As cremation continues to be an incredibly popular option for people these days, the idea of how to properly care for a loved one’s ashes in Walterboro, SC becomes an increasingly important topic to address. Many people find that when a loved one passes away, they are dealing with cremation for the first time in their lives and might not quite know where to start with the entire process.
Fortunately, we have been through this many times before with clients and have learned some tips along the way that can help you through this difficult part of the grieving process. Preparing ahead of time by doing your research can help make for an easier experience once a loved one passes, and you find yourself actually going through the cremation process.
Scattering ashes
One popular option for ashes is to scatter them in a place that meant a lot to the deceased and their loved ones. This might be at sea, at a particular meadow they enjoyed, at the family homestead or in any number of other locations. Keeping your loved one’s ashes in Walterboro, SC might not be an option for everyone as a result of a loved one’s desire to have their ashes scattered, so make sure that this is something addressed in last wills and testaments if this is a choice to consider. Additionally, make sure that you look into permitting and permissions before going ahead and scattering ashes—it is prohibited in some places, so you want to do your homework to ensure you don’t run into any problems.
Keeping ashes at home
Many families find that they prefer to keep the ashes of a loved one in their home. Roughly one in five people are currently going this route, and it’s increasingly popular as families find that it can be a poignant and meaningful choice to keep a reminder of a loved one in the home. This is a more popular choice for when a parent passes away, but it’s also a common decision when a spouse dies.
This can be done in a few different ways. The first way that is most popularly pictured is in a ceremonial urn in a meaningful place in the home. A loved one’s ashes in Walterboro, SC can also be situated in a memorial site, either on the property where they lived or at a meaningful site nearby. This lends respect and permanence, but it can also mean that the ashes can still be moved or buried at a different site in the future, since they are still contained in an urn.
How to address the ashes of a loved one is a complex choice, and it should be discussed well in advance. People of all ages should have their last wishes in writing, but ultimately it can be a group decision based on the comfort levels of all parties involved. Our team here at Steedley Monument Works can help you sift through your choices, but we always benefit when families have had conversations ahead of time as to what they’d like to do when it comes to safeguarding a loved one’s ashes. Reach out to us to learn more or schedule a consultation.