What do you do if you don’t have a big budget for a military memorial after cremation services in Clarksville, TN? Memorials after cremations can be expensive. And for most people, that’s just fine. Memorials are a big deal and oftentimes the memories of your lost veteran and meaningful moments honoring their life are worth the expense.

But for some, it’s important to save money on a memorial so they can spend it on other things that are equally important. And that’s OK, too. However, working within a small memorial budget can be hard, especially for people who have big dreams of what they want their lost loved one’s service to look like. If you’re worried about the cost of a memorial, maybe it’s time to cut back on the budget.

Think about it this way – you won’t be stressed about bills or money, and you’ll actually be able to soak in the time spent honoring and remembering your loved one. Not sure how to decrease your budget to save you money? Here are some tips for cutting down your memorial budget.

First, DIY as much as possible. While there are some aspects of a memorial you don’t want to DIY, like preparing the body, there are tons of things you can. For example, make your centerpieces, create your own floral arrangements, design your own programs, or ask friend and family to help with set up and tear down. There’s also the option of DIYing the food at the reception following the service if you want to go with a more casual vibe and your venue allows.

Pare down your guest list to just people you really know and really love, and you’ll see your budget go way down. However, don’t skimp on the venue. The one thing you shouldn’t try and scrimp on? The memorial home. The memorial home has such a massive impact on the entire day, so don’t try and cut back there. Instead, use these tips for other ways to save money.

What about skipping stationary? The cost of paper death announcements and memorial invitations really adds up. Luckily, there are tons of digital platforms that will send these out for free. If you’re set on having paper invitations, consider mixing them with a digital RSVP system. You can also cut things like day-of programs, and menu cards as they always get thrown out anyway. Instead, try big chalkboard signs that can give the same information for way less than half the cost. You can also make cuts to the guest list. This is the simplest way to save money on a memorial. Think about it like this: a 300-person memorial reception will automatically be twice as expensive as a 150-person reception.

We are here to help if you want more memorial or funeral planning tips for your lost veteran. As a Clarksville, TN cremation service provider, we have the expertise needed to make your lost loved one’s service the best it can be, no matter what your budget. Call or visit us today.

Lots of people wonder a lot of odd or quirky things about cremation services in Clarksville, TN. From the icky to the bizarre, its normal to have questions about cremation. Are you ready to satisfy your curiosity? Here are the answers to some of the most common weird cremation questions.

• Do teeth burn during cremation? Teeth usually burn up during the cremation process. Tooth fragments that are not burnt up will be ground during the ash processing.
• Do cremains have DNA? Cremains rarely hold enough DNA to be read during an analysis. The bone and teeth fragments left behind after the process are ground into a fine powder, making it almost impossible to extract viable DNA for testing.
• Are the ashes really the person? Cremation ashes, sometimes called cremains, are the bits of bones leftover after the cremation process. So yes, the ashes really are the person. Every cremation provider has safety and identification protocols in place to ensure that the proper cremains are returned to the proper family, so you can rest assured the ashes you receive are the ashes of your lost loved one.
• Can you be cremated without a funeral? You can be cremated without a funeral service. This is called direct cremation. Your loved ones can always have a memorial service at a later date after the cremation if they or you so choose.
• What is the most affordable way to be cremated? Whole-body donations, or donating the entire body to science, comes with a no-cost cremation, making it the most affordable way to be cremated.
• Can you watch a cremation? Some cremation providers do allow the bereaved to view the cremation from a separate chamber. However, as the entire process takes several hours, most only allow the bereaved to view the body being placed into the cremation chamber.
• Are bodies cremated with clothes on? Bodies are cremated in what they died in if they are cremated with direct cremation. If they’re cremated after a funeral, they will be cremated in the clothes they were placed in for the service.
• Do bodies sit up during cremation? Because of the cremation chamber’s high heat, some bodies go into what’s called a pugilistic stance, meaning the elbows, knees, and fists clench from dehydration due to the extreme heat. The pugilistic stance may make the body appear shorter or stiffer, but it will not make the body sit up.
• Are bodies cremated in their caskets? Bodies will be removed from their caskets if the caskets are not suitable for cremation. But, if the casket is able to be cremated, the body will be cremated while still inside the casket.
• Is cremation common? The National Funeral Directors Association states the current rate of cremation is about 56%, while traditional burial is 37%. In short, it is safe to say that cremation is the most common disposition method in the country.

Do you have more questions about Clarksville, TN cremation services? Call or visit us today to learn about what we can do for you in your time of loss, preplanning, or curiosity.

A military funeral flag is a standard United States flag that’s draped over the coffin or urn of a veteran or military servicemember during their funeral, memorial, or internment ceremony. Also known as a military burial flag, the flag is folded up after the service is over 13 times to form a triangle, perhaps representing the 13 original colonies and the shape of the hats traditionally worn during the Revolutionary War. After its folded, the flag is given to the deceased’s closest family member, like a spouse, parents, sibling, or other next of kin. The VA provides funeral flags at no cost for both active duty and retired veterans of any of the armed force divisions. Civilians can request flags, but they do come at a cost. But what do you do with the flag after the cremation service in Clarksville, TN?

Here are some unique and helpful ideas to inspire you for what you can do with your lost loved one’s military flag.

There are several options that both honor the memory of your lost loved one and respect the nature of the flag. Some of them include buying a personalized military flag case or a memorabilia and flag display case. There are many flag cases available for sale, such as personalized cases that display the veteran’s service branch, name, and rank. The wooden case keeps the flag free from dust, and a felt-lined lid provides an area to proudly display awards and insignia.

Showcase your lost loved one’s military memorabilia and their funeral flag with a special display case. Such cases are perfect to exhibit awards, patches, photos, insignia, and more. You can choose a wall-mountable or standing versions of this kind of case so you can display memorabilia and the flag wherever it fits best in your home.

You can also fly the flag or display it in a homemade case. While the official United States Flag Code does not mention whether or not you are allowed to fly a military funeral flag, there are two main factions divided on this issue. Some believe that once a funeral flag is folded it should remain that way, meaning it cannot be flown. Others believe flying the flag is a noble and patriotic way of honoring the deceased. Make your own case to display the funeral flag on your mantle, on a shelf, or on a wall. This is a great way to invest time and meaningful craftsmanship into honoring your lost loved one. If your lost loved one was cremated, you can also buy a flag display case that is designed to fit perfectly on top of their cremation urn. This way, you can keep your lost loved one’s remains and their funeral flag in the same place.

Do you want more information on military funeral flags or Clarksville, TN cremation services? We are here to help! Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you during your time of loss or preplanning.

Grief counseling is a specific form of therapy that helps you cope with the effects of a major loss and a veteran’s service after a cremation service in Clarksville, TN.

There are many different ways you can get help and support when you’re grieving after a loss, grief counseling is just one of them. Though it comes in many different forms, it commonly involves taking through your feelings about and reactions to the loss of a loved one or any other grief-inducing event such as divorce, infertility, or an adoption falling through. The main goal of grief counseling is to give you tools to help you deal with the emotional, spiritual, physical, and social effects of grief. The counselor will help you process what has happened, identify what you are experiencing, and provide strategies that help you cope in the healthiest way possible.

As there are different kinds of grief counseling, there are different kinds of grief counselors including licensed or certified grief counselors. Licensed or certified grief counselors are mental health professionals who focus on treating individuals and families suffering from loss, whether that means a death or a divorce, loss of a job, or even the loss of a pet. Because grief comes in many different forms for many different people, there are lots of different kinds of grief counselors. Some work in group settings, others focus on private sessions. Some just listen, others give advice and actionable tools to help you move through the grieving process.

You can also get grief counseling from professional therapists. “Therapist” refers to psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. Though they have different titles, each of these professionals are educated and certified in helping with mental and emotional problems. However, their different titles do indicate different specialties. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medicine, while psychologists are trained in talk therapy, the study of behavior, and psychological testing and analysis and therefore cannot prescribe medicine. Counselors are trained to help individuals address specific problems involving behavior and mental and emotional well-being. You can find any of these professional therapists in locations such as mental health clinics, community centers, hospitals, online practices, military facilities, and schools.

There is also pastoral counseling and support groups. Many people find comfort through their faith, making pastoral counseling an excellent choice for getting through grief. This type of counseling helps back up your faith and gives you guidance and support in grief through religious texts and concepts. Many people feel alone after the loss of a loved one. Support groups are excellent for making you feel less alone or if you’re uncomfortable talking to a professional in a one-on-one setting. In support groups, each member works in tandem with the others and gives instant validation from being around others who can understand on some level. Funeral homes, churches, hospitals, and community centers all usually offer support groups or recommendations.

Do you have more questions on grief counseling or on Clarksville, TN cremation services or veteran’s services? Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.

You want to be helpful to someone who is grieving after a loss and a cremation service in Clarksville, TN, but how? You don’t want your attempts at being helpful to be a burden on them in their time of loss. You most likely want to be helpful in a concrete way. Here is part two of this blog, offering even more meaningful ways you can show up for someone in grief and be genuinely helpful.

Number one is to help them rest. There’s a lot do to when someone dies, from planning the service to dealing with end-of-life legalities. Help out by taking things off their plate so they can really rest. Try taking over hosting responsibilities for out-of-town funeral guests, performing household chores, or doing some childcare for an afternoon. Yard work is an excellent way you can help out, as everyone needs their grass cut at some point. From making lists to actually doing the shopping, running errands takes a lot of physical and mental work. Taking errands off their plate would be very helpful in their time of grief.

Homecooked meals are genuinely comforting, but cooking takes time and energy – both of which are tough to come by in grief. Cook at their house while keeping them company or bring over an easily heated, freezer-friendly dish like a casserole, soup, or lasagna. You can also include a little treat in your meal delivery, such as a pie, cookies, a book, or even a pair of cozy socks. Keep reaching out and ask what they need. Grief doesn’t end after the funeral or cremation. Even after you’ve attended the service, said your condolences, brought a meal, and run some errands, keep reaching out. They’ll always appreciate the support. Sometimes the best way to provide exactly the help they need is to ask them what they need. Be specific, saying something like, “I’m free on Wednesday, what can I help you with?” or “Can I bring over dinner on Thursday night?” The simple act of going somewhere when in grief can be overwhelming. You can also offer to drive them places or simply go with them wherever they need to go so they’re not alone.

Don’t forget to be flexible. What they need might vary from day to day. Yesterday, they might have wanted to be left alone, but today they might need a shoulder to cry on and an ear to hear their pain. Be flexible and willing to provide what they need as each moment passes. What about gifting them a massage? Physical touch like massages can be very helpful when someone is grieving. Gift them a massage gift certificate so they can rest, relax, and have some time alone.

We are here to help if you want more tips on supporting someone in grief or more information on Clarksville, TN cremation services. We are honored to assist in any way we can during your time of loss or preplanning. Please call or visit us today to learn more.