many ways you can decorate your lost loved one’s gravesite. We are here to help if want more inspiration or information on Kings Mountain, NC aquamation services.
Have You Felt Abbreviated Grief?
Whether you’re planning a funeral or an aquamation service in Shelby, NC, you should be aware of the different kinds of grief and how to handle them, like abbreviated grief.
Abbreviated grief, as the name signifies, is mourning that doesn’t last a long time. Though it’s short or abbreviated, this kind of grief isn’t any less real than other kinds. Abbreviated grief is most common when there isn’t a close relationship with the deceased or when there’s an immediate replacement of the deceased. For example, it can occur when a widower remarries quickly after the death of his spouse, or when a distant relative dies. It can also occur after a terminal illness because of a phenomenon called anticipatory grief, which is when you do part of your grieving before the person actually dies so you don’t grieve as long after death.
Here are some fast facts about abbreviated grief to help you better understand and cope with your own loss. To begin, children often feel abbreviated grief. It’s normal for children to feel abbreviated grief depending on their age and relationship with the deceased. Also, abbreviated grief is grief. While this kind of grief may not seem real or standard, it’s still very real and does happen often. Plus, everyone grieves differently.
Abbreviated grief can affect your health. No matter how short or long, grief has been shown to affect health by causing issues like increased blood pressure, poor sleep, physical aches and pains, trouble concentrating, and even heart palpitations. There is no shame in seeking help for physical grief manifestations. Though abbreviated grief is short you still need to remember to take care of yourself. Eat, sleep, and exercise if you can, as keeping your body healthy will make it easier for you to feel better.
Also, feeling your grief is always best. While it may be very tempting to numb your grief and pain with drugs, food, alcohol, or distractions like work, it’s always best to feel your feelings. It might be uncomfortable or painful, but you won’t be able to properly heal if you don’t allow
yourself to truly grieve. It’s important to note that you don’t need to lose a loved one to grieve. People can experience abbreviated grief, and other kinds of grief, after a loss that isn’t a death. These can include divorce, loss of a friendship, job loss, or learning you can’t have kids. Finally, don’t feel pressure to prolong your grief or feel guilty over the length of your grief.
Everyone mourns differently and in their own time, so don’t feel pressure or judgment because of how you feel. Remember, everyone grieves in their own unique way and in their own unique timeframe. Don’t compare your grief to someone else’s or judge another person for the way they mourn, even if you or they are dealing with abbreviated grief.
We are here to help if you want to learn more about grieving or about Shelby, NC aquamation services. Call or visit us today for more information on what we can do for you in your time of loss or preplanning.
What Are Last Wishes Documents?
Your last wishes are your requests for what you want to be done after you die, generally regarding the funeral or memorial arrangements and the final disposition, and a last wishes document is how you can tell your loved ones what you want to be done after you die, from a funeral to an aquamation service in Boiling Springs, NC.
Everyone dies eventually, so, no matter how uncomfortable it might be, it’s a good idea to be as prepared for the eventuality as possible. It’s always best to tell your loved ones about these wishes in addition to writing them down. That way you can make sure they understand what you want, and they can ask any questions they may have.
Here are some common last wishes questions and their answers to give you more information on these important documents. To begin, what should you include in a last wishes document? Your last wishes can include anything you want, including funeral or cremation preferences and plans, body disposition preferences, obituary information, messages to your loved ones, requests for your final days, and personal information like where your will is. Some people also choose to include what they want for the time leading up to their death as well, like who they want to see, if they want to pass at home or at a care facility, or even what they want their surroundings to be like in a last wishes document.
How do you make a last wishes document? You don’t need to do anything fancy to write down your last wishes. The document should include your name, the details you want your loved ones to know, and who you want to tell them to. It can be a few sentences or several pages, typed and printed, or just written down in a notebook. Just be sure it’s kept in a safe place and that the people it addresses know about it and where it is. Are a last wishes document the same as an advance directive? Advanced directives are legal documents that detail someone’s wishes when they are terminally ill. Last wishes are not legally binding and deal more with how you would like to be remembered, what you would like to say to your loved ones, and other practical things.
Are last wishes the same as a will? Last wishes are not wills. Wills are legal documents that deal
with your estate, belonging, or finances, while last wishes are non-legal documents that deal with funeral or service arrangements. It also does not make sense to include your last wishes in your will as the will is generally read after the funeral, thereby making your last wishes useless. Finally, are our last wishes legally binding? Last wishes documents are not legally binding, but most family members or loved ones at least feel morally obligated to see your wishes done.
Do you want to learn more about last wishes or Boiling Springs, NC aquamation services? We are here to help. Call or visit us today for more information on what we can do for you in your time of preplanning or loss.
Do You Need Pallbearers with Aquamation Services?
While pallbearers are traditionally used when the body is buried in a casket, people can choose to have pallbearers carry the casket at a funeral before an aquamation service in Kings Mountain, NC. They can also carry or walk alongside the urn before or after a memorial service. As intense or scary as this job seems, being a pallbearer is not as overwhelming as you might think.
Were you asked to be a pallbearer for someone’s service before or after an aquamation service? Here’s everything you need to know about pallbearers in order to help prepare you.
- What is a Pallbearer? A pallbearer is someone that helps carry or officially escorts a casket during a funeral or service. Their duties traditionally consist exclusively of carrying the remains from the hearse to the church or funeral home before the service, and then back into the hearse after the service. If the remains are to be buried or inurned, the pallbearers also carry them from the hearse to the final resting place.
- How Heavy is a Casket? Caskets can weigh as little as 60 pounds up to 400 pounds or more depending on the type of casket and the size of the remains inside. For example, pine caskets generally weigh about 150 pounds, while mahogany can weigh up to 250. Metal caskets, on the other hand, can weigh between 160 to 200 pounds depending on the kind of metal and the metal gauge.
- What Should Pallbearers Wear? It’s best for pallbearers to dress conservatively, ideally in a dark suit and tie, dress, or pantsuit. However, be sure to wear clothing that is comfortable enough for you to move and lift in. Don’t forget to wear flat or low-heeled shoes so you don’t trip while carrying the casket.
- What Is an Honorary Pallbearer? An honorary pallbearer is someone who will not actually carry the casket but is still recognized in some way. This title is usually used for older friends or relatives who might not be able to physically carry the casket. Sometimes people even choose to have deceased friends or family members as honorary pallbearers, as they don’t have to carry the casket or even be physically present to have the honor.
- How Many Pallbearers are There? While there can be as many or as few as desired, there
are traditionally six to eight pallbearers. If there are six, three stand on each side of the casket. If there are eight, the extra two stand on the front and back. - Who Can be a Pallbearer? Pallbearers can be anyone the bereaved or deceased choose. However, they are usually close family or friends like siblings, older children or grandchildren, colleagues, or friends. And yes, women can be pallbearers even though it doesn’t happen very often.
Do you have more questions about pallbearers or Kings Mountain, NC aquamation services? We are here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.
Preplanning Questions
Have you talked about preplanning? It never will be easy to talk to your loved ones about their after-life plans for aquamation services in Shelby, NC. Though it’s impossible to be completely prepared for the death of a loved one, you can be somewhat prepared by having a plan. Even though talking about death is never easy, these conversations are essential. When you’re ready to have the discussion, you can use these questions to help guide you and make sure you get the information you need.
To begin, ask if they have a will. According to a study done in 2020 by Trust & Will, only 32% of all adults have a will or living trust, and only 36% of adults with children under 18. Wills are vital documents that make sure a person’s last wishes are followed in the event of their death. Create a will with your loved ones, or make sure that they have one of their own, and keep it in a safe but accessible place.
You also need to ask about financial information. Financial institutions are strict about giving people access to other people’s accounts, even if they are a spouse or close relatives. That’s why it’s important for your loved ones to have their financial information written down so that you know where it’s kept. They should include sources of income and liabilities, accounts receivable, bank accounts, real estate, assets, securities, and personal property.
You should also have a discussion about how they would like to be celebrated. Perhaps the most important part of the after-life discussion is how your loved ones would like to be remembered and celebrated. Do they want to be buried or cremated? Have a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life? Asking about this now ensures your loved one’s wishes will be honored after their death. Don’t forget to ask about Powers of Attorney or Health Care Powers of Attorney. Power of Attorney is a document that gives a designated person the power to make legal decisions for another person if they become unable to make them for themselves. A Health Care Power of Attorney does the same, but for medical decisions instead of legal ones. These documents can be essential if your loved one is getting older or suffering from cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.
Finally, ask about who will take care of their pets and what you should do with their online
accounts. Most people love their pets like children and will therefore have specific wishes as to how they should be cared for upon their death. Make sure these wishes are written down in a safe place. Some people choose to keep their online presence as a digital memorial upon their death, while others would prefer that their digital presence is removed. Either way, make sure you have a list of their online accounts and passwords so you’re able to carry out their wishes when they pass.
Do you have more questions about preplanning, or would you like more information on Shelby, NC aquamation services? We are here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more.
Supporting Someone in Grief from A Distance
Even though no one likes to see their friends, loved ones, or family in pain after a loss and aquamation service in Boiling Springs, NC, it can be awful to see loved ones grieving when you’re far away from them, either in a different town or even in a different country.
If you’re looking for ways to be there for someone in grief even from halfway around the world, these tips are here to help inspire you. Why not plan a visit? You might not be able to see and help them in person right now, but you can certainly plan a visit. This is especially helpful since the grieving process doesn’t end once the service is over, so the bereaved might need extra love and support a few months down the line after other people have moved on.
You can also use technology. We are so lucky to live in a modern world with almost endless ways of staying in touch with people despite physical distance. From Facebook and Instagram to video chatting, and even the classic telephone, use technology to reach out to the bereaved. Reach out when you can so they know you’re available, but don’t be pushy. Also, don’t feel like you have to talk or have meaningful words of encouragement. The best thing you can do for your friend is just to listen.
What about donating or ordering deliveries? Aquamations and funerals do cost money, and it might be very helpful for you to donate money to help the bereaved with some of the costs. You can also make a donation in the deceased’s memory. Choose a cause that was important to the deceased and let the bereaved know about your donation so they can feel something good has come from their loss. Even a small gesture can mean a world of difference to someone in grief. And, thanks to modern delivery services, it’s never been easier to send those small gestures even from across an ocean.
Place an order for grocery delivery so they don’t have to worry about shopping or order them
some food from their favorite take-out place. You can also send flowers, candy, gift baskets, thoughtful gifts like books, gift cards, and a whole host of other delivery items to show you care and are thinking about them in their time of loss. Finally, don’t ask what you can do. The last thing someone in grief wants to do is field a bunch of questions. So, instead of asking what you can do to help, just do it. Be proactive, whether that means sending over a cleaning service, flowers, or food or paying for grocery delivery.
While it’s never preferable to be far away from someone when they’re grieving, it is possible to provide some comfort even though you’re apart.
We are here to help if you want to learn more tips or information about Boiling Springs, NC aquamation services? We can offer you more information beyond these tips for how to help your family member or friend when they’ve lost someone. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.
Planning Green Memorials After Aquamation Services
Eco-friendly memorials and funerals have been on the rise, whether they’re at churches, halls or after aquamation services in Kings Mountain, NC. Everyone wants to do their part when it comes to the environment, and this includes hosting an eco-friendly funeral or memorial service for a lost loved one.
These tips and tricks can offer guidance and inspiration if you want to plan an eco-friendly service for your lost loved one.
Like lighting. If you’re having the service at night or in a dark venue, it can go through tons of energy. Try and use more eco-friendly LED lights to use less energy or invest in candles that you can re-sell or hold onto as keepsakes after the event. You can also host a daytime funeral or memorial and skip the lights altogether. Don’t forget to shop seasonally? If the wake or memorial service will have food, make seasonal produce a priority when planning the menu. Seasonal produce is dramatically less harmful to the environment than out-of-season food and is also easier to get fresh and in bulk. This is because seasonal produce uses fewer preservatives and fertilizers and doesn’t require lots of refrigeration or greenhouse heating. Plus, in-season fruits and veggies are almost always more delicious and flavorful than other options.
You also need to recycle and repurpose. Try using repurposed or recycled items for any decoration you may want for the service or wake. You can easily put together beautiful and meaningful decorations while being considerate of the materials and their sources. Try using clean materials like jute and cotton or make flower arrangements from fabrics to cut back on flower use. You can also choose to use recycled or organic fabrics instead of synthetic ones. Also, shop local. There are a lot of emissions involved when it comes to transporting goods long distances. If you choose local supplies and vendors for the funeral or memorial, you can greatly reduce the event’s carbon footprint. Not to mention that supporting local vendors is great for the local economy and can also save you some money.
What about being mindful of paper? Funerals and memorials use a lot of paper. From
invitations to programs, menus, and even fans, a lot of this paper goes into the garbage after the service of over. Make sure the paper products you use are recycled after the event or save on paper items by choosing creative substitutes. Do a chalkboard sign as opposed to programs or send out invitations via email as opposed to postcards. Also, be aware of what you’re burying with the deceased so you’re not releasing harmful or non-biodegradable materials into the environment. Finally, think about the guest list. The more guests you have, the bigger the funeral’s carbon footprint will be. If being eco-friendly is important to you, try and cut down the guest list to a smaller number. Plus, the smaller the guest list the more intimate and respectful the deceased will be.
We are here to help if you want to learn more about eco-friendly memorial services or Kings Mountain, NC aquamation services. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today.
