What happens when someone requests no funeral?

Direct cremation, or no-servie cremation is when a family chooses not to have a traditional service or ceremony. In it’s simplest form, it is the collection of your loved one, the cremation of their body and the return of their ashes to you. Many families that choose this option have a ceremony or service of their own.

Can you ask not to have a funeral?

There is no law that says you have to have a funeral, but the law does state that you must “dispose of the body of the person who has died by burial, cremation or any other means” (Births and Deaths Registration). Generally your options are: You can search for funeral directors in your area using our free search tool.

What’s the difference between visitation and funeral?

It can be helpful to know the differences between these services before you attend, as well as the appropriate visitation or funeral etiquette so that you know what to expect. Most visitations are held at the funeral home or the family’s home before the funeral itself.

What is the difference between a viewing and a visitation?

Frequently the viewing is done prior to a traditional funeral service and guests are invited to come to the service early in order to view the deceased. Visitation services are times when the family makes itself available to friends other family members who wish to express their sympathy directly.

Is a funeral service necessary?

When we experience the death of someone we love, a funeral service fills several important needs. Funerals helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died. Funerals allow us to say goodbye. Funerals offer continuity and hope for the living.

Can you have a burial without a funeral?

Direct burial is a burial option in which the body is buried in the days immediately after death, without a formal funeral service or graveside service before the burial. Direct burial is the most affordable burial option.

Can you have a burial without a church service?

A non-religious funeral can be held anywhere. The ceremony can take place at a crematorium or cemetery chapel, natural burial site or in a non-religious venue such as a parish hall or hotel. Services can also be held in some of our larger funeral homes or even in your own home.

Are funeral visitations formal?

Typically, visitations are less formal events then funerals because a visitation is a gathering, and a funeral is a formal service.

What happens during a visitation?

The immediate family of the deceased is usually available during a visitation. During this gathering, you are given the opportunity to “visit” with the family and perhaps view the body of the deceased. The focus of a viewing is seeing the body of the deceased and the family is typically present as well.

Can you view a body without embalming?

Many funeral homes will not allow a public viewing unless embalming is performed. It is not a state or federal law that embalming be required. Fortunately, under most circumstances, dry ice can be used for viewing the body, having a visitation, or simply preserving the body for burial within 48 – 72 hours after death.

Can you request a memorial service instead of a funeral?

Memorial service and dinner. Maybe you don’t want a traditional funeral held in a funeral home. But you still might want some of the same aspects of a funeral. If that’s the case, you can request that your family and friends hold a memorial service. It can be as similar to or different from a traditional funeral as you wish.

What if I want to be cremated instead of buried?

If you choose to be cremated rather than buried, you could also ask for family members to add some of your ashes to a BioUrn or mix it with the dirt used to plant the tree. Memorial service and dinner. Maybe you don’t want a traditional funeral held in a funeral home, but you still want some of the same aspects of a funeral.

What is direct burial and is it right for You?

Because direct burial does not include a formal funeral or any pre-funeral events, many of the costs of a traditional funeral are avoided. The body is usually buried in a simple container, rather than an expensive casket. There is no viewing, visitation, or wake before the burial, which eliminates the need for embalming.

Is it okay to not have a funeral?

While foregoing a funeral is still not by any means the norm, there are ways to still mourn the loss as a community without going against the last requests of your loved one. If you would like other information or ideas on memorializing your loved one, head to the memorial section of our blog.