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| Times are changing visitation is fading away here. Along with the embalming and the open casket thing.
I had a bad experience with a pre-paid funeral for my MIL. A independent funeral home with cemetery was bought by Dignity Corporation, yes the company being big in health care. It was set up by my wife's step father, who died about 10 years before. His grand parents and parents are all buried there. But before the mega corporation took it over. Until I got a bit upset they wanted opening and closing cost for the grave of $2000. I never said a word, but our gussied up little corporate dolly must have overheard my whispers to my wife. A day latter all of a sudden they found the paper saying all costs were covered.
So being cheap and my wife liking the idea of removing a burden from our children we have pre paid cremation plan.
Well we got a kick in the gut a month ago our 44 year old son died very suddenly. His wife also opted for cremation. Her family has a tradition of scattering ashes at sea. But she gave us 1/2 the ashes which we are burying in the family plot in our church cemetery. Her family had a remembrance service at a club with limited space so a by innovation affair. We will have more traditional service and all are invited to lunch as well.
There is nothing you can say to take the loss away. So a simple "I am sorry for your loss" is as much as you can do. We all greave a bit different. Sometimes we can talk about our son other time we just cry. Just a hart felt we are sorry for your loss and a hand shake or hug is enough I am finding.
With out a body to be buried on the day of service here it has become common to have service on weekends to make it possible for more people to have a opportunity to attend. I personally would be very understanding of working people only attending one service. But other are going to feel different I am sure.
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How Do You Decide On Funeral Service/Visitation?
