cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO
Personal Mementos That Can Be Cremated With Your Loved One

We all have those special items. Those possessions just mean the world to us. Those items that we would want to be buried with. But what if we wish to be cremated instead of buried? Can they be included in the cremation? While not all items are allowed, the good news is that there are several items that are. To learn more, keep reading as providers of cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO. share what is, and what isn’t allowed with cremation.

Items That Are Permitted to be Included with Cremation

There are several items that are allowed to be part of the cremation. This can range from personal items to a special toy or even handwritten notes from loved ones. Other items include:

  • Favorite photographs
  • Flowers
  • Pieces of clothing or a special blanket
  • Books and Magazines
  • Small wooden items (an example would be rosary beads)
  • Special notes or letters
  • Stuffed toys such as a stuffed animals might be allowed
  • Certain jewelry might be permitted
  • Items Not Permitted to be Included in Cremation

While there are several items that are allowed with cremation, there are some that are not. This is mostly due to safety or environmental concerns as they may become dangerous. These items that are not allowed include:

  • Lighters
  • Anything with a battery in it
  • Any glass items
  • Bottles of alcohol
  • Anything made from materials including rubber, latex, leather, or vinyl
  • Pacemakers
  • Any containers made from glass or plastic

While these items are not allowed, this may not be a complete list as it may differ in your location. Your cremation provider will be able to inform you of the specific items not permitted in your state or area.

What Type of Clothes are Allowed in Cremation?

Typically, most clothing items are acceptable and permitted in cremation. The exceptions would be if the material or any added design elements would be not permitted. For example, clothes made from synthetic materials may be hazardous to burn and therefore not allowed in the cremation chamber.

If you have any questions or concerns about your loved one’s attire for the cremation process, talk with your cremation director and they can help you select the most appropriate outfit.

A Note About Including Items with Direct Cremationcremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO

If families wish to have what is called a “direct cremation”, there may not be time to have personal items included. This is because direct cremation is a very fast and streamlined process that does not allow for the time prior to the cremation for services such as funerals, visitations, etc.

If you wish to have items included in the cremation, but want a direct cremation, it is imperative that you discuss this with your cremation provider before any services have been decided to ensure they can accommodate this request.

Final Thoughts

Having items included in the passing of a loved one has been taking place for thousands of years. This can be seen with the pharaohs in Egypt with their burial chambers full of items to be used for the afterlife. Today, there are still many people who wish to have a special memento buried or cremated with them. To learn more about what items can be included with cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO. feel free to reach out to us anytime.

cremation services in Lakewood, CO
How Best Prepare for a Loved One’s Death

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Even if you are aware that it will be happening due to illness or aging, it can still leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed. While it’s never easy, if you prepare ahead of time as much as you can, it will help ensure everything is handled correctly when the time comes. As providers of cremation services in Lakewood, CO., we have these ways you can help you and your family prepare.

Call a Family Meeting

Call on your family members and get together for a family meeting. This could be just your immediate family, or if you wish, you can have your extended family involved as well. The choice is yours on who you would like to have been involved with.

During this meeting, you will need to discuss key issues such as:

  • Who will be responsible for making the funeral arrangements?
  • Who will be the main caregiver?
  • Who will help to handle their affairs and make sure they are all in order?
  • How will their memory be honored?
  • Are there any special final wishes the loved one has and who will ensure those happen?

Make sure to note everything that is said and assigned so there are no questions or confusion once the time comes.

Gather All Important Documentscremation services in Lakewood, CO

Making sure you have all the documents you need to complete and organized can go a long way in helping everything run smoothly later. Some of the documents you should have are:

  • A Power of Attorney (POA) – This document allows you the right and legal authority to make decisions on behalf of your loved one. These decisions can be financial and/or medical should they become incapable of doing do.
  • A Will – This document is important as it outlines any final wishes your loved one has as well as how they want their estate to be handled and divided.
  • An Advance-Directive – This document will outline any wishes your loved one has when it comes to their end-of-life care. This also includes things like DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).
  • List of Passwords – Having a list of your loved one’s passwords will help immensely when trying to handle their accounts
  • Any paperwork from cemeteries or funeral homes – If your loved one preplanned any arrangements, make sure to have any and all paperwork and contracts

Spend Time With Them

Making sure you have all of the important documents and tasks delegated is great, but make sure you spend as much time as you can with your loved ones before they are gone. You can use this time to talk to them about their life. Ask them questions like what was their proudest moment, or what are they most happy about. Learn about their childhood by asking about their school and friends. Learn all you can about who they were and what their life was truly like.

By taking the time now to plan for what comes later, after their cremation services in Lakewood, CO. you and your family will be able to focus on honoring your loved one rather than having the stress and anxiety of trying to organize everything then.

cremation services in Aurora, CO
Is Direct Cremation Affordable?

If you are preplanning your own cremation services in Aurora, CO., or need services for a loved one, you may be considering direct cremation. With cremation quickly rising and being chosen more and more over traditional burials, more people are choosing this option every day. However, unless you have looked into this service before, you probably have questions. One of the most important being, is direct cremation affordable?

The answer to this is yes. Not only is direct cremation affordable, but it is also the most economical option you can choose. The reason for this is due to the fact that this is a very basic, very minimal service. While this is fine for some, others may prefer an option with more services included such as visitation. Let’s look a little more at what makes direct cremation affordable so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for you or not.

What is Included in Direct Cremation?

As stated above, the reason direct cremation is less expensive is that it only offers basic services. These services begin with the collection of the body. Once the body has been collected, the paperwork is then filled out and completed. Next, the cremation will take place and the remains are then returned to the family in a temporary urn.

What is Not Included in Direct Cremation?

You can see that direct cremation is a simple process moving from one step to the next. While many families appreciate this, as they feel it brings them closure faster, other families may wish for time for services such as a viewing. With direct cremation, there is simply no time for a viewing or any other type of service.

More Services Mean More Money

When you start adding more services, such as viewing, the overall cost is going to increase. For example, with viewing you will be adding on costs for things like embalming and preparing the body, purchasing or renting a casket, and a fee for the funeral home hosting the service. When you keep things simple with a direct cremation, the costs stay low.

Should I Choose Direct Cremation?

With direct cremation being the most economical choice, it still may not be right for everyone. While it has a lot of pros, there are still some cons as well. Let’s compare some of these to you can have a clearer picture is this is the right choice for you.

Pros

Budget-friendly – It is the least expensive option.

Less stress – The simple process eases some of the burden families can feel at this time.

More time to plan- With the body being cremated and not at risk for decomposition, it gives families more time to plan a service afterward if they wish

Conscremation services in Aurora, CO

Strict timeline – With the process being quick, there is typically no time for the family to say final goodbyes

No time for visitation – Families do not have time beforehand for any services such as a visitation

When you are considering cremation services in Aurora, CO., and want an affordable option, ask about direct cremation.

cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO
Healing With a Grief Support Group

After your loved one’s cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO., it can sometimes be difficult to know where to go to get help. You are grieving and going through a very difficult time. Your friends and family have the best of intentions, but just may not be able to help. They may struggle to find the right things to say or do. Because of this, you may find that you begin to isolate and seclude yourself from others. After all, it’s hard to be around other people that just don’t understand what you are feeling.

In times like these, you may need to surround yourself with people who are also grieving the loss of a loved one. People who understand the feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, and loss you may be experiencing.

Reaching out and finding a support group you can connect with can really help you start to heal. Luckily, today, there are a ton of options both for in-person groups as well as online. Before we talk about where to find these groups, let’s first talk about how in-person and online groups differ and which one might work best for you.

Should I Attend In-Person or Online?

Both in-person and online grief support groups can be amazing resources to help you in this difficult time. However, since these formats differ, some people may prefer one over the other.

For example, with in-person groups, you can create more of a connection with the other members of the group. You may even make friends with some of them and do things together outside of the group. However, these groups are held at a set day and time so if you have a busy schedule, it may be difficult to attend.

On the flip side, while online groups don’t allow that in-person connection, many, like Facebook groups, allow you to post and be involved anytime day or night. So, if you have a hectic schedule, a group like this where you can “pop in” when you have time, might be helpful.

Once you decide which option may be best for you, here are some places to contact :

  • Churches (In-person) – Many churches offer a variety of in-person groups and counseling. If you are a current member of a church, reach out to them and ask if there is anything available. If you do not belong to any certain church, that is okay as you do not need to be a member to attend these groups. Simply look up churches in your area and see if they have any grief support groups you can attend.
  • City Health Districts (In-person) Many cities offer in-person groups through the city health department. Simply call your local city health office and inquire about any groups or resources they may have.
  • Facebook (Online) There are hundreds of support groups on Facebook. Many of them are specific to the typecremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO of loss that has occurred such as “Grieving the loss of a dad”, or “Grieving widows”. These groups are free and typically aren’t structured like a group session would be, which may or may not be something you like.
  • GriefinCommon.com (Online) – This website is an online resource where you can have individual help as well as find group sessions. There is a slight cost with the group sessions running about $25. There are also many other sites like this one. Simply do a Google search and it will yield a long list of options.

Whichever type of group you find after your loved one’s cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO. know that you are taking an important step. It is not always easy to reach out and seek help and in doing so you are already starting the healing process. If you need any further resources or help in any other way, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to help.

cremation services in Thornton, CO
Paperwork to Gather Before Your Parents Pass

As we get older, our roles with our parents often change. We start out with them taking care of us as we grow up and become adults. Then, as time goes on and we ourselves become older, we being to take on the parental role making sure our parents are safe and looked out after. One element that is sometimes difficult to face is that they will not be with us forever. While they are, providers of cremation services in Thornton, CO. suggest talking with them about their last wishes as well as gathering up any important documents.

If you aren’t sure exactly what documents you should talk to your parents about, we have compiled a small list of some of the most important. Of course, every family and individual will have different circumstances, but this should give you a good starting point.

Medical Documents

These documents include papers that will help your loved ones should you need to be in the hospital or have medical care. They include:

  • An Advance Health Care Directive – This document is a combination of their Living Will and the naming of a Health Care Proxy
  • Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR) – If it is their wish that doctors do not try and resuscitate them, they will need to fill out this DNR order.
  • HIPAA Authorization – This is to allow their private health information to be released to the parties they name.

Financial Documents

It is important to make sure if your parents become unable to care for themselves you have certain documents allowing you control over their finances. Also, you will need to make sure to talk with them and gather things such as:

  • A Financial Power of Attorney (POA) – This document is imperative in assigning someone to handle their finances if they are unable to do so
  • Tax Returns – Make sure they have these available for you. No more than the past six years should be needed.
  • Vehicle Titles – Gather any and all vehicle titles they may have.
  • Stock Certificates – Gather any documents related to stocks they own or savings bonds
  • Any Deeds – Deeds such as housing, cemetery, or land
  • Loans and Payments – Documents showing any loans they have as well as payments made
  • 401(k) – Papers relating to their 401(k) and retirement accounts

Personal Documentscremation services in Thornton, CO

While this isn’t a complete list and your parents may have more or less depending on their life circumstances, here are some personal documents to keep in mind:

  • Marriage LicenseGather documents showing they have been married and/or divorced
  • List of Passwords – Compile a list of passwords for accounts as well as login codes for items such as their computer and phone
  • Digital Estate Plan – This document outlines how they would like your social media accounts to be handled
  • Last Will and Testament – This will appoint those who will inherit their assets if no beneficiary is named on an account
  • Letter of Instruction – This document instructs how they would like their last wishes to be carried out such as where they would like to be buried.

Providers of cremation services in Thornton, CO. understand it can be a difficult conversation when it comes to talking with your parents about their passing. However, making sure all documents and paperwork are in order before they pass will be so beneficial to you and them in the long run.

cremation services in Aurora, CO
A Short Guide to Mausoleums

If you want to place your loved one’s remains in a cemetery after their cremation services in Aurora, CO., one option you have is to have them placed in a mausoleum. While mausoleums can be found in many cemeteries all over the world, many people are still unfamiliar with them or the benefits they can provide. Today we are going to talk about mausoleums and what you need to know about them to help you decide if it’s the best option for you and your family.

What is a Mausoleum?

For those who are not familiar, a mausoleum is a free-standing structure that is built to house the remains of the deceased. An urn would consist of an enclosing for interment and with a burial, this space would be a burial chamber.

Types of Mausoleums

There are several types of mausoleums families can choose from. The most common include:

  • Garden (or Outside) Mausoleums – These structures are typically a shared space where the crypts and enclosures are located outdoors
  • Indoor Mausoleums – This is a shared space where the crypts and enclosures are located indoors
  • Private Mausoleums – These are private spaces typically for a family. These can be indoor or outdoor spaces.

Why Families May Choose a Mausoleum Over Ground Burial

There are several reasons why families may choose to place their loved one’s cremated remains in a mausoleum rather than bury them. Some of the most common reasons we see include:

  • Mausoleums can offer a quiet place to visit and honor their loved one
  • These structures can provide a very distinct and elaborate memorial
  • Mausoleums offer an alternative to using cemetery grounds which are becoming more scarce
  • With indoor mausoleums, family and friends can visit their loved ones and be protected from the elements while doing so

How Does a Mausoleum Burial Work?

A mausoleum burial or interment works much like a traditional ground burial. Family and friends gather at the cemetery after the funeral service for a committal ceremony. After this ceremony, the urn with the deceased’s ashes is then interred in the mausoleum. Depending on the mausoleum, it may or may not be accessible after it is closed at the end of the internment.

How Much Do Mausoleums Cost?cremation services in Aurora, CO

Knowing how much a mausoleum or an urn enclosure inside one will cost is difficult as there are so many variables that can affect the price. For a private, custom-built mausoleum, they can range from a single-person one at about $35,000 to those that can house an entire family for around $300,000 all the way to $600,000 or even more. Of course, this price would be much less for an enclosure space in a public mausoleum.

Final Thoughts

Mausoleums can make a wonderful choice for those who may wish to choose cremation as their form of disposition yet still be laid to rest in a cemetery. With several types and prices to choose from, families have several options.

If you would like more information about mausoleums or spaces inside after your loved one’s cremation services in Aurora, CO, give us a call today. We are happy to answer all of your questions.

cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO
How to Write a Meaningful Eulogy for Your Mother

Writing a eulogy for your mother after her passing can be overwhelming. You are undoubtedly dealing with intense feelings of loss and sadness and trying to put thoughts onto paper may be the last thing you feel you can do right now. As providers of cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO. we understand how challenging this can be.

Key Takeaways:

To write a meaningful eulogy, it is best to tell your relationship to the deceased. You can reflect on the unique traits that made them special and share fond memories. You can also think of stories or inspirational quotes that best capture their spirit. When crafting a eulogy, consider your audience’s beliefs and the type of message most fitting for the occasion.

One thing that can help is to take this big task and break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks. Taking the eulogy and breaking it down into individual sections can give your mind a break from trying to figure it all out at once. Instead, you can simply focus and complete each section and before you know it, the entire eulogy will be complete. To help you get started, we are going to cover what each section should be as well as examples of what it can include.

1. Write an Introduction

Write An Introduction

The introduction is an important section as it will set the mood and overall tone of the eulogy. It is typical in this section to begin by introducing yourself as well as letting people know you are the deceased’s son/daughter. You will also want to take this time to thank the guests for attending. This could look something like this:

“Hello everyone, I’m (name) and I am (name) son/daughter. I want to start off by thanking you all for being here today to celebrate my mother’s wonderful life.”

 

2. Add Personal Details

Add Personal Details

The next section after the introduction is when you want to share more about your mother. Describe what she enjoyed, what she was like, what she was passionate about, and anything else that shows her characteristics and personality. This could be something such as:

“My mother was always joking around and had a very funny sense of humor. She grew up in a household that believed laughter was the best medicine and kept this tradition alive in our household as well.”

 

3. Add Anecdotes

Add Anecdotes

In this next section, think about a short anecdote you can share about your mother. This may be about one of your mother’s most memorable moments or a simple story that truly defines their personality. Some ideas to get inspiration from can be:

  • A favorite childhood memory
  • A funny moment that only you and your mother shared
  • A meaningful tradition you shared
  • Something that she did for you as a child
  • Something she taught you

4. Finish With a Closing

Finish With A Closing

The final section you will need to write is the closing. This is the time when you thank guests for coming. You can also choose to include a meaningful thought, poem, lyric from a song, or some other meaningful message. This section could be something like this:

“I feel so blessed to have as much time as I did with my mother. Thank you all for coming out today to celebrate her memory of her. (Poem or lyrics could be added here).”

While it can be tough writing a eulogy for your mother after her cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO, if you break it down, and just take it section by section, it can become much more manageable.

cremation services in Lakewood, CO
Wearing Your Wedding Ring After the Death of Your Spouse

Losing a spouse can be devasting. They have been your partner in life. They were the person you saw each morning when you woke up. They were the ones that you shared your secrets with and the ones that you loved with all of your heart. Figuring out how to navigate this new reality after their cremation services in Lakewood, CO. can just seem overwhelming.

One aspect you will need to figure out is what to do with your wedding ring. Should you still wear it? For how long? Are there other options of things you can do with it to still keep it close to you? With this ring being such an important piece of not only jewelry but of history and representation of love, you want to ensure you treat it with the respect it deserves. Keep reading for ideas to do with your wedding ring after the death of your spouse.

1. Move It to Your Right Hand

It is very common for those who have been widowed to move their wedding ring over to their right hand and continue wearing it. This can be a good option if you are not ready to stop wearing your ring completely.

Many people who move the ring to the right hand do so and wear it there indefinitely while others may choose to only have this be a temporary move before removing the ring completely.

It is important to consider that many times, although wearing your ring on the right hand signifies you are a widower, it also is portrayed by many that you are ready and open to date again. If this is not the case, you may wish to keep your ring on your left hand until you feel ready.

2. Place it on a necklace

Wearing your ring on a necklace can make a great option for those who wish to keep the ring close to their heart. It can also be seen by others and will represent your current status so that you won’t have to explain so much that you are a widower.cremation services in Lakewood, CO

3. Put it Away

If you are not sure what you want to do with your ring or you simply feel as if right now you are not ready to see it every day, putting it away in a safe place is an option. This could be a safe or other secure location. Having the ring in a secure spot will give you the peace of mind that you still in fact have the ring and it is available for you at any time. In the meantime, it is safe and will be protected from damage.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what to do with your wedding ring after your loved one’s cremation services in Lakewood, CO can be a tough decision. Know that you don’t have to decide right away and even what you decide may change several times as you move through processing your grief and learning how to adapt to this new reality.

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Memorializing a Facebook Account

Social media plays a big role in our lives today. Most everyone you know has a Facebook account as this is the social media giant that started it all. But what happens to the account after someone passes away? Are there steps you should take to determine how your account is handled when you are gone? What does it mean to have an account “memorialized”? As providers of cremation services in Denver, CO. we often get asked these questions and more.

Today we are going to share what you need to know about Facebook accounts and how they can be handled when it comes to passing away. Note that the information here is specific to the Facebook platform. This means that if you or your loved one had additional accounts on other platforms, such as Twitter, you would need to contact them directly as each platform has its own policies in regard to how accounts are handled after passing away.

About Memorialized Facebook Accounts

If your loved one did not set a legacy contact or choose to have their account deleted after they pass, you can have the account “memorialized”.

Memorializing your loved one’s Facebook account after they pass is a way to keep their profile page visible and allow friends and family to have a virtual place to visit and share photos and memories.

Once the account has been memorialized some of its features will change. These changes include:

  • The page will no longer appear in any public searches as in “People You May Know” or birthday suggestions
  • The word “Remembering” will be added to the person’s profile next to their name to signify it is a memorial page
  • Friends may or may not be able to share photos on the memorialized timeline (if they can or not will be determined by what setting the account had chosen)
  • The content that was previously posted on the timeline will remain.
  • The account will remain as is and nobody will be allowed to log into the account to make changes

How to Memorialize a Facebook Account

To have a loved one’s account memorialized after they pass, you will need to contact Facebook directly. You may need digital files to include with the online request such as the death certificate, personal identification, and proof of relationship to the deceased.

Setting a Legacy and Deleting Accountfuneral homes in Lakewood, CO

Facebook allows users to determine ahead of time what will happen to their account if they pass. Users can go into their settings to choose which option they would like to have.

The two options are:

  • Setting a legacy contact – This appointed legacy will be able to log into the account and have limited access.
  • Delete account after passing – This setting tells Facebook that upon being notified of their death, to completely delete their account and all content.

If your loved one did not choose one of these options, then after their cremation services in Denver, CO, you will be able to contact Facebook and request for it to be memorialized.

cremation services in Thornton, CO
Top Reasons People Put Off Preplanning Cremation Services

Preplanning your final arrangements is something that most all people admit is very important. However, many of these same people will never actually make their arrangements. This could be for a myriad of reasons. Today we are going to look at some of the top reasons providers of cremation services in Thornton, CO. hear why people put off this important planning.

I’m Too Busy

Look, we get it. In this day and age, we are all running around multitasking from one project and chore to the next. Between work, school, kids, bills, and more it is easy to put things off. The thing is though, we seem to have time for things we put a value on. For example, even though you may be busy when your child has an activity such as a recital, you make the time to attend. The same s true with your preplanning needs. You need to realize the value and then you will be much easier to find the time.

I’m Too Young

Many people think that preplanning final arrangements are something you do later in life when you are older. However, nothing in this world is guaranteed and even if you are young and healthy, nobody can ever guarantee how much time you have in this world. Even if you don’t make the actual final arrangements, you can still begin thinking and planning for them by starting a savings account or at least making your last wishes known in writing.

I Don’t Want to Think About My Death

This is probably the most common reason people put off preplanning their final arrangements. Thinking about one’s own mortality and facing death can be a very uncomfortable issue for many people. However, once they begin preplanning, many realize that the comfort it brings to them knowing their last wishes are taken care of and the stress will be off of their family, outweighs this uncomfortable feeling.

Why You Should Preplancremation services in Thornton, CO

Even though these are all valid reasons, they are not reason enough to ignore preplanning your arrangements. Not only does preplanning ensure your last wishes are made known and followed, but it eases the stress and burden off of your family at the time of your passing.

When you pass, your loved ones will be experiencing feelings of pain, loss, sorry, and grief. They will have a lot to handle such as bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and more. Help ease their burden by taking away the stress of making your final arrangements.

Final Thoughts

There are a ton of reasons people may put off making their final arrangements for cremation services in Thornton, CO. However, we hope in this article we have been able to break through some of these most common reasons to help give you motivation and inspiration to put them aside and final start the pre-planning process. When you are ready, please know that we are here and happy to help guide you to ensure everything gets addressed and nothing gets overlooked.

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End-of-Life Preplanning Presentations at St. Gianna Molla Parish on April 23rd and 25th. Seating is limited.

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