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If you are planning for what will happen when you die, then you need to decide whether to be buried or cremated. While some people prefer a burial, others find that cremation is a better choice for them. When might you decide that cremation is right for you?

1. You do not want to be buried

Some people want to have a traditional burial. However, some people are not as comfortable with this option. This can be down to a few different reasons.

In some cases, people choose cremation because it better fits their spiritual or religious beliefs. They believe that it is better to dispose of the body quickly after death rather than to put it in the ground. This releases the spirit or soul.

For example, cremation is the norm in the Hindu faith. The principle here is that burning the body releases the soul quickly so that it can move on to its next stage of reincarnation.

Sometimes, people choose cremation over burial because they do not like the idea of their bodies lying under the ground. The idea may scare them. Or, they may simply feel that burial is an unnecessary step in the funeral process and that a cremation is a simpler solution.

In some cases, people decide against a burial because they have no local ties. Their family may live in different states or even overseas. In this case, they may feel that they have little point leaving behind a grave that nobody can tend or visit.

However, if they are cremated, then their family can scatter their ashes or keep them. Families can even divide ashes between them if they all wish to create their own memorials.

2. You do not want to cause environmental harm

Some people choose a cremation over a burial because of environmental concerns. Traditional burials are not always good for the environment.

For example, materials used to line graves or to finish coffins might leach into the earth. If a body is embalmed, then toxic chemicals might release as the body decomposes. Methane gas is also an issue at this stage.

Then, you have to factor in the land for each gravesite. Space is often at a premium, especially in towns and cities. Some people just do not want to take up valuable space that could be used for another purpose.

While some carbon emissions are involved in a cremation, it is still typically a greener option. After the procedure is done, it has no lasting negative environmental footprint.

3. You do not want to burden your loved ones

Burials often take more work to organise than cremations. As well as arranging a service, families also have to find a suitable gravesite and organise the interment. They have to choose a memorial stone or plaque. Then, they may need to spend time periodically maintaining the plot.

Some people prefer not to load these extra burdens on to their loved ones. They know that organising a service followed by a cremation is a lot easier. This also gives people quicker closure to come to terms with their loss.

The lower costs of cremation also help relieve financial worries. Cremation reduces costs for families who have to pay for funerals after a loved one’s death. The cost of cremation also help people who do have some savings to leave more money behind for their family and friends to enjoy.

Whether you’re planning a funeral or want to buy flowers after a loved one’s death, the flowers at the funeral are an important part. What flowers should you get? Discover four common types of flowers that people get to express their love, sympathy or admiration.

1. Roses

Many people think of roses when they think of funeral flowers. Roses, with their varied colours and meanings, can express different feelings, depending on the person who orders the flowers. For example, what if you get:

• White roses? White roses often mean youth and innocence, but they also can mean respect and remembrance at funerals. They also have a historical connection with religion, which is ideal for any religious funerals.
• Pink roses? Pink roses represent elegance, grace or appreciation, which can show the respect or love that a person had for the deceased.
• Red roses? While red roses are mostly popular for romantic occasions, red roses at a funeral can symbolise the deep love and affection a person had for the departed loved one. Special deep crimson roses can indicate grief or sorrow, which makes them ideal for this often sad and solemn occasion.
• Yellow roses? Yellow roses mainly represent friendship, so they are mostly useful for friends of the deceased.

Anything from a single rose to a bouquet of roses can be perfect for a funeral flower arrangement.

2. Lilies

Lilies are another popular funeral flower. Many people choose these flowers for funerals because of their sweet smell and symbolic meanings. White lilies are especially popular. Lilies, as a while, represent purity, innocence, sympathy or peace, all of which can hold significant meaning for the deceased loved one. A bouquet of lilies is a popular flower arrangement.

3. Carnations

Carnations are popular both as themselves and as supportive flowers for lilies or roses. Carnations often represent remembrance and affection, but different carnation colours can provide other meanings as well. Pink carnations are often popular for funerals, as they carry religious meaning that also can translate to a mother’s love for her children or continuing love, even after the death of the loved one.

Red carnations can symbolise romantic love, perfect for a grieving spouse or partner, and white carnation can represent innocence, gratitude, love or faithfulness, perfect for friends or family members.

Carnations are often ideal for funerals because they are able to be dyed and are also more affordable than other flower arrangements.

4. Orchids

These unique flowers can be the show of a flower arrangement. Orchids, in general, are symbolic of continuing love. However, pink orchids also emphasise sympathy, perfect for friends and family. Both white and pink orchids are popular for funerals, but other orchid flower colours can be appropriate in many circumstances.

For example, purple orchids represent admiration or respect. Red orchids mean strength or courage. Blue orchids, which are uncommon because they have to be dyed, represent preciousness or rarity due to their uniqueness. Each of these might be perfect for a specific person’s funeral.

Orchids can be part of a flower arrangement either as a cut flower or as a growing plant. Orchids can last for a long time, so if mourning family members want a visual reminder of their departed loved one, the funeral orchids could be just the thing.

In the past, people tended to stay in the same area as their families, but now, many families live far away from each other. And due to moving frequently or travelling, many people have close friends in far flung locations as well.

Unfortunately, this means some people may not be able to attend your loved one’s memorial. To include as many people as possible, some people are opting to hold “live” funerals. Considering livestreaming your loved one’s memorial? Here is a look at the details to help you decide.

What Do You Need to Livestream a Memorial?

To livestream a funeral or memorial service, you simply need the following:

• Camera: You can rent expensive equipment, but you can also just livestream from a smartphone.
• App or website to help you with the broadcast: Most popular social media sites offer livestreaming capabilities, but there are also apps designed just for livestreaming. With a livestreaming app, anyone with an invitation can follow the service. With social media, you have to do a public livestream or be restricted to your personal contacts.
• A plan: Ideally, you should make a plan related to letting people know about the livestream. A plan helps you avoid technology glitches as well.

With just those three essentials, anyone in the world can join the memorial as long as they have an internet connection or access to a smartphone.

How Do You Invite People to a Livestream?

You can let people know about the livestream in the same ways you traditionally notify them about a memorial service. If you publish an obituary in the newspaper or online, note the date and time of the memorial and include instructions on how to watch the livestream.

Additionally, you may want to put a post on social media. If your deceased loved one has a social media account, tag them in your post so their friends can see the post.

Even if you forget to share information about the livestream, you may still want to broadcast the service. On sites such as Facebook, livestream videos tend to get about six times more interaction than other types of videos, and that fact alone increases the chance of people watching the video. Once the video is up, people can also watch it later.

What Are the Benefits of Livestreaming a Memorial?

As explained above, livestreaming allows more people to attend the memorial or funeral service from remote locations. On top of that, livestreaming is an interactive experience. During the service, people watching the livestream can leave comments, and if you like, you can even address those comments or read them during the eulogy.

When you lose a loved one, comforting sentiments from friends and family can mean a lot. As a result, the interactive nature of a livestream and the ability to include many different people can be a salve to the people attending the funeral.

Is Livestreaming a Memorial Appropriate?

As technology advances and time moves forward, social mores change. For example, during Victorian times, photographs of deceased loved ones were extremely popular. Then, in the following decades, many people moved away from this practice. In reality, taking photos is not right or wrong. It’s simply a mourning practice that goes in and out of custom.

Similarly, livestreaming is not right or wrong. Many people find it comforting to be able to include loved ones from far away, but others may decide that a livestream isn’t right for them. Ultimately, your grief is your own, and you have the right to decide how you want to say goodbye to your loved one.

To learn more about planning a memorial and to get help making arrangements for your lost loved one, contact us today. At Cremations Only, we help clients with cremations and a range of funeral options. For example, some chapels already offer live streaming. We have a professional who can do it for families as well. We also record most services as all chapels have that facility. So families can share that recording online after the service. We offer you our sincere condolences on your loss, and we would be honoured to help you during this difficult time.

A grandparent’s death is often the first death that a child experiences and the first funeral they attend. Funerals can be bewildering for children, especially if they don’t know what to expect and don’t know how to act.

One of the kindest things you can do for your child at this difficult time is to make sure that they feel included, and that they are part of things. This short guide explains three simple ways to help a child feel involved with a grandparent’s funeral.

Explain what will happen in advance

A child may not understand what a funeral is — or why we have funerals — if they have not been to one before. They will get the most out of the service if they know in advance what will happen and why they are there, allowing them to feel involved and like they are part of the funeral.

Explain that the funeral is a way to remember their grandparent and say goodbye and that there will be songs, readings, and a eulogy in order to do so.

You should also let them know that they are allowed to laugh if a funny story is told, cry if they need to, or feel very sad even though people may describe the service as a celebration of life. The way that you will explain the funeral really depends on your child’s age, but they will only experience closure during the funeral if they understand why it is happening.

Let them be part of the funeral

This doesn’t necessarily mean that your child should stand up and sing a song or tell a story, although some children might want to do this. Think about your child’s interests and personality, and decide what is appropriate.

For example, if your child’s grandparent loved to hear them sing hymns, it might be nice for them to do so at the funeral. Other children might like to read a poem or prayer at the funeral. Funeral Guide offers a range of common funeral poems, but feel free to choose something more personal to your child.

For children who are shy or likely to be nervous on the day, you could let them write down a story that can be worked into the eulogy, have the funeral director read a poem or other reading on their behalf or record a piece of music in advance to play. If your child does not want to contribute anything or feels too shy, this is also fine, but some children may appreciate being given the option.

Give them an important task to do

By giving your child something to do at or for their grandparent’s funeral, you can also take some weight off your own shoulders, while letting your child feel that they are helping you on this difficult day. Children can help with many tasks on the day of the funeral.

Younger children could carry flowers for the coffin, lay out funeral programmes on the chairs, choose a special piece of jewellery for their grandparent to wear in their coffin or help to pick flowers. Older children and teenagers can take a more active role, helping to choose readings, greet people, serve refreshments or design a programme or memory book.

If you aren’t sure what your child could do, you can ask your funeral director for advice, as they are sure to have experienced this situation before.

The death of a beloved grandparent is undoubtedly difficult for any child, but making them feel involved by giving them tasks to do, explaining in advance what will happen and allowing them to be part of the service will give them the best chance of attaining closure on the day.

You may feel a little nervous or daunted if you have to deliver the eulogy at a loved one’s funeral. After all, you want to pay your respects in an appropriate way and to do your relative or friend proud.

However, if you’ve never made this kind of speech before, you may not know how to create the perfect tribute. The following points will help you create a suitable structure and craft respectful and personalised content.

Find Out How Long the Eulogy Should Last

Eulogies don’t last for set times. Some people deliver touching short tributes; others prefer to make a longer speech.

However, you can get a guideline time before you start writing if you prefer. The funeral service does work to a pre-set timescale and your eulogy might have to fit in with other parts of the service, such as hymns, music and readings.

If you aren’t sure how timings will work exactly during your service, ask your funeral director for advice. They can give you a guideline timing for the speech. It helps to know how much time you have before you start writing.

Create a Biographical Structure

It can be hard to know where to start writing a tribute to a loved one. You’re likely to have a lot of ideas about what you want to say but might not be sure how to organise them.

The simplest way to do this is to work to a basic biographical structure. Write down your loved one’s key life details from their birth to their death in chronological order.

So, jot down notes on the deceased’s family background as well as events like marriages and the birth of children and grandchildren. Once you have this information on paper, you have a basic structure for the speech. You can then start fleshing it out to make it more personal.

Add Personal Touches

An effective eulogy creates a picture of the person who has died. This resonates particularly well with relatives and close friends who knew them well; it also informs members of the congregation who may not have been as close to the deceased.

Anecdotes, stories and even jokes work well here. You can use these to illustrate some of your loved one’s special characteristics, qualities and habits. If the deceased had a favourite hobby, place to visit or things to do, then these are all worth mentioning.

Bear in mind that you don’t have to bear this burden alone. Talk to other family members or friends and ask them for their memories of the deceased. They will be a rich source of stories, anecdotes and jokes to enhance your eulogy.

Take the opportunity to say a final farewell

Eulogies work best when they reflect your own feelings, especially as you come to the end. You, and other people at the service, will benefit from closure at the end of your speech.

So, don’t be afraid to say your own goodbyes at the end of the eulogy. Say how much the person meant to you and how much you will miss them. You aren’t simply making a statement on your own behalf; you’re also talking for everyone else at the service.

Run the eulogy by other people

You’ll feel more confident about your eulogy if you run it by someone else before the service. So, for example, if you’re delivering your Mum’s eulogy, you could ask your siblings to read it. If you’re paying tribute to a friend, you could ask one of their other close friends to take a look.

This reassures you that you have included everything that is relevant and that you have set a good tone. Reading the eulogy aloud to someone else also gives you the chance to practice the speech before the big day and to check its timing.

For more advice on writing a eulogy, contact Cremations Only. As a family firm, we take pride in helping people create the perfect final tribute for their loved ones.