Navigating the journey of saying goodbye to a loved one is an intensely personal experience that differs from person to person. In recent years, the option of cremation services has gained popularity, offering a sense of closure and a unique, personal tribute. This trend is even noticeable where cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH have become an increasingly chosen path. The shift reflects a variety of factors, from increased flexibility to environmental considerations.

The Rising Trend of Cremation Services

In recent years, cremation has seen a rise in popularity, largely due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. These services can be tailored to fit the specific wishes and needs of the deceased’s loved ones, making them an increasingly attractive option. While traditional burials remain a significant part of many cultures, the trend is unmistakably leaning towards cremation, even in traditionally minded societies.

The Flexibility of Cremation

One of the major benefits of cremation is its inherent flexibility. There are a variety of ways that the ashes of a loved one can be memorialized, from urns kept at home to scattering in a meaningful location, or even turned into jewelry or works of art. This allows for a personal touch that is often appreciated by grieving families. Furthermore, these myriad options give families the power to create a lasting tribute that truly reflects the spirit and personality of their loved ones.

Environmental Considerations

Cremation is also seen as a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional burial methods. It eliminates the need for a physical burial plot, which can be beneficial in areas where land is at a premium. It’s a choice that resonates with those who had environmental consciousness in life, allowing their legacy to continue even in death. Moreover, opting for cremation often uses fewer resources, minimizing the impact on our planet and demonstrating a continued commitment to sustainable practices.

Cultural and Religious Acceptance

While some cultures and religions prefer traditional burial methods, many have come to accept or even prefer cremation. It’s important to communicate with your religious leader or cultural guide to understand the nuances of cremation within your specific tradition. Over time, views can evolve, and interpretations may vary, so ensuring your choices align with both personal and cultural beliefs can bring peace of mind during an emotionally challenging period.

Personalized Ceremonies

Cremation ceremonies can be personalized to a great extent. They can be intimate, with only close family and friends, or they can be larger events where the wider community is invited. They also offer the opportunity for unique rituals that are meaningful to the deceased and their family.

Planning Ahead

As with any end-of-life decision, it’s important to plan ahead. Discussing your wishes with loved ones can ease the burden of decision-making during a difficult time. Pre-planning your cremation service can provide peace of mind knowing that your final wishes will be respected.

Whether motivated by flexibility, environmental considerations, or cultural acceptance, the demand for cremation services is on an upward trajectory. Cremation services in Willoughby Hills, OH, are highly valued for the way they honor the memory of the departed in a deeply personal and fitting manner. As we gain a deeper understanding of the benefits and possibilities of cremation, it empowers us to make informed decisions that respect the wishes of our loved ones and offer solace to those left behind.

Looking for compassionate, respectful, and personalized care during difficult times? Contact Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home today. We’re here to guide you through every step, ensuring your loved one’s memory is honored in a fitting and memorable way.

Cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH put your loved one to rest, but can spark your grief. And worse, many of them are unprepared as our society does not teach about grief or how to process it in healthy ways.

Many studies have been done to understand the complicated grief journey and that’s where the five stages of the grief model came from. Developed by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, it is the most admirable blueprint that helps us understand the grieving process, which is:

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

Let’s get into the details.

1. Denial Stage

The first reaction to the loss of a loved one. Soon after you hear horrible news from a doctor or a relative, the denial stage kicks in. The person can’t believe that the loss has occurred and he or she goes like, “This can’t be happening to me.”

Note that denial is not just about rejecting the death of a loved one. It can manifest in many forms like saying, “I’m fine” despite getting overwhelmed by grief.

2. Anger Stage

Followed by denial is the anger phase when your mind starts accepting the harsh reality. You realize that the loved one has left this world forever and you can no longer “deny” or fight against the situation.

And there can be millions of things you can be angry at. Maybe you become angered at the doctors for not treating the patient properly or for not saying something to the loved one when you had a chance. Or you may even direct your anger towards God: “How could You allow this to happen?”

This phase is often short lasting and is immediately followed by bargaining.

3. Bargaining Stage

During this stage, the grieving person tries to bargain with God or himself and plead to bring back the loved one. You wish, pray, or hope that your loved one will be saved in exchange for something.

4. Depression Stage

Often, the depression starts soon after hearing about the loss. But it comes hard when you have accepted the loss and try to adapt to the new reality without the loved one.

It can trigger unexpected behavior and emotions as the person may become overwhelmed and feel hostile towards anyone in her circle. This is often the longest and most painful phase of the grief journey.

5. Acceptance Stage

The fifth and final stage in the Kubler-Ross model as you have finally come to terms with the loss. It can take a few weeks to several months or years to reach the acceptance stage. You realize that there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Remember that grief and pain are still there, and emotions from the other stages may still arise at times. But the intensity and occurrence of these painful feelings die down. You experience more moments of happiness than bouts of grief and depression.

At this stage, you begin to plan how you will move on with your life and achieve your goals after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

All the memories and happy times you spent together flash in front of your eyes as your friend prepares for cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH. And if anything, saying a final goodbye to a terminally-ill friend is one of the most overwhelming experiences of life.

Many people shy from visiting a friend who may breathe his or her last in the coming days, but the one thing the dying wants is the presence of close ones near him to share and relive the good old memories, to have one last laugh, to know that someone will remember them after their passing.

That’s why you should go and visit a friend if you care about them. Saying a final goodbye will make both you and your dying friend feel good and satisfied.

Here are some simple tips you should bear in mind while visiting a dying friend.

1. Be Supportive and Optimistic

Many people feel anxious to visit a dying friend as they don’t want to face or say goodbye to her. The very acknowledgment of the fact that someone is about to die can make most feel uncomfortable and it’s natural. You may feel weak and restless knowing you can’t do anything to help your friend.

But just imagine the comfort and solace your visit will bring to the friend. You don’t need to talk about death or say goodbye; just being there and having a conversation like a friend will give you enough strength and comfort to passing through that critical time.

2. Listen More, Speak Less

You need to control your emotions and be as supportive as you can be. Don’t take the lead yourself, instead of respecting the patient’s choice and letting them set the topic of discussion or standard of interaction.

Those last few minutes of your company should be all about the dying friend. Once you have initiated a conversation, just be there, holding their hand, and let them speak whatever they want to. If they want to talk about illness, let be it; if they want to avoid that topic, then find other topics that give them comfort and a few moments of happiness.

3. Do Share Your Thoughts

The most awkward part of visiting a dying friend is starting a conversation. Your friend may also feel awkward about what to speak. No matter how difficult it’s for you to talk to a dying friend, you have to speak.

The easiest way is to start asking questions on random subjects to get rid of the elephant in the room. Don’t directly jump onto the topic of illness or death, instead, let them decide what they want to talk about.

4. Say Goodbye

And lastly, you have to say goodbye, and that’s the hardest part. You have to control your emotion and say a final goodbye to your friend. It should be heartfelt for both you and your friend and help them get ready cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

Planning to attend the funeral or cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, of your friend or colleague? Bear in mind that a funeral is an event where everyone is expected to be on their best behavior.

So, if you’ve never attended a funeral service before, here is everything you should remember when visiting one.

1. Be on Time

There is probably never a more important time to be on time, than a funeral. Try to reach the venue 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

If you are late for a funeral the chances are that you will miss out on the part of the service you aren’t there for, because it is almost impossible for us to hold up service and wait for someone to arrive.

2. Record Your Attendance

Most funeral services will have a memorial or guest book that they want people to sign when they arrive. When you record your details, it is best not to simply sign your signature. Also, add a couple of lines in tribute to the deceased.

It helps the grieving family have an easily legible record of who attended. They may choose to send thank you cards or messages to those that attended, so make sure your name is easily understood.

3. Interact with family

Don’t shy away from approaching the bereaved family and offering your condolences. But don’t try to take a lot of their time.

For families, it can be particularly overwhelming when masses of people are trying to seek them out. Sometimes a grieving person just needs a little space before a funeral to collect their thoughts and emotion.

So, if possible, spend time with the bereaved family members after the service. This is a much more relaxed time and means that you can support them when they need it most.

4. Be Respectful

A funeral is one of those times when nothing less than the utmost respect is acceptable. This means respecting the family, the gathering of mourners, the funeral directors, the clergy, or the celebrant, but most importantly, it means respecting the deceased.

So, conduct yourself with respect, courtesy, and dignity. Never even think of disrespecting the mourning person, even if you have had a strained relationship for years or whatever. Do your very best to be supportive of each other and the family of the deceased.

Be patient if you don’t like something in the event. Just remember where you are and why you are there.

5. Dress Up in proper Attire

Wear what you feel most comfortable in and what you feel is the most respectful outfit for the occasion. It doesn’t have to be all black, but the darker attire is taken as a symbol of grief.

But anything that is not too shiny or attention-drawing is acceptable. Remember that it is a funeral so it is one of those occasions where it’s acceptable to dress up during the day!

In short, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to funerals. But always be on your best behavior before and after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

Soon after the loss of a loved one, the bereaved family needs to start thinking about the funeral process and cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH. The deceased deserves a perfect final send-off for the amazing life they have spent.

But planning a funeral is amongst the most challenging experiences. The raw grief and the painful emotions it accompanies limit a person’s ability to make scrupulous decisions.

That’s why it’s important to have a basic idea of funerals and their related services. It will give you a head start when you have to arrange a meaningful and appropriate funeral for the departed loved one.

1. Hire a Funeral Director

Many people have a misconception that hiring a funeral director costs extra money. And that one saves all that amount by arranging the services himself. Truth be told, hiring a funeral director is the best thing to do.

A funeral director has years of experience in handling various tasks associated with funeral services. Because of their direct contacts with all the funeral service providers such as catering, music, burial, religious clergy, florists, etc. you can get these services at a discounted price without lifting a finger.

They can take care of all the details that allow you to spend more time with your family and friends. In addition, the person is trained to provide you with emotional support and strength during such tough times.

2. Choose Either Burial or Cremation

If the deceased has not already expressed his or her wish about their final disposition type, the responsibility falls on the surviving family. The two most common types of funerals are burial and cremation in America and elsewhere.

If your family is a religious one or follows a longstanding tradition, then you have to go with it, else the family can make a consensus on whether to burn the body (cremation) or bury it – depending on your budgetary allocations.

In the last decade, cremation has become more prevalent in America due to fewer costs associated with it.

3. Include Religious Element or Not

The most critical aspect to consider while making this decision is the religious beliefs of the deceased. If the person had a strong faith in the denomination, then the final services would follow religious rites and rituals.

Else, there are many secularist human traditions that you can choose from. The concept of non-traditional funerals is gaining traction in the States and your funeral director can better guide you on what’s best for you.

4. Funeral Hearse or Not

Mostly, the casket is transported in a hearse, but now people are increasingly opting for non-traditional ways of transporting the casket like floats and horse-drawn carriages. It all boils down to the choice and financial capacity of the surviving family.

5. Hold A Memorial Service

Post-ceremony gatherings are arranged to honor and remember the deceased. Mostly, a memorial service is held by the bereaved family where close friends and family are invited to the deceased’s house. But they can also be performed at funeral homes or other convenient places like a beach, restaurant, or the deceased’s favorite place. The memorial can be held after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, as well.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re thinking of getting some information about cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, and cremation urns. Maybe your loved one is cremated and you’re tasked with buying a cremation urn, or maybe you want to understand more about cremation and its related services.

Either way, knowing about cremation urns always comes in handy given that more and more families are choosing cremation as the final disposition method in the last few years. Keep reading and find out!

Cremation Urn Facts

Here are some amazing facts about cremation urns.

1. A cremation urn is a container

The primary purpose of a cremation urn is to hold the remains (also called “ashes”) after cremation. Consider it as a small box or vessel which can be made of anything, but mostly decorative wood or ceramic.

You can also get an urn made of metal, paper, sand, and even cornstarch. The bereaved family has got tons of options to choose an urn of any shape, style, or design.

2. It’s not compulsory to buy a cremation urn from the funeral home

You don’t necessarily have to buy the urn from the funeral home where you plan to have the cremation service performed. Hit the local market and go through different designs and styles, in varying price ranges, to choose the best cremation urn to hold the remains of the lost loved one.

Many families choose to buy cremation urns online via their smartphones. But lately, funeral homes have become more competitive in their pricing of funeral products. Still, the choice rests with the bereaved family.

3. Renting an urn is an option

Want to save some bucks? Consider renting your preferable urn. The good thing is many most funeral homes offer a selection of nice cremation urns which you can “rent” for use during the memorial service.

4. Capacity, not size is what matters for urn size

The size of the urn is very important to make sure it can accommodate the remains of the departed soul easily. But often, the customer is thinking about the outside measurements of the urn.

Remember that urns are generally decorative and can have visible accents or edges. So, the exterior dimensions are not the best way to figure out if the urn is the right size to hold the ashes. What you really want to know is the capacity. Urn capacity is measured in cubic inches. A 200 cubic inch urn can hold the remains of an individual weighing roughly 200 lbs.

But exterior measurements also play a key role in deciding where the urn is going. For instance, an urn that fits onto a mantle or shelf or some other specific location needs different external dimensions than the one you would like to place into a columbarium niche.

But the main catch is that unless you have a particular placement in mind for displaying the urn, you need not worry about the exterior dimensions of the memorial. The capacity of the urn should be the determining factor for sizing.

These tips can help you find the right urn for cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

Cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, may help with grief. While a lot of information on funerals is available on the internet, the same can’t be said about grief. People have plenty of misconceptions about grief and how it relates to mourning.

In this article, we are going to present a basic overview of grief. This will help everyone navigating through the grief journey to get a new, realistic perspective of bringing positivity into their life.

What are the symptoms of grief?

They vary from person to person, depending on the relationship and closeness with the lost loved one. But in any case, grief can manifest in physical, emotional, or mental symptoms.

Here are common physical symptoms of grief:

• Heart palpitations
• Increased inflammation
• Joint problems
• Stomach problems
• Headaches
• Body aches and pains

Emotional symptoms include:

• Bitterness
• Anger
• Irritability
• Apathy
• Confusion
• Loss of joy
• Feelings of guilt, shame, betrayal, fear. Often these emotions manifest in combination.

While anxiety and depression are the foremost mental reverberations of grief. If not addressed on time, it translates into complicated grief that takes a serious toll on your both physical and mental health.

How long does grief last?

If anything, grief is independent of time. It’s true that the intense emotions of grief, in most cases, die down with time, but that’s not the case with everyone. Everyone has their own time frame and it may take a person from a few days and weeks to months and even a lifetime.

If grief lasts longer and seems to run deeper persistently, then it’s time for you to get some professional help.

Compared to grief, mourning is the outpouring of grief, an expression that you show to the public to reflect you’re grieving the loss. That is why mourning may last for a set period of time, while grief has its own timetable.

In many religions, there’s a fixed mourning time as a symbol of respect and tribute to the deceased. The Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, and Muslim religious sects have set mourning periods. But the grieving journey may last much longer than the mourning period.

Also, many cultures adopt certain traditions to highlight that you’re mourning the loss of a loved one. For instance, wearing black, no dancing or celebrations, a black wreath on your door, or covering the doorbell or knocker are just a few ways to let society know that you are in mourning.

How to mourn a death of a loved one?

There is no right or wrong way to mourn. What matters the most is recovering from your loss which takes time. If you’re a religious person, then talk to your religious leader and set up the services and viewings that your religion may require.

Remember that the support of family and friends at a time like this will help you both emotionally and mentally. Mourning the loss helps you get sympathy from the community. The people stand by your side and help you out in ways you would never have thought of after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

Cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, can be part of the plan when your loved one dies. However, just the thought of dealing with the death of someone at home is overwhelming. It adds to the complexity and stress of the situation as you have to deal with a number of extra things regarding how they passed.

For instance, whether the death was expected or unexpected. Similarly, you may have to deal with different steps if they died during the day or at night. Sounds a bit confusing? Worry not and check out the below simple instructions on dealing with this challenge calmly:

1. If the Death Was Expected

When the death of the loved one is expected like terminal illness or anything, the next step depends on the time of day.

DURING THE DAY

If the death occurs during the daytime, the person needs to contact their doctor or 911 as soon as possible. The quicker they get in contact with the emergency service, the better.

AT NIGHT

In the unfortunate event of losing a loved one at night, the person still needs to contact 911. The respondent will then guide you about what to do next.

But if you want, wait until the morning before contacting their doctor. But this rule applies to the next kin. If you are not the next of kin or a close relative, be sure the emergency service is notified immediately.

If the cause of death is already known, a medical practitioner or doctor will issue a medical certificate of cause of death, allowing you to register the death. Try to contact a funeral director immediately to start planning for the funeral service.

2. If the Death Was Unexpected

If the loved died unexpectedly at home, then the first thing you should do is immediately call the police and ambulance services. Dial 911 to get in contact with them. The operator on the other end will provide instructions on what you need to do and that also includes simple tips to try to resuscitate the person. The paramedics, upon arrival, will either attempt resuscitation or confirm the death.

Keep in mind that it’s important not to disrupt the death scene and leave the area untouched. The police team is going to find any possible evidence of the death. In most cases, the Police will arrange for a funeral director to collect the deceased and take the body into their care.

If the doctor or medical professional is unable to find the exact cause of death, they are likely to contact the coroner. The coroner or procurator fiscal may order a post-mortem examination or inquest to determine the cause of death and then issue the documents allowing the death to be registered.

Until the exact cause of death is known, the family cannot conduct the funeral service. They might have to wait until the autopsy’s results are back and then, start preparing for the final cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.