You may be under the impression that you can only hold a memorial service when planning a cremation. Memorial services are generally held weeks after the deceased has passed. But indeed, it is perfectly acceptable (and perhaps preferable in some cases) to hold a funeral service before the cremation itself. If you or someone you know is looking into cremations in or near Indianapolis, IN, you should know that there are professionals in your area who are prepared to discuss various options with you and your family. 

At O’Riley - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, we know that having the right options discussed with you can be an incredibly important process. We treat families with respect and present them with the kind of options that make sense for their needs and their budget. If you are interested in holding a funeral service before the cremation itself, we can certainly discuss what that entails in more detail, ultimately making the funeral planning process much easier for you and your family. 

The first thing to remember when making decisions about services is that funeral services often occur very soon after a loved one has passed. This means that you may not have a great deal of time to think about the service and begin planning. That makes it incredibly important for you to rely on others for help. A funeral home may be instrumental to having everything properly squared away. But you also shouldn’t hesitate to rely upon friends and family when they volunteer to help. The last thing you need is any additional stress or anxiety when there may be just a few short days before the funeral itself. 

You should also remember that one of advantages associated with holding a funeral service before cremation is that it provides many with an opportunity to say goodbye in a more traditional fashion. Because the body may be present at the funeral, those in attendance often view the body and pay their final respects. That’s an important opportunity for many families and may be very helpful when it comes to dealing with grief. While having the body present may represent some additional costs, many families decide that it is nevertheless very important. Ultimately, these are very personal decisions, and there are no right or wrong answers. Every family is different. We want to respect your wishes and make it possible to hold the kind of funeral that’s right for you. 

In addition to logistics, you should also think about the kind of tone you wish to set. Because funerals happen so soon, many in attendance will be dealing with grief, and they certainly have a range of needs. You can set a more traditional and ceremonial tone, or you can always celebrate the life of your loved one in an especially positive fashion, as well. Either way, we want to make a very dignified option possible for you and your family. 

If you are interested in cremations in the Indianapolis, IN, area, consider reaching out to O’Riley - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We take every need seriously and address it in a professional and compassionate fashion. You can visit us at 6107 S East St, Indianapolis, IN 46227 or place a phone call to (317) 787-8224.