Steps in Planning a Remembrance Service or Funeral

While every ceremony is unique to the individual and the needs of their family, the underlying importance of the event remains the same: it is the single most important step you can take toward healing after loss – for everyone involved.

The Arrangement Conference

Therein lies the focus of the arrangement conference. We will sit down with you and ask the questions, share the stories, and explore the many options available to you. In that way we will lead us all to the most appropriate service for your loved one, your faith, and your financial concerns.

You can choose where, when and how to hold the service. You can choose the musical selections, the prayers, and the special personal touches that will help you honor the life of someone you held so dear to you.  We’ll advise you where we need to; but in the end, you’ll make the decisions and then leave the rest to us.

The Ceremony

The first decision involves selecting the perfect location for your loved one’s service. You can choose to hold your ceremony in our beautiful chapel or you can choose to hold it elsewhere. Just let us know what you think would be best for all concerned.

Next, you may wish to inform your wider circle of family and friends of the event location, date, and time. We will help you spread the word, through our print and online channels to bring your community together to commemorate your loved one’s life.

When Choosing Burial

If you’ve chosen to have your loved one buried, you may wish to have the casket present at the service. In addition, many people choose to hold a viewing prior to the service. Whatever you decide, we will understand your needs to ensure that you have every opportunity to bring family and friends together to grieve and heal together before the burial. For more information on our burial services, click here.

About Cremation and Ceremony

Many families think that when they choose cremation, there is no way they can hold a memorial or commemorative service.

This is simply not true. In fact, we strongly recommend that you hold a memorial service to help you and your loved ones in the healing process.

There are many options available to you which make it easier to bring cremation and ceremony together. We can provide you with a rental casket for your loved one and have a traditional visitation and funeral service with cremation rites to follow. We are keenly aware of the impact of the deceased being present for a visitation or funeral service, as it correlates to the family’s ability to make a healthy grief recovery.  Statistically relatives and friends who are present at the viewing of the deceased are able to confront and share their emotions in no other way that exists.  As funeral directors we know this is why we do what we do.  Take a family into our care, walk them through the process and set them down on the other side knowing through our actions they will begin to heal. 

Today many families wish to have a Reception following the service, and this is something we would be pleased to arrange for you. It can be a small, intimate gathering, or a larger, community-wide event. Please contact us to learn about all of the ceremonial and reception options available to you.

For more information on our cremation services, click here.  

What Comes Next?

In short, what comes next involves coming together with family and friends to discuss their needs and desires. And if your loved one had prepared pre-arrangement plans with us, or any other funeral home – no matter the location – it’s vital that you retrieve those plans and bring them with you when you come in to see us.

If you need further assistance or advice, please contact us and we’ll guide you in the right direction.  

Want to know more about what's involved in funeral planning? Click here.