Getting through the cremation process is only part of the story. Once a loved one has been cremated, most families face another important decision. How do we properly celebrate the life of the deceased? Working closely with a funeral home can certainly make it easier to plan these kind of celebrations. If you or someone you know is looking into cremations in or near Indianapolis, IN, remember that there are professionals in your area who are prepared to help your family and address these kinds of issues. You don’t have to go it alone. That said, making decisions about celebrating someone’s life often remains a deeply personal issue that family must confront directly. The good news is that there are a number of options, especially when it comes to cremation. There is bound to be a solution that addresses your family’s unique needs.

There are a couple of different issues at stake when one thinks about celebrating a life after cremation.

The first question is whether or not you plan on holding some kind of service. The most obvious option is to hold some kind of funeral service, generally before the cremation itself has been performed. This will allow friends and family to view the body and celebrate the life of the deceased in a very traditional fashion. For those who prefer a more classic approach, this may make a lot of sense. In lieu of a funeral service, many families instead choose to hold a memorial service. This can be held weeks after the cremation, providing friends and family from out of state plenty of time to make travel arrangements. It may also provide more immediate family additional opportunity to plan the service itself. That can be extremely helpful, especially during otherwise difficult times. Planning a funeral while you deal with your own grief isn’t always easy. A memorial service allows for some extra time. Either way, these kind of services make it possible to celebrate a life that has been lived, and you can certainly focus the services themselves on that kind of theme.

The second question to address is what you should do with the cremated remains of your loved one. Remember that this decision can seriously impact the way in which the deceased is remembered and celebrated. You can keep things a bit more reserved and simply have those remains buried or kept at the home of close family. But there are of course other ways to celebrate someone’s life, scattering the remains somewhere significant or even having those remains turned into some kind of artwork. There aren’t any wrong answers here. Much depends on what it means to you when it comes to celebrating someone’s contributions and impact.

Whatever you decide to do, it is always wise to consult any wishes that may have been left behind by the deceased. These should play an absolutely integral role when it comes to any important decisions that must be made.

If you are interested in cremations in the Indianapolis, IN, area, consider reaching out to O’Riley - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We know how important it is to celebrate a life in a certain fashion, and we can help make that possible. You can visit us at 6107 S East St, Indianapolis, IN 46227 or place a phone call to (317) 787-8224.