Given the way cremation services in Hamilton, NJ keep gaining popularity you probably know by now that selecting cremation does not preclude ceremonies.

As with a typical funeral, you can arrange a wake, viewing, or visitation with the family. Some families who choose cremation have a traditional service beforehand, while others wait until afterward to hold a memorial.

Now, the memorial service can be a standalone event or arranged together with the final disposition of the ashes like interment or scattering.

Below, we discuss some memorial ceremony options that can follow the cremation itself.

Interment/Burial – Graveside or committal service

If you are burying your loved one’s cremains, you can arrange an intimate service for family and friends to pay respects as you commit them to the earth.

Though the name derives from the service at the gravesite for burials, it also applies to interments at urn gardens, columbaria, or memorial sites.

Families may elect to have the committal as their only service. However, it often follows a funeral, especially with traditional ground burial.

A cremation ceremony planned around the committal might have a somber tone to it. This is because, even though cremated remains will replace the body, it’s still quite the realization to watch a loved one buried. One that can be highly emotional for most people.

Scattering

The most common cremation ceremonies often involve scattering. This is because not only is it less capital intensive to plan, but it’s also quite flexible. You can scatter ashes almost anywhere, barring state or private property owner prohibitions.

You can personalize the event by picking a location that meant something to the deceased in life. Some people choose dedicated burial places like a cemetery, so the deceased can rest among family.

Another factor families consider when deciding on a scattering site is whether they can visit in the future.

With this in mind, here are some ideas for planning a final farewell ceremony alongside scattering.

• Scattering at sea

Suppose a particular body of water meant something to your loved one. In that case, you can plan a destination memorial that ends in scattering their ashes there.

Ideally, you should be at least three nautical miles away from the shoreline before spreading cremated remains in water. You can incorporate a cruise on the beach or ocean or a personal boat ride into your plans as applies.

The rules may be a little stricter for inland bodies of water, like lakes, ponds, or rivers, so be sure to check with local authorities beforehand.

• Spreading from the air

Another way to approach scattering is to have an aircraft spread the ashes from above your chosen spot.

Unfortunately, this method may not be able to accommodate multiple people, meaning you might have to leave the scattering itself to a pilot or a trusted person.

• Scattering on land

If you are scattering ashes on land, you have options from your backyard to national parks and many places in between.

While many public places are usually open to scattering, some require that you get a permit first and may have their own rules regarding gathering.

If your loved one was big on nature, you might consider spreading their ashes around the root of a baby tree. That way, it becomes a living monument to them and provides a specific spot you can visit.

You may also place cremated remains in separate smaller urns after a celebration of life. This allows family members who may not all have access to a central spot the option of disposing of their portion in an individually accessible way.

Our staff can help develop more interment versus cremation service ideas in Hamilton, NJ. Give us a call today or visit us to plan a befitting ending based on your interests, from the treatment of the body to the ceremony.