Planning a Memorial Service After a Direct Cremation
The grieving process begins the moment you learn that a loved one has passed away, and shock is often the very first part of that process. It might be upsetting to learn that a crucial part of saying goodbye to a loved one has already happened, or at least will happen imminently and that you won't be a part of it. But this is the case when someone has specified that they want a direct cremation.
Bypassing a Traditional Funeral
A direct cremation bypasses a traditional funeral, in that the person's remains are directly transported from their place of death to the crematory. This might be from their home or a hospital, but the cremation can generally take place as soon as a death certificate has been issued. The only real disruption to the process if the cause of death warrants further investigation, although the body is ordinarily released as soon as the coroner has concluded their examination. The speed of cremation after a person's death can be jarring for family and friends, but this speed is a hallmark of direct cremation, and this is in line with the deceased's wishes.
Their Wishes Were Honored
While you can take some comfort in the fact that your loved one's wishes were promptly honored, it can be upsetting for those left behind, who were excluded from being a part of the cremation. As harsh as it might sound, this exclusion is standard, and no mourners are generally present at a direct cremation. The nature of this type of cremation means that a funeral will not be held beforehand. But does this mean that the death must occur without any ceremony?
A Memorial Service
Unless your loved one directly specified that there wasn't to be a funeral in any form, you can still make the arrangements. It might take the form of a memorial service since the deceased will not be present, although the urn containing their cremated remains (which will have already been presented to the family) can be displayed during the service. Since any remembrance services will not quite be traditional, there is some flexibility. It can be a gathering in a private home, simply reminiscing about the deceased. It can likewise be more formal, with a service being held in a funeral chapel or church.
The lack of a traditional funeral can be distressing for those left behind. You can learn more about your options by contacting cremation services.