When navigating the painful journey of loss, one of the first steps is deciding how to handle a deceased person’s remains. Funeral homes in Elmwood Park, IL, such as Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium, offer a wide range of options to accommodate different cultural, religious, and personal preferences. These options can be deeply personal and should reflect the life, values, and wishes of the deceased.
One of the most traditional options for handling a deceased person’s remains is burial. This involves placing the body in a casket and burying it in a cemetery. Graveside services often accompany this option, providing a tangible place for loved ones to visit and remember the departed.
Cremation is another common choice, where the body is incinerated, and the ashes, or ‘cremains,’ are returned to the family. Loved ones may choose to keep the remains in an urn, scatter them in a meaningful location, or inter them in a cemetery plot. The choice often depends on personal or religious beliefs, as well as the deceased’s wishes.
Green burial is an environmentally friendly and often less expensive alternative to traditional burial. The body is not embalmed with potentially toxic chemicals, and the grave is typically dug by hand. This natural approach can appeal to those who lived eco-conscious lives or wished to minimize their environmental impact.
In some cases, burial at sea might be an option. Certain organizations, particularly in coastal states, provide this service in line with EPA regulations. This option can be a fitting choice for those who had a deep connection with the sea.
Private property burials, where the body is buried on private land, are also possible, although they come with specific limitations and regulations that vary by state. This option may appeal to those who wish to rest in a place of personal significance.
For those who wish to contribute to medical research or education, body donation is an option. It’s a selfless act that can help future generations and advance medical science.
After cremation, one can opt for interment of cremains, where are buried in a cemetery. Alternatively, scattering of cremains allows to be spread in a location that held significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park or body of water.
A less traditional but increasingly popular option is to create memorial tattoos with a small amount of the cremains. Mixed with tattoo ink, the ashes become part of a permanent tribute to the loved one, marked on the body of the bereaved.
In addition to these options, Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium, one of the leading funeral homes in Elmwood Park, IL, can also help organize Celebrations of Life. These events focus less on mourning and more on the joy and love the deceased brought into the world, providing a healing experience for all involved.
The decision on how to handle a loved one’s remains is a deeply personal one. Whether it’s a traditional burial, cremation, green burial, or a unique option, each choice honors the life and memory of the deceased. At Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium, they understand and respect the significance of this decision and provide expert guidance to help you navigate this difficult time.