Does Cremation Mean Giving Up the Funeral?
For centuries, burial was our community's preferred method of disposition, or laying a body to rest. The traditional funeral is built around it: a wake or viewing of the body, followed by a service in the presence of the casket, a formal procession to the cemetery, and final words spoken at the graveside. When most people imagine a funeral, this is the image that comes to mind.
Contrary to popular belief, however, funeral traditions are not limited to burial. Choosing cremation for your loved one does not mean giving up on the formal gathering and ceremony of a traditional funeral.
Whether you choose cremation for financial reasons, the flexibility in scheduling, or to align with personal values, you may still hold a gathering for your loved one's homegoing that will honor their life in style.
Cremation with a Memorial Service
A common option for families who choose cremation is to hold a memorial service after the cremation takes place. The body will be taken into the care of the funeral home and cremated within a few days of death. Afterward, a memorial service can be held in the presence of the cremated remains, or not, depending on the family's preference.
The format of a memorial service can be customized to your loved one's personality. It might include prayer, music, eulogies, and shared memories. It can be a formal event held at a church or funeral home, or a more relaxed gathering at home or another location. Whatever you choose, we can help you plan an event that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
Memorial services are convenient to schedule as they can take place at any time. For families with loved ones who live out of state or are overseas in the military, for example, a memorial in the presence of ashes can be scheduled weeks or even months after death so that everyone can attend.
Holding a Funeral Prior to Cremation
If you would prefer a more traditional funeral with your loved one's body present, they can be cremated after the service. This gives friends and family members an opportunity to gather and say goodbye to the deceased in person one last time. It also allows for traditional homegoing elements such as the funeral march and crowning ceremony to be incorporated into the service.
After the funeral, your loved one's body will be delivered to the crematorium to await cremation. You may choose to hold another, smaller gathering when your loved one's ashes are scattered or interred, similar to a graveside burial service. If you wish, you can also arrange for a small gathering at the crematorium to witness the start of the cremation.
In general, a funeral will take place within a week of death. If you have specific concerns about timelines, you can speak with your funeral director to plan the best type of event and disposition to suit your family's unique needs.
Viewing and Visitation Before Cremation
There may be some instances when a traditional funeral is impractical or goes against the wishes of the family or their loved one. However, this does not prevent you from visiting with your departed loved one to say goodbye before their cremation.
In fact, we often recommend that families hold a private or public viewing. The viewing can be a simple, informal private event or a more formal wake. Either way, sharing a final moment together with the deceased can be powerful and help move you toward healing from grief.
Celebrating a Life Together
Whether you choose cremation or burial for your loved one, it's important to take time to gather and mourn together with your family and community. A formal celebration honors the departed's life and allows mourners to draw on one another for support.
Pipkin Braswell mortuary can help you create the perfect send-off for your loved one, whether you choose a traditional funeral or a one-of-a-kind memorial service. Call us at
303-996-0869 or visit our Denver funeral home at 6601 East Colfax Ave to meet with our team and begin planning.
