Can I Have a Ceremony With a Direct Cremation?

If you are talking with providers of cremation services in Irving, TX. about direct cremation, you may be wanting to know if you can have a viewing or visitation with this type of cremation. While there is not an opportunity to have a service before the direct cremation, there are several services and events you can hold after. Some of these include holding a memorial service, celebration of life event, or an ash scattering ceremony.

If you are not sure about what type of event you would like to hold for your loved one after their direct cremation, let’s look at each on a little closer to help you decide.

Memorial Service

A memorial service is much like a more traditional funeral service in that they are solemn, structured events. They can be religious and include readings of scriptures or prayers, or they can be more secular in nature. These events also mimic funeral services in that they tend to be quiet, reserved, somber events.

These services can be held at a church or other event space or even someone’s home. They are led by a master of ceremonies and allow time for eulogies, songs, and other traditional service elements.

Celebration of Life Event

If you would like to host an event that is less structured and livelier, then you would want to opt for a celebration of life event. These events are more like a party and less like a funeral service. There is typically no structure or predetermined outline of events. Instead, this is a time for family and friends to gather with one another and honor the life of the deceased rather than mourn their passing.

These events are focused more on being happy and joyful and remembering the deceased and all the good times. Friends and family can share stories and found memories of the loved one and pay tribute to their life on earth.

Ash Scattering Ceremony

An ash scattering ceremony, also called casting ceremonies, take place where the remains will be scattered and are open to be held in anyway the family would like. These ceremonies can be religious or secular in nature and can be quieter and more reserved, or lively and loud. There is truly no “right way” to hold this service.

The way the ashes are scattered can also be done in any manner the family wishes. For example, all the remains could be dispersed by one person such as the deceased’s spouse or someone who was closest to them. Another example that some families may choose is to have a symbolic toast and divide the ashes up into glasses. Each guest gets a glass and after the toast is said, everyone releases the ashes at one time.

Final Thoughts

You can see that while there is no time to hold services before a direct cremation, families have ample opportunities to hold a variety of services after. One advantage of this is that there is no rush to plan the event. Since the body has been taken care of, families have time to slow down, decompress and really plan a perfect event.

If you were worried that you would not be able to hold an event with cremation services in Irving, TX., you can see that there is a myriad of options available.