After a loved one is cremated, you'll receive the cremated remains in an urn. At this time, you may begin planning some manner of memorial service or a gathering in which you'll scatter the ashes somewhere special. Memorial services and remains-scattering services are a nice way to honor the life of your loved one and you can tailor these services to include virtually any element that you and your family wants. It's important that you avoid some of the common mistakes that people make during these events. Here are three things that you shouldn't do after a cremation.
Scatter The Remains Anywhere
You may have a few ideas about where you wish to scatter the cremated remains of your loved one. But, before you take action, it's important to consider who owns the land that you plan to use. While you don't need to ask permission if you choose to scatter the remains on your own property, this isn't the case with public property or private property. If you'll be visiting a local park, for example, you're better off contacting the park authority, explaining your situation, and asking for permission. Likewise, if you plan to scatter the remains on private property, obtaining consent from the owner is the right way to proceed.
Release Something Harmful
Some people release things into the air when they have a memorial service or a service to scatter their loved one's remains. The idea of letting some helium-filled balloons rise into the sky might be visually appealing, but don't forget that you're polluting. Additionally, with things that don't break down, there's a risk that they'll choke birds or fish. Instead of honoring your loved one by releasing something detrimental to the environment, plan something biodegradable. For example, if you'll be scattering the remains at the edge of the water, you might wish to toss some flowers into the water at the same time.
Fail To Have A Plan For The Remains
It's a good idea to have some sort of plan on how you'll deal with the cremated remains after you receive them. You might be wavering between keeping them in your home and scattering them. However, if you don't deal with them in decisive manner, it's easy for them to sit around and possibly get knocked off a table or shelf. If the urn is breakable, you'll have a major — and emotionally troubling — mess to clean up. If you can't decide how you'll proceed right away, pack the urn away where it won't get bumped.
For more ideas, contact a company like Holmes Funeral Home.
Share23 June 2017
Hi everyone, my name is Sari Blakenship. My first time visiting a funeral home was an extremely comforting experience. Although I was blindsided by the death of my loved one, the funeral director helped me through the planning process without taking advantage of my grief. I was allowed to work at my own pace to cope with the grief in a healthy way. I was never rushed or pressured, despite the necessary timeline. Whenever I couldn't move forward, the funeral director held my hand and offered words of comfort. I would like to share each step of the funeral planning process to help others through this difficult process. Planning a funeral takes a lot of thought and time during a particularly difficult period. Please visit whenever you need a hand.