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When Cremation is Preferred

Cremation has been a part of the human experience for a very long time, and is the preferred method of caring for a loved one in many parts of the world.

While we could recite statistics on the rising popularity of cremation in North America and other nations, they really won’t mean very much to you. After all, who picks cremation just because everyone else is doing so?

People choose cremation because they believe it to be the right choice for them. It’s as deeply personal of a decision as that of selecting burial. The decision could be based on:

  • Financial Challenges. The cost of direct cremation with no funeral or memorial service is often ¼ that of a traditional burial. This simple fact is often all it takes for a family to make the cremation decision; however we firmly believe that there is great value in bringing family and friends together for a remembrance service – value which exceed mere cost.
     
  • The Desire for Simplicity. There is nothing simpler than a direct cremation, where the body is transferred straight to the crematory and everything is done within hours of completing the necessary paperwork.
     
  • The Need for Flexibility. A memorial service after a direct cremation can be arranged at a time that's convenient for family members. There is no rush to put together a ceremony which many in the circle can’t attend due to time or financial constraints.
     
  • The Intention to More Fully Honor a Loved One. A service can be planned for weeks, even months, after the cremation. This means more people can get involved and there’s plenty of time to gather meaningful scriptural passages, poetry, literary quotes, music, photos and videos.

If any of those reasons ring true for you and your family, then cremation may be the perfect alternative for your loved one.
 

Decisions You Must Make When Choosing Cremation

  • Who will perform the cremation?
  • Should you purchase an urn?
  • What kind of remembrance ceremony would you like to have?
  • What will you do with the cremated remains?

You may wish to keep the remains at your home for a time, until you feel ready to let go of them, or when all family members can be present for a scattering ceremony.

Our professional Funeral Directors can advise you on unique ways to memorialize a loved one using the cremated remains, including the creation of art glass objects. We also offer a wide selection of cremation keepsake jewelry.

We can also recommend firms in the area that specialize in scattering the cremated remains at sea, or in the air.

Call us today to explore cremation options, and the many creative ways you can memorialize a loved one either before, or after, the cremation has occurred.
 

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Proudly Serving the Communities of Armstrong, Estherville, Fenton, Graettinger, Ringsted, and Swea City
(712) 362-2646 Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory
401 N. 7th Street
Estherville, IA 51334
Email: henryolsonfuneral@gmail.com
712-864-3441 Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home and Crematory - Armstrong
506 2nd Ave.
Armstrong, IA 50514
Email: henryolsonfuneral@gmail.com
515-889-2796 Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home and Crematory - Fenton

Fenton, IA 50539
Email: henryolsonfuneral@gmail.com
712-859-3919 Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home & Crematory - Graettinger
104 N. Cedar St.
Graettinger, IA 51342
Email: henryolsonfuneral@gmail.com
515-272-4242 Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home & Crematory - Swea City
408 4th Ave. West
Swea City, IA 50590
Email: henryolsonfuneral@gmail.com
712-866-1006 Ringsted