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When people choose burial, a traditional form of death care, the more limited set of options becomes clear.  One seeks and chooses the availability of the cemetery burial location, the casket, the headstone options, the funeral home, and a few other arrangements.  Once the funeral and graveside ceremony is completed, paying respects and saying your goodbyes are completed to some extent. 

Cremation, on the other hand, comes with a few unique options that can make the memorializing of the person not only a ceremony to honor them but also a moment of closure and beauty to everyone closest to the person. In particular, choosing to scatter the ashes of a loved one in a unique location can provide a deeper sense of letting go of the pain while embracing the beauty of how the natural world works.

When there is a choice of cremation, how do people celebrate the life of their loved one? What type of funeral or memorial is appropriate?

How do you plan a cremation ceremony? Thinking about putting a cremation ceremony together to celebrate and remember the life of someone you love is a final act of love – and a big job.

Have you ever wondered what to do with cremated remains? With the annual number of cremations in the United States rapidly closing in on one million people, we’re generating literally tons of cremated remains, a.k.a. cremains, every year. What can you do with your loved ones’ powdered bone fragments? More than you’d think! The top options are to keep, dispose of, or enshrine cremains. Here is my Top Ten list of things you can do with cremated remains, with associated pros and cons for each option.