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Burial and Cremation

Traditional burial options

Many families we serve choose earth burial for final disposition and resting place. Burial in a cemetery provides friends and family members a memorial focal point to visit for years and generations to come.

Graveside committal rites can occur after a funeral service at our funeral home, church, or other venues. Some families choose to perform a graveside celebration in lieu of other events – in those cases, a visitation, gathering, or reception can occur before or after the committal.

  • Host a funeral service and a graveside service
  • Choose a graveside celebration to include visitation, gathering, etc. at one location

Direct burial is another option. The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial service may be held at the graveside at the time of burial or later. Direct burial is less expensive than burial with a traditional funeral and viewing. In some communities, it is called “green burial” because embalming chemicals are not used.

  • A green burial or direct burial occurs shortly after death with no embalming
  • Choose a graveside memorial in lieu of traditional funeral and viewing

Choosing both cremation and burial

Cremation does not limit the funeral options available. The deceased can be embalmed for viewing and visitation and then cremated after the service. An urn with some or all of the remains can be buried in a family plot with its own headstone or returned to the family.

The choice isn’t one or the other – cremation or burial – it is what best fits the circumstances and the family’s wishes and customs.

What is direct cremation?

With direct cremation, the body is cremated shortly after death, without embalming. The cremated remains are placed in an urn or other container. No viewing or visitation is involved, though a memorial service with or without the cremated remains present is common.

The remains can be kept in the home, buried, or placed in a crypt or niche in a cemetery, or buried or scattered in a favorite spot. Direct cremation usually costs less than a traditional, full-service funeral.

The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt is included only if the remains are buried or entombed. Costs include the funeral home’s basic services fee, as well as transportation and care of the body. A crematory fee may be included or, if the funeral home does not own the crematory, the fee may be added on. There also will be a charge for an urn or other container.

The urn, along with photographs and personal effects, can be incorporated as a focal point of a memorial service.

Can we have both a service and a cremation?

Yes. A service followed by cremation need be no different than a funeral service followed by ground burial. The deceased can be embalmed for visitation and the service and be cremated after.

The cremated remains are usually placed in an urn before being committed to a final resting place. The cremation urn may be interred in an existing family burial plot or placed in a cemetery columbarium. Some families chose to keep the urn with all or some of the remains. Others scatter cremated remains at a favorite place on land or water in accordance with state and local laws.

Scattering cremated remains on someone’s private property requires their permission. It is not recommended to scatter on your personal property or on public property where others may come into contact with the cremated remains.

  • Place urn in an existing family burial plot or cemetery columbarium
  • Keep cremation remains with a family member
  • Scatter remains in accordance with state law

For many people, it is important to have a permanent place to go to visit. This allows family and friends the ability to remember and celebrate a life that has been lived and touched others.

We’re here when you’re ready

You don’t need to make every decision right away. Our funeral directors are experts ready to guide you when the time feels right to make your own arrangements.