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CHOOSING BETWEEN A MEMORIAL SERVICE OR A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:46:50 GMT

CHOOSING BETWEEN A MEMORIAL SERVICE OR A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

An end-of-life service allows friends and family to honor a loved one who passed. These funeral home services give those who stay behind the opportunity to say goodbye and reflect on the meaning of life and death. A funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life also brings friends and family together to provide support to one another.

A funeral is a custom tradition in the United States. After the 1970s, Americans’ preference for cremations increased, and people started to realize the value of memorial services. During the past few decades, the desire to express a person’s individuality and rejoice in their memories gave rise to celebration of life services.

Today, those who want to commemorate a life can choose from a memorial service or celebration of life. This article takes an in-depth look at both services and the differences between them to help you decide.

A celebration of life is an event where friends and family can say goodbye to a loved one in a personal and unique way. People often view this service in the same light as a wedding or birth, and they want their end-of-life service to be a joyful occasion.

The idea is that those who attend the service should celebrate the person’s life, and it should not be a mournful or somber occasion, even though many may shed a tear. At a celebration of life service, it is not uncommon to see people wearing brightly colored clothing or to hear secular music.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

With a memorial service, the focus is on acknowledging the recent loss as real. Like a celebration of life service, a memorial service also pays tribute to a person’s life, but it is an opportunity to express grief and say goodbye to many people. Usually, the body is not present at a memorial service, which is one of the differences between a memorial service and a funeral.

KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A MEMORIAL SERVICE AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Knowing the differences between a memorial service and celebration of life will make it easier to decide which type of service is more suitable. There are several factors to consider, including the person’s wishes.

During their lifetime, a person may not say, in so many words, that they want a celebration of life or memorial service. However, they may have told their spouse that they want their end-of-life service to be a happy event or a religious ceremony.

The family’s wishes are also significant. For example, if the family members prefer a formal commemoration, a memorial service the appropriate option. However, if a person’s loved ones are going through a difficult time, a celebration of life service and the opportunity to share memories can lift their spirits.

Program

Memorial services typically follow a predetermined program. In the case of a Christian funeral, the memorial service will include a sermon and reading from Scripture. Close family members will also have the opportunity to deliver eulogies.

A celebration of life has less structure than a memorial service. Usually, friends and family come together, share memories, and have dinner. Friends and family can deliver a eulogy or toast during a celebration of life, but usually not as part of a fixed program.

The Focus on Faith

A memorial service or celebration of life can be secular or religious. In practice, religion tends to play a more prominent role at memorial services, while celebrations of life focus on the deceased’s life.

There are no rules, however, and religious end-of-life services vary in their customs. Christian families may want to host a celebration of life while allowing people can pay respects in a religious context. Likewise, a structured memorial service doesn’t have to include religious customs.

General Atmosphere

At a memorial service, people are generally silent, and there is a consecrated atmosphere. Laughter and even casual conversation may be inappropriate, especially with close family members nearby who are in mourning.

During a celebration of life, on the other hand, laughter and talking are more acceptable. There may even be music playing in the background, which creates a livelier atmosphere than the organ and hymns usually heard during a memorial service.

Dress Code

Attendees to a memorial service typically wear conservative or traditional funeral clothing in dark colors such as black or navy. Wearing the appropriate clothing shows respect to the deceased, and it doesn’t detract from the reason for the service.

At a celebration of life, the attendees’ attire can be more casual, but it still has to be respectful. The service location typically determines the dress code.

Location

People usually hold memorial services at a church or funeral home with a crematory. A celebration of life service can take place at any location, including a church, family member’s house, or civic building. Outdoor areas such as a riverbank, botanical garden, or park are also popular locations for these services.

Families often hold celebrations of life at places of significance, such as the deceased’s favorite bar, a restaurant, or clubhouse.

WHAT IS A FUNERAL SERVICE?

A funeral is an end-of-life service where the deceased’s casket is present. At a memorial service, the burial or cremation has already taken place. A memorial service can be part of a funeral or a cremation, depending on the family’s wishes.

A memorial service and funeral are similar in terms of dress code, atmosphere, structure, and location, and people often use the words “funeral” and “memorial service” interchangeably.

PERSONALIZE THE FUNERAL SERVICE

When it comes to the commemoration of a loved one, a family has several options available. At Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, we help families honor their loved ones through a personalized service that brings family and friends together and promotes healing.

Our funeral service professionals in Cumming, GA, can arrange a memorial service or celebration of life to pay tribute to someone you lost. Contact us today to explore the different funeral service options that are available to you.

HOLIDAY MEMORIAL SERVICE

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:41:45 GMT

HOLIDAY MEMORIAL SERVICE

You, your family and friends are cordially invited to view our Holiday Memorial Service (live stream) on Sunday December 6, 2020 at 2:00pm.

Have a candle available during the service as we light a candle in honor of your loved one.

After the live service, a recording will be uploaded to our Facebook page and website for your viewing.

Due to COVID-19, the service will not be open to the public

Remembering our loved ones who have passed away and finding hope for tomorrow.

This year while you shop, buy two!

Purchase more this holiday season – one for your family and one for a family in need. We are a Toys for Tots Drop Off Center. You can drop off gifts anytime between November 1– December 14. If you have any questions, please call us at 770-887-2388.

Drop off site:
Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory
210 Ingram Ave
Cumming, Georgia 30040

HOW TO CHOOSE A FUNERAL HOME IN CUMMING, GA

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:28:56 GMT

HOW TO CHOOSE A FUNERAL HOME IN CUMMING, GA

Choosing a funeral home and making funeral arrangements after the death of a loved one is difficult. You are understandably grieving, and determining the best place to prepare your dear departed for their final rest can cause added stress. Brace yourself for new terminology and the need for decisiveness, even while you’re in mourning when making decisions is the last thing on your mind.

Equipping yourself with knowledge beforehand may seem morbid. However, familiarizing yourself with the funeral process can lift a great weight from your shoulders in the event of a passing family member or dear friend. At Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory in Cumming, GA, we are here to provide you with whatever information, support, and end-of-life services you may need during this emotionally difficult time.

Such an occasion can be uncomfortable and awkward, especially if you are the next-of-kin, but discussing arrangements before a person passes can be a great help to those left behind. Whether you are thinking ahead about your own funeral or talking with a friend or family member about their final wishes, this is a meaningful conversation to be having.

FAMILIARIZATION WITH THE FUNERAL PROCESS

If you are not familiar with the funeral-arranging process, now might be a good time to review the different kinds of funerals. Depending on the preferences of the deceased, you may need to prepare for a casket burial or make plans for cremation. You will also need to make preparations for transportations of the deceased to the funeral home.

Your Rights when Arranging a Funeral

You have a few specific rights as you begin planning for a funeral. These rights include:

The right to refuse embalming the deceased
The right to only buy the specific services that you request for the funeral
The right to a written statement of your requested services before issuing payment to the establishment
The right to refuse casket burial
The right to provide an alternative burial enclosure without incurring additional fees

Determine Your Needs for Cremation or Burial

Your needs when choosing a funeral home will vary from situation to situation. It is important to consider the preference for cremation over a casket burial. In some cases, if a funeral home doesn’t provide cremation services, you may need to contact a crematory separate from the funeral home. At Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, we can provide either type of service. If you are preparing for cremation, be aware that urn selection will differ from casket selection.

Organizations to Know

When searching for a funeral home in your area, consider if the mortuary business is connected with organizations like The National Funeral Directors Association or the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. These institutions offer educational resources, training, and certifications for the funeral industry. You can expect businesses that belong to these networks to provide services that meet professional standards.

CONSIDER THE COSTS OF DIFFERENT SERVICES

Primarily, you will want to respect the wishes of the deceased when planning for a burial or cremation. However, it is also prudent to consider the costs required by each service and funeral home of your choice. Knowing an estimate of the costs of each available service will help you decide which establishment may be best for you and the family of the deceased.

Options for Payment

Before you begin planning for a funeral or looking for a funeral home, make a budget for the services you will need. Having a budget in mind will expedite the timeline of your preparations.

You may worry if the services that you need are outside of your planned budget. In most cases, funeral homes will offer payment plan options to ease the financial burden. You should factor these options when comparing funeral homes.

Paying the cost of the funeral over time can relieve a significant amount of financial strain, even if you make arrangements for a funeral that fits within your budget. Don’t let the price of the cremation or burial services overwhelm you.

Determining Your Needs for a Casket or Cremation Urn

If the personal preferences of the deceased include cremation, you will need an urn to carry the remains. The funeral home staff may be able to assist with urn selection if it specializes in cremation. You are not required to make a selection provided by the funeral home, however, since you will not incur fees for providing your own container for the remains.

For a casket burial, you will need to select a casket, and your funeral home of choice will likely have several models from which you can choose. As with cremation urns, providing a casket or coffin that is not directly from the funeral home will not incur additional fees. In most cases of casket burial, the expenses include the cost of embalming if you will have a viewing or if the funeral will not take place immediately.

The deceased may have expressed a desire for alternative arrangements for their final rest. Green options like a shroud or unornamented box can be ecologically sound as well as economical for the survivors. Direct cremations and burials can also be very cost-effective.

FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE

Final expense insurance can appear as “funeral insurance,” “burial insurance,” or “modified whole life insurance.” Final expense insurance doesn’t differ much from standard life insurance. Mainly, its purpose is to resolve the problems of high life insurance premiums due to age and health. If the deceased had purchased a final expense insurance policy, check to find out if the benefits include funeral coverage.

COMPARING FUNERAL HOMES AND NARROWING YOUR CHOICES

After you have determined what you will need from your funeral home, you should compare your needs with funeral homes in your area. You may wish to choose a locally owned funeral home over a commercially owned business. Locally owned establishments have often served the community for generations.

VISIT YOUR TOP FUNERAL HOME CHOICES

Once your comparisons are complete, you should visit your top choices. A visit to the location can familiarize you with the staff and premises. A rude or unconcerned staff during a visitation can help eliminate undesirable businesses. The disposition of the people that will help you during the funeral might be a significant factor when making your choice.

MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION

When your visitations have concluded, you can rely on your gathered knowledge to select the right funeral home for your loved one’s needs. Be sure to make written arrangements with the establishment of your choice. Then, you can work with the staff to proceed with the rest of the funeral process.

For caring and reliable funeral and crematory services in North Georgia, please call the professional team at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, GA, at (770)-887-2388 to make arrangements for your loved one’s burial.

FEMA: COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:57:13 GMT

FEMA: COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE

By ingramfh

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide ﬁnancial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April 2021.
FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through the dedicated call center: 844-684-6333 or TTY: 800-462-7585. Additional guidance is being ﬁnalized and a dedicated toll-free phone number to call to apply for funeral assistance will soon be published HERE on the FEMA website. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation.

Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:

● The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
● The death certiﬁcate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
● The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualiﬁed alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
● There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen,
non-citizen national, or qualiﬁed alien.

How to Apply?
FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through the dedicated call center:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
844-684-6333 or TTY: 800-462-7585