Planning Your Cremation

Cremation is one of the cremation services offered in Roanoke, VA. For people who are considering being cremated, understanding the cremation process will help you as you plan for your cremation. 

It's important to remember that just because someone is being cremated doesn't mean there can't be a funeral service or memorial service for that person. In fact, it's important to have funeral rituals done even if a person is cremated to help the bereaved family other people who are mourning to process and accept the death of somebody they love. Funeral services and memorial services help everyone do that. 

If you'd like to have a funeral service before your cremation, then there are a few things that you'll need to decide.   

The first thing that you'll have to make a decision about is whether you want a visitation before the funeral service. Visitations are an opportunity for mourners to console and comfort the family of a deceased loved one. They are usually a couple of hours before the funeral service and the body of the deceased may or may not be present. If the body of the deceased is present, this two hour timeframe is also known as a viewing. If the body of the deceased isn't present, then the two hour timeframe is a visitation. 

The other thing that you'll need to decide if you choose to have a funeral service is what you want included as part of the service. Traditionally, readings from prose, poetry, and scriptures are presented by family members or close friends during the funeral service. Eulogies which are testimonies to character, impact, and honor are also traditionally given during funeral services.   

If you are affiliated with a religious organization, the clergy member who represents your congregation can also give spiritual aspect to the service by providing hope and comfort to the family and other mourners.   

Music is also a traditional part of the funeral service. You can choose any music you want to include in your funeral service. It can be your favorite songs, songs that offer comfort, songs that are special to you and your family, or any other type of music. Some people get really creative with their musical choices, so use this opportunity to say something special about your life. 

Memorial services are typically held after cremation. They tend to be more casual than funeral services and include videos, music, and stories by friends and family about the deceased. Memorial services can be held at any time, so they can be scheduled far enough in advance that people have an opportunity to plan to attend them. This is especially important for people who live far away and who want to attend. 

When you're planning your memorial service, you should pick the pictures and the music that you want to be displayed and heard. You can plan the format of the service and ask anyone that you want to participate in the service. 

A final part of planning your cremation will be to determine what to do with your cremation remains. You may have a special place that you want some of them scattered. If you have a family cemetery plot, have your own cemetery plot, or a spouse already buried in the cemetery plot, then you can choose to have your remains buried there. 

For additional information about cremation services in Roanoke, VA, our caring and knowledgeable staff at Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home can assist you. You can visit our funeral home at 140 Floyd Ave., Rocky Mount, VA, 24151, or you can call us today at (540) 483-5533.