Do you know what will happen to you if you were to suddenly pass away today? What would your family go through? How would they handle the news and get all of the arrangements made for your funeral? You can control the situation even after you pass away if you take the time to pre-plan your own funeral. More people are taking the initiative and making all of their own funeral arrangements years in advance. The purpose of my blog is to help those who want to plan their own funerals get through it quickly, easily and knowing that their investment is protected for the future.
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Choosing Cremation: Four Things To Know About Columbariums
Stacy Carpenter
When your loved one chooses cremation, you may be left with a lot of questions about what to do after the cremation is completed. Your loved one may have requested that his or her cremains be placed in a columbarium. Your funeral home director can help you to make arrangements for this option, but there are some things you may want to know about columbariums before you make any final arrangements. Here are just a few things to know about this option.
What Is A Columbarium?
A columbarium is a structure that is made up of smaller niches. These niches are designed to hold cremation urns, and they provide a way to inter your loved one's cremains without having to purchase a burial plot. The structures can be simple, with a design made to look like a wall, or they can be contained in a larger building, which resembles a mausoleum. Contact your local cemetery to see which options are available, as you may find that some offer both the simple walls or the enclosed options for laying your friend or family member to rest.
How Do I Know Where My Loved One Is?
Columbariums do contain multiple spots for urns, but each niche is clearly labeled for you and your family. Some facilities will engrave just the person's name and date of birth and death, while others allow for a small message or quote to be added under the name. You may also be able to place a small bouquet of flowers next to your loved one's niche if there is a holder, or you can place flowers at the base of the structure when you come to visit.
How Does The Cemetery Maintain The Structure?
Cemeteries provide ongoing maintenance for columbariums, which can include regular cleanings and polishing of the name plates. Your cemetery may also lay wreaths during the holidays or place other respectful decorations during other times of the year. When you purchase your loved one's columbarium niche, you can ask which services are included in the perpetual care cost.
Can I Choose Where My Loved One Goes?
In some cases, you can request a certain spot in the columbarium for your loved one. However, this may depend on whether or not another person has already paid for that location. Speak to the staff at the cemetery if you have any special requests, and be sure to check with your funeral director to determine whether or not your loved one has pre-paid for a niche. He or she may have already requested a specific location during the pre-planning process.
Columbariums can provide families with some added comfort during the grieving process, as they provide you with a place to visit whenever you wish to pay your respects to your dearly departed. Talk to your funeral director about this option when you are planning your loved one's services, and decide whether or not it's the right option for your family. To learn more about cremation, contact a facility like Delaware Valley Cremation Center.
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