Designing and placing a cremation memorial for a loved one can be overwhelming, especially without a trusted provider to guide you through the process. But when looking at a selection of online providers and local memorial specialists, how do you choose a cremation memorial provider that you can trust?
It starts with asking the right questions.
Your chosen memorial provider should design quality cremation memorials, have a positive reputation among families and have the experience to create a beautiful, lasting tribute for your loved one. Before selecting your cremation memorial provider, consider asking the following questions.
Most families don’t realize that many of the same memorialization options available for traditional burials are also available for loved ones that choose cremation. When choosing a cremation memorial provider, look for one that offers a variety of memorialization options, in addition to the traditional urn. Consider the following types of cremation memorial options.
Cremation jewelry. Memorial jewelry is designed to hold a loved one’s cremated remains, or something else significant, like a thread from their favorite shirt.
The idea of keeping one’s soul anchored to this world also brings comfort to visitors, allowing them to feel that their loved one is nearby.
If you would prefer to scatter your loved one’s remains, keep them at home or you’re looking to personalize a cremation memorial, ask your chosen provider about memorial plaques.
Memorial plaques for cremated remains are normally made of bronze or granite, and have lettering, inscriptions, dates and personalized designs. They can be placed on a natural stone, memorial bench, tree, or other meaningful location.
Cremation memorials should be as unique as the loved one that you are honoring. Look for a cremation memorial provider that offers personalization options when it comes to memorial size, material, engraved quotes or Bible verses, and even photo etchings.
The best cremation memorial providers take the time to understand your vision before transforming it into a beautiful, lasting tribute to your loved one.
Look for a cremation memorial provider that handles all steps of the memorial process (initial design, creation, and even memorial setting) in-house. This ensures you receive the quality cremation memorial your loved one deserves, on-time and within your budget.
As you might expect, the cost of a cremation memorial depends on a number of factors, including the memorial type, size, material and level of personalization.
For example, a wooden urn will cost much less than a granite cremation memorial bench. Both can be beautifully designed to honor your loved one, but it’s important to recognize the difference in cost before making a decision. Your cremation memorial provider should be able to walk you through these factors and how they will impact your budget.
If you choose a cemetery as the final resting place for your loved one, be sure to know any cemetery rules and regulations and associated fees that may affect your cremation memorial’s material and/or size. An experienced cremation memorial provider can inform you of the specifics for each area cemetery.
With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose a cremation memorial that best fits your loved one. As a starting point, discuss the following questions with a cremation memorial provider:
Before working with a cremation memorial provider, visit their website, check for previous customer reviews and ask for references. How the provider has worked with other families in the past should be a clear indicator of the experience you can expect to receive from them.
There are many choices concerning final arrangements, even after you have made the decision of cremation. Download our cremation guide to understand all you need to know on how to memorialize your loved one following cremation.