How to Preplan a Cremation

 

Preplanning a cremation will save your surviving family members the difficult task of reaching out to cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, to figure everything out during their time of loss and sadness. While the mode of disposition is different, the preplanning process is similar to a funeral, with a few exceptions. 

Keep reading to learn how to preplan a cremation that honors your wishes. 

1. Pick a Cremation Facility

This is the first place to begin and also the most crucial part of the entire process. With the popularity of cremation services on the rise, there are several facilities and services to consider. But it is advisable to choose a funeral home with an on-site crematory. 

That way, your body or loved one’s body doesn’t have to leave the facility throughout the process. 

When choosing a facility, ask these questions to determine if they are the right fit. 

• What services do they provide? 
• What level of care will the body receive? 
• Can you have a gathering? 

2. Choose a Cremation Package

Different services go with the cremation itself, depending on your preferences and budget. Here are the packages commonly offered by funeral homes and crematoriums. 

• Traditional Cremation: the body is present during visitation and service. You can rent or buy a casket for the body before the cremation. 
• Cremation with Memorial: A memorial service is held by the family after cremation. Typically, the urn containing the cremains is present with visual representations of the deceased. The memorial can also happen anywhere. 
• Simple Cremation: This is typically the cheapest. The cremation does not involve a service or memorial. 
• Graveside Memorial: After the cremation, a memorial is held at the cemetery. You may or may not choose to bury the urn with the headstone in this scenario. 

3. Plan the Memorial

One of the most significant advantages of preplanning a cremation is choosing the kind of memorial service you want. There are no rules, and you can personalize the service according to your preferences. 

You can set your preferred location, order of service, participants, or even a theme with specified dress codes. 

And you don’t have to worry about being too out there. Most cremation service providers and funeral homes can work with a variety of requests. 

4. Determine the Final Resting Place

With cremation, you can have different final resting places. There are several options to choose from, and here are a few of them. 

• Scattered Ashes – have family members and loved ones scatter your ashes in a meaningful location. 
• Keep in an urn – you can choose to store the ashes permanently in an urn. It can stay in a family member’s home or interred in a cemetery or a columbarium niche. 
• Cremation Keepsakes – have surviving family members turn the ashes into functional objects like jewelry or decorative rock. It can be anything you like. 

5. Document your Wishes

Once you have figured out the plan, put them all in writing and inform a trusted attorney and your family members. Keep the document safe but somewhere easily accessible to your family

That means you should keep family members in the loop while coming up with the plan. That way, you consider their opinions and wishes, and everyone is on the same page. 

There are other steps to consider, such as prepaying for the arrangements and accessing government benefits that may help cover the costs. 

It is a lot to figure out and can be overwhelming. That is why we advise seeking help from an expert. You can reach out to one from a Phoenix, AZ cremation service provider like us at Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements. Give us a call today or visit our location to get started.