A cremation is an option many families opt for today. While some people assume this choice means forgoing a traditional service, you can still work with a funeral director to create a meaningful event centered around the legacy of the departed. After the loss of a loved one, it’s important to have a designated time for friends and family to come together, share memories, and mourn their loss in a memorable way. The right funeral home will offer a number of options to plan a gathering that brings peace, comfort, and closure—without the confines of a full burial service. 

Consider a Viewing Before Cremation

If you think your family might benefit from the chance to see the deceased before they are cremated, speak with your cremation service about partially preserving the body for a viewing. For many families, this allows the chance to find closure and say whatever parting words are in their heart. This event can be tastefully appointed to ensure that each guest has an opportunity to spend a moment with the departed if they choose. However, it won’t include a full burial, so the event will be brief. Once the viewing is complete, the funeral home will arrange for the body to be carefully removed, cremated, and returned to the family in a beautiful urn for safekeeping.

Center Your Event Around the Urn

If your family is not partial to the idea of a viewing, you can still host a gathering surrounding the memory of the person you’ve lost. After cremation, you can choose a custom urn in which you’ll store the ashes. This ornate and often-intricate piece can serve as the center point for an event in celebration of your loved one’s life. Place the urn among their favorite flowers or on a table alongside all of their cherished belongings. This will give your guests a way to come to peace with their loved one’s passing, without being asked to participate in a formal viewing. 

In the midst of loss, planning a cremation or funeral service can be decidedly difficult. For those in Meadville, PA, Robert W. Waid Funeral Home can help. For over 100 years, four generations of the Waid family have provided compassionate support for grieving families in the area. Whether you need assistance choosing an urn or creating an event for your family to gather and mourn together, they can offer resources to perfect every detail. Call (814) 724-1021 today or visit them online to learn more about their services.