One of the most significant changes happening in the funeral industry today is the fragmentation of professional services. For many years, we have entrusted the funeral home with handling all aspects of the death ritual, from collecting and preparing the deceased to delivering a eulogy.
This may have all seemed very relevant in times when the funeral director most likely knew the deceased in person or through his community. However, this is not so much the case now, where funeral directors can handle the services for a deceased person they have never met!
This raises the issue of how effectively a funeral home can assist a family in memorializing a person they have no prior knowledge of, and it is but one reason why more families today are opting to conduct their own cremation memorial services.
Funeral directors can cremate: Families can memorialize!
Industry critics talk about how the industry separates into the disposition and memorialization elements. The disposition element continues to be served very well by funeral professionals, and cremation offers a simple and low-cost disposition option.
A basic cremation without any services (known in the trade as direct cremation or immediate cremation) can be conducted in most cities for between $795 and $1,195. This handles the complete disposition process simply, efficiently, and at a manageable cost.
Use our Local Provider Search to find a low-cost direct cremation service provider near you – we are transparent about costs!
Once the cremated remains are returned to the family, they can then arrange to conduct a cremation memorial service. This can be arranged at a time and place that is entirely suitable for the family. Memorial services can be held at home, in a place of worship, or a community venue.
In fact, you can even hold a memorial service at a golf club! They can be held with the cremated remains present or without. A memorial service can be held to scatter cremated remains or to distribute keepsake cremation urns between family members.
Not only can the family arrange to conduct their own memorial service, which can be uniquely personalized, but they can do it at a fraction of the cost a traditional funeral service at a funeral home would have cost.
Life celebrations: Uniquely personal Tributes
No one can better memorialize a lost loved one than the family who holds those shared memories of the deceased. Funerals are becoming less somber events and more about creating an uplifting celebration of a life lived.
The number of celebrants is increasing as families use the services of a professional to deliver secular celebration services. However, where they feel capable, the family can prepare and deliver their own tribute service. Arranging a timely cremation and postponing the funeral service gives the family a chance to immediately grieve without being forced to make decisions about a funeral service.
The service can be arranged at a later date when the family feels ready to address the memorial aspect of remembering their lost loved one.
Save money by creating your own memorial tributes
If you wish to conduct your own memorial services and keep costs down, there are various options available for making your own memorial tributes. You can download templates for memorial cards, set up free online memorial pages, and create your own memory boards, candles, and wreaths. All it takes is a little time, imagination, and desire to make your tribute personal.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the last fifteen years. End of life services and experiences are something most of us choose not to reflect upon until we are suddenly faced with dealing with it. I have been contributing comprehensive and independent resources for families that explain how the funeral industry operates, and the laws that govern funeral practices. Sara writes for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, as well as contributing to other forums and publications for the death care industry. I have a BA in Cultural Studies. This helps my analysis of cultural death care rituals, alongside a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing an epoch of change and this fascinates me.
