Monthly Archives: May 2023

How to Save Money on a Military Memorial

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.

Embalming and Veteran’s Services

Embalming is preserving human remains to slow decomposition, generally performed to make the body presentable for a funeral or service. Embalming is also often used to keep bodies preserved for medical purposes in anatomical laboratories or schools. Do you want to learn every more about embalming and what it has to do with veteran’s services at funeral home in Clarksville, TN? We are here to help!

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about embalming. To begin, do bodies have to be embalmed? Though it’s quite common, embalming is rarely necessary. It is not required when the body is cremated, though most funeral homes do require embalming for viewings or open casket funeral services.

Do you have to embalm the body for an open casket funeral? Most states do not have laws that require embalming before a public viewing or an open casket funeral, though most funeral homes will not allow a viewing if the body is not embalmed. What happens if a body is not embalmed? Bodies that are not embalmed will decompose at their normal rate, depending on the cause of death, weight of deceased, temperature, moisture levels, and other factors. If the body is not embalmed, you will need to hold the service, burial, or cremation as soon as possible after the death.

How long does embalming take? The entire embalming process takes an average of two hours, but it can take longer if the deceased was in an accident or had an autopsy, as this requires additional steps to make the body presentable for a service. What are your options for internment of an embalmed body? Once a body is embalmed, you can bury it or cremate it as you prefer. You cannot, however, bury it with a natural burial because the embalming chemicals could leak into the ground and harm the environment.

Are organs removed during embalming? The organs are left inside the body cavity during the embalming process. However, the embalmer does drain all of the blood from the body and replaces with embalming fluid. They then flush the blood and other waste down a drain and into the sewage system, at which point it goes through the local wastewater treatment process. Can you cremate an embalmed body? Yes! Embalming does not impact the cremation process.

What about how long an embalmed body lasts? Embalming does not stop decomposition; it just slows it down. Though the rate of decomposition varies depending on temperature, moisture levels, and other variables, an embalmed body will last inside a casket for many years. However, the goal of embalming is to make the body look as good as possible for the funeral, usually about a week after the process. If you plan on having an open-casket funeral, you should not leave the embalmed body out for more than a week.

Do you have more questions about embalming, veteran’s services, or Clarksville, TN funeral homes? We are here to help in any way we can during your time of loss. Call or visit us today for more information on our offerings.

The Strangest Cremation Service Questions

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.

Should I Offer Sympathy to a Coworker?

Workplace relationships are already tricky, but they can get even trickier when one of your coworkers loses a loved one. What do you do when one of your coworkers loses a loved one and has to plan a service at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN?

Situations like these can be very difficult to navigate as it’s hard to know what to say or what to do to be helpful and comforting but still professional. How do you properly express sympathy in the workplace? There are a few ways to go about it.

For example, if you’re speaking to a bereaved coworker from just yourself, you can say things like: “My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.”, “Please let me know if I can help in any way.”, “My warm thoughts and sincere prayers are with you and your loved ones.”, or “Please know I’m here for you in this season of mourning.”

If you’re speaking on behalf of a team or the entire company, try something like: “We are fully behind you and however much time you need! You have the sincere condolences of the entire team in this challenging time.”, or “On behalf of the company, we are here to help you through this.”

But where and when do you convey these sentiments? Oftentimes the easiest and best way to convey condolences in a professional setting is via email. Here are some tips for writing a professional condolences email, like don’t make it about you. Phrases like “I know how you feel” aren’t helpful and may make the recipient feel as if you’re not seeing them in their specific pain. Instead, share a memory of their lost loved one.

Be professional in tone and style and use a simple subject line. Its best to avoid unprofessional or flippant writing. Therefore, don’t use things like slang, cliches, or emojis. Be sure to make your subject line clear and simple so they know the message isn’t about work but is instead about their loss. Try something like: “My Condolences” or “With Deepest Sympathy.” Also, not everyone shares the same religious beliefs. Don’t assume they believe in the afterlife by using generic expressions like “they’re in a better place.” You can, however, say you will pray for them if that is in line with your beliefs or religion. You should also offer specific help. Don’t offer advice. Instead, offer to help in specific ways.

For example, you could offer to deliver a home cooked meal, send a gift card for a grocery delivery service, or send a bouquet of their favorite flowers. No matter how you offer to help, don’t be too pushy or insistent. Finally, sign off professionally and proofread. Though this email is personal in nature, you should still sign off in a professional manner. Avoid signing off with sentiments like, “All of my love,” as it can be too informal. Instead use “All my best” or “With sympathy” before signing.

Do you want more tips on dealing with workplace loss or planning Clarksville, TN funeral homes? Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in our time of loss.

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