Unique Ideas for a Cremated Remains Scattering Ceremony and Establishing Lasting Memories

Cremation and the respective ceremony can be highly personalized and moving. The following paragraphs will describe how one individual used the cremation ceremony to pay respect and honor the memory of her loved one in a unique way.

Sandra King from Cotton Plant, AR called today to say that the family was so touched by the keepsakes she'd ordered. Her late husband was an avid outdoorsman and wanted his ashes spread on his favorite hunting ground and fishing spot while reserving a small amount for the grown children.

Although many people who opt for cremation overlook to ability to utilize funeral home visitation, Sandra chose to capitalize on the tradition offered by a private family viewing. By utilizing a funeral home for the viewing of the body prior to cremation, family members and friends are able to experience a sense of closure and see their loved one as they remember.

The funeral director accommodated Sandra's request for the private family viewing by draping a gurney, dressing her husband in his hunting clothes and cowboy hat, and covering him with a blanket made by his sister. This was a creative and cost effective visitation method that displayed her husband in attire that showed activities and interests in his life, while the use of the gurney saved on a casket rental or purchase. Additionally, she was able to honor her late husband and family by allowing them some time to view the body and say their final goodbyes. During the viewing, she also had a DVD that she had created playing at the service; as well, copies were made and distributed to the family.

Unlike many people's perceptions, cremation does not limit one as to the type of ceremony that can be conducted. After the cremation, Sandra privately distributed the keepsakes to the children, and the family gathered at a sacred spot. The use of a keepsake is a touching element that allows the children to always have a piece of their father near to them and remember the life that they shared together.

Furthermore, cremation does not have to be limited to holding the remains in an urn or distributing the remains among family members through keepsake urns or keepsake cremation jewelry. Water scattering is another method that can be used to disperse of the cremated remains. Sandra had a wreath made that was cast into the water and allowed to float downstream, while family members lovingly spread the ashes .

Other people who prefer water scattering, but desire to use a more controlled method of dispersing the ashes, can utilize a biodegradable cremation urn. Unlike traditional urns, biodegradable cremation urns help ensure that the creatures of the water do not experience disruption in their natural habitat. Biodegradable cremation urns are designed to float for a few minutes, and then descend into the water where the ashes will later be dispersed once the cremation urn degrades. Floral petals are also a nice way to show final tribute as the biodegradable urn drifts away and descends into the water.

Due to the finality that is often associated with cremation, burial of an urn, or water scattering, creating a lasting memory of the departed to honor the life that they shared with you here on Earth is often quite healing. Since saying "goodbye" to someone who shared such a pivotal point in your life is never easy; however, keepsake urns, memorial jewelry, and memorial stones are a few methods of preserving the memories.

Keepsake urns or keepsake memorial jewelry can be used to keep dried ceremonial flowers, a small portion of ash, lock of hair, or sacred burial ground. Because of the ability to easily clean memorable pieces such as these, and the versatility that they possess, with many of these pieces resembling fine art or high-end jewelry versus what was traditionally recognized as holding remains, makes keepsake urns or keepsake jewelry an ideal way to hold your loved one near.

Memorial stones or a memorial garden are also a nice way to heal, restore, and remember the time and life spent with your loved one. When contemplating the idea of a memorial garden, there is no "right" way to do it-it can be tiny or large, a quite place to reflect or a grand expanse, even a single plant kept indoors, or a garden of memorial stones and plants that fill a yard. However you choose to memorialize your loved one, having a place to reflect on the loved one's life can be healing and restorative.

Although every cremation ceremony should be tailored to the departed's wishes, Sandra reported that this was the first experience that the many of the family members had with cremation and were surprised and moved by the loving personalized touches that she created. With the ideas and personalization that Sandra was able to create that honor her late husband, we can all gain a sense of appreciation and respect that goes into planning a cremation ceremony. In addition, these ideas can be used and expanded on to create you or your loved one's personalized ceremony.