Honoring your loved one’s wishes to be cremated and receiving their cremated remains can be a personal and reflective moment. Now, you may be deciding what the next steps will be. In this article, we are providing you with ideas for planning a ceremony that pays respect to the life that your loved one lived following cremation services.
Virtual Ceremony Following Cremation Services
Lighten believes that celebrating your loved one in a deeply personalized way can be accomplished through a gathering of family and friends near and far. A virtual service following cremation services might include your loved one’s cremated remains within an urn on display throughout the ceremony or pre-recorded footage of the ashes being spread. Ultimately, the decision can be made according to what you and your family believe best honors the unique identity of your loved one. In other words, would they want to be present for the celebration of their life or would they want friends and family to share in seeing their cremated remains being spread among a final resting place?
Pre-Recorded Videos
Lighten helped one family plan a virtual memorial service that featured a pre-recorded video of the loved one’s cremated remains being distributed off of the bow of a boat and into the water. Their loved one was passionate about spending time on the water and this was a way to honor them. Then, the family took it even a step further in personalizing the service to their loved one’s joyful spirit. They included a “blooper reel” to be played at the end of the video. Knowing their loved one’s love of laughter, this fun addition to the virtual ceremony following cremation services helped make all attendees feel closer to their loved one.
In-Person Ceremony
Like virtual ceremonies, an in-person ceremony following cremation services can have the loved one’s cremated remains on-location or pre-recorded. Lighten has helped many families plan in-person gatherings that reflect the unique identity of their loved one through aspects like the venue chosen, food served, music played, and more. At a memorial like this, the urn or personalized container that you choose to place your loved one’s cremated remains within can be placed on display and surrounded by photos or your loved one’s favorite flowers. Alternatively, Lighten can help you set up a big screen on which attendees can gather to watch a pre-recorded scattering of the ashes.
Planning an in-person ceremony at the location where your loved one’s cremated remains are to be spread may also be an option. If your loved one had a favorite tree, garden, lakeside spot, or mountain view, an intimate or large outdoor gathering might be a great way to honor their final resting place in a beautiful way.
Distributing Cremated Remains
A memorial service or celebration of life could include a ceremonious distribution of your loved one’s cremated remains to the people who loved them, as a keepsake to honor and cherish your loved one forever. Cremation jewelry, for example, keeps the loved one physically close to the people who loved them in a way that is aesthetically beautiful. Cremation jewelry can come in the form of glass necklaces, keepsake rings, and even diamonds. Other types of cremation art, such as glass vases and wall hangings, can also make for beautiful tributes to your loved ones and displayed by those who loved them.
Whether virtually, in-person, or on-location, a service that includes your loved one’s cremated remains provides an opportunity for those who would like to have their loved one’s ashes near the hearts of those attending. If you are looking to plan a ceremony to honor your loved one, Lighten can help.
