Funerals Versus Wakes

After a loved one passes away, it can create a significant amount of pain and stress for some individuals, and they are going to seek out funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, for scheduling the event. Many different details can happen at the services, including a funeral or a wake, but for someone who doesn’t know the difference, it can be confusing what to choose. So, in this article, we will discuss the difference between them more in-depth to help bring some clarity.

What is a Wake?

Awake is considered more of a visitation or a viewing and will offer a time frame to view the individual after they have passed away and talk with the family members to offer condolences. It can also be an optimal time to show support for the family to let them know they are not alone in their experience. The awake can occur at various places, including restaurants, individuals’ homes, or even in banquet halls depending on the needs of the individuals.

What is a Funeral?

A traditional funeral can be an event that is more formal than awake, and it can even involve religious aspects. In most cases, a clergy member may give a sermon, and other individuals may also read eulogies about the loved one. The funeral is traditionally completed at the cemetery, and there may be a burial that will follow it.

Other Considerations

An open casket may be included at either a funeral or the wake, but traditionally the casket is usually closed during the funeral process and may have a decoration on the exterior such as a religious symbol. The wake will typically have the casket open because it is an opportunity for individuals to view the deceased and say goodbye to them unless their culture or religion does not allow it.

The wake will generally be a come as you please event intended for individuals to say goodbye and offer condolences. At the same time, the funeral is an opportunity to pay respects to the family and the deceased and learn more information about the loved one through the readings.

Wakes are more casual, whereas funerals are more formal due to the event’s purpose. Wakes are not known for having rituals, but these are more likely to happen at a funeral due to religious backgrounds.

The burial process will generally not happen at the wake but is often right after the funeral process and may include an additional service where individuals can drop flowers or other items of love into the plot.

Compassionate Care for All Our Community

Whether you’re planning a wake or a funeral, these can have intricate details that need to be expressed to create a thoughtful service, and if you’ve been looking at funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, we would love to assist you. We are a locally owned company that takes great pride in creating events that will help the family honorably lay their loved one to rest, so if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Urn Facts

Cremation services in Daytona Beach, FL, have multiple parts to them, and after the process is completed, one of the main elements is choosing an urn for your loved one. Urns have been used for thousands of years, but it may be a bit confusing if you are not familiar with them. To save you the work, we have gathered some interesting facts and considerations about them, so keep reading for more information.

They Can Be Pre-Purchased

If a loved one is beginning to preplan for the services, one option is to purchase the urn in advance. This is helpful because the planner is getting the urn they want, and it won’t leave any additional confusion or stress for loved ones after the process is completed.

There are Different Sizes

One size does not fit all when it comes to these vessels, and this is crucial to understand because you want one that will hold your loved one’s remains completely. Urns can be customized now, and, in most cases, a standard size will fit between three and nine pounds of remains, but it is recommended to check the dimensions or with the manufacturer to make sure it’s going to be the appropriate size.

The size will also be taken into account for the area that the urn is going to be sitting in. Whether it’s in your home or a columbarium, you will need to make sure that the dimensions of the vessel are going to fit the specific area.

Rental May Be Available

Some individuals may only need the urn for a short period of time for a funeral or service. In some cases, you may be able to rent one, which can help save money on the overall funeral expenses, particularly if you are going to be burying or scattering the ashes.

You Can Purchase Your Own Independently

In some cases, a traditional urn may not feel appropriate, and the loved one might want something more unique. the options are almost limitless because any container can be used as an urn and a few popular ideas are:

Using a favorite item such as a toolbox or cookie jar
Getting a custom made plaque that will hold the remains inside while the outside can be decorated with an inscription
Creating a model replica of a favorite vehicle or vessel

You Don’t Have to Worry About Transferring the Remains

Funeral homes and crematories are required to use an urn that you provide to them, but the one thing you don’t have to worry about is doing the transfer of the remains. After the event is completed and the remains are cooled and processed, they will be placed in the urn and returned to the family.

Exceptional and Compassionate Events

This is just a small amount of information about urns and if you are looking for more help with planning cremation services in Daytona Beach, FL, let our professional and caring staff guide you through the process. We are locally owned and work hard to create exceptionally memorable events for all our clients, so if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, call us today.

How to Prepare a Burial for a Loved One

After your loved one has passed away and you start reaching out to the local funeral homes in Daytona Beach, FL, you will need to begin planning the details of the services, and part of this will be the burial. There are several steps and tips to follow for a practical and thoughtful event and we have them listed in this article, so keep reading for more information.

Key Takeaways:

The best way to plan a burial is to talk to an experienced funeral director. Funeral directors know the process and can ensure that all necessary steps are taken promptly. They will also be able to provide valuable advice on what type of service is best for your loved one. Additionally, they will be able to help you choose appropriate caskets and burial containers, determine how much space is needed for the service, and make sure that all paperwork is in order. Funeral directors can also provide detailed information on burial costs, including cemetery fees.

1. Understand Your Budget

The first thing you will need to start with is understanding your budget unless the individual prepaid for the event. Reaching out to a local funeral home can help give you a better idea of extra details that you could include in the process, and it can also provide you with an itemized priceless, so you understand the costs involved.

You will then need to choose the location where you will want to have the services for the individual, including the area they are going to be buried. The services could be held at a funeral home or religious center, so pick what feels right for this situation.

2. Pick a Casket

When it comes to choosing the casket, you will need to consider what kind of materials are available on the market and the kind of decoration you want to have on the outside of it. There are several different designs and materials available, and they all offer different benefits and drawbacks, so it is recommended to do research before choosing one.

3. Purchase a Plot

You are also going to need to purchase a cemetery plot, and it could be helpful to go to the cemetery you want to work with, so you understand if there are any specific rules or regulations that need to be followed. There are also a few different types of burial plots, including the ground, mausoleums, and even lawn crypts to choose from.

A few things to take into consideration are:
Will you be visiting the cemetery frequently?
Is there a religious preference for the loved one?
Was the individual a veteran?
How large of a plot are you going to need?

In addition to the plot, some cemeteries require the purchase of a burial vault or liner to protect the grounds around the plot. This item is usually an additional cost so check with the provider.

4. Pick a Headstone

Another primary consideration is what kind of headstone you want to have. These markers can come in many materials and shapes and offer different fonts and even imaging to be placed on the material, so try to create an appropriate design.

Exceptional and Professional Services

These are just a few considerations to take when burying a loved one, and once you have started planning the details, you want to find a company that you can trust with the process. We are one of the local funeral homes in Daytona Beach, FL, that offer exceptional services and the highest quality care in the market, so if you require services contact us today, and we will help you get started.

Cremation Steps

Being Prepared for the Cremation is Crucial, so Here are the Traditional Steps 

When it comes to scheduling cremation services in Lake Helen, FL, you want to know that your loved one will be cared for properly during the process. The decisions can be difficult at this time with the emotions that can arise, so understanding the process can help ensure that the decision you are making is the right one for your loved one, so keep reading for more information.

Cremation Process Steps

Once the individual has passed on, the first step is to bring them to the crematory. They will then need to be identified by a family member, and an ID tag will be placed on the individual. This will follow up with paperwork that authorizes the facility to move forward with the cremation process, and each state has different laws, so check with your local agencies for any specific information that may be needed.

The facility then prepares the body, and this will traditionally consist of cleaning and dressing the individual. If there is any jewelry on the individual, it will be removed unless otherwise specified by the family members. In addition, medical devices and prosthetics will also be removed to avoid any issues with the cremation process. Embalming will not be a part of the process unless the family members or friends plan to have a visitation and the body needs to be preserved for an extended period.

Once this is completed, the body will be placed in a vessel or container that is strong enough to hold them while at the same time combustible enough for the process. The cremation chamber will reach temperatures of up to 1800 degrees, and the process takes between two and three hours for a standard size adult. There is also another option, which is a liquid cremation process, and this can take around 16 hours, so understanding the difference can be helpful.

The remains will be cooled, and if any metal fragments are remaining in them, these will be taken in to be recycled. Be practical, then be placed into a machine that will grind them down into a fine substance and then return them to the family members.

Other Considerations

If you plan on scheduling a cremation, keep in mind that you will need a vessel to hold the remains in. A standard urn will hold between three and nine pounds which is the size on the average size available on the market. There are smaller options called keepsake urns or a larger variety that can hold two individuals’ remains, called a companion urn. There is also a biodegradable option that will begin to breakdown it with water, and this can be ideal if you are planning a burial service with their remains.

Professional and Exceptional Services

If you have recently lost a loved one and you are looking for high-quality cremation services in Lake Helen, FL, we would love to help you through the process. We offer the highest level of compassionate care on the market for all our clients, creating a genuinely honorable event for their loved ones, so contact us today if you would like to schedule an appointment.

Meal Train Ideas

Popular Meal Ideas to Offer Someone Grieving

After an individual experience a transition loss of a loved one, they may need some additional support in their life. It is complicated to schedule the details with one of the funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, because they may be experiencing fluctuating emotions from the grief, so offering any help may be well received. There are some things to consider when creating a meal train, so we have listed them in this article.

Get Specific Information

Every household will be different, so the first thing you need to do is speak with any individuals who will be part of the meal train to see their needs. There are some essential questions that you can ask to help bring clarity and make sure they’re getting what they need, so here is a list to start with.

What kind of appliances does the household have for heating or reheating food?
Do they have any favorite restaurants or meals that could be delivered with delivery service?
Are there any intolerances or food allergies to be aware of?
Do they have any food preferences or needs like vegan or vegetarian options?
How would they like to be notified when their food is on its way?
How many individuals are currently in the household that will need to be fed?
Are there children and adults that need to be considered for options?

Organize the Event

Once you have all of the questions answered and any others that seem essential, you can start organizing the event. It is recommended to use email, specialized online services, or even social media because this will allow you to fully list all the details that are required for the meal train and, at the same time, allows volunteers to sign up for times and dates that work for them.

A few meal tips to consider is that you prepare all the meals and containers that don’t have to be returned because this will help reduce the stress level of the household. It is recommended to include beverages and desserts, and it can be a kind and thoughtful extra addition to throw in a note or treat for the family.

If there are children in the household, you may also purchase food items specifically designated for them because this can help alleviate some of the pain of the loss, even if for just a short period.

Quality and Compassion for All Our Clients

If you are looking for specific recipes, there are thousands available online, but traditional favorites are items like casseroles and easy-to-prepare meals like a build-a sandwich tray. Offering support is essential, but if you require planning services with one of the funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, we can help you through the process. We are locally owned, and we take great pride in understanding what it takes to create a truly memorable event. We work hard to treat all our clients with compassionate care so contact us today if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.