Meredith Funeral Home

Funeral counseling and arrangements Recording of the vital statistics Evening visitation on the day prior to the funeral service Funeral service A traditional funeral is one normally held in a place of worship or a funeral chapel, either conducted by persons of faith or secular in nature.A funeral service with the body present, in a casket that may be open or closed. It is often planned and occurs within a few days of death. The funeral service is a rite of passage for both the deceased and his/her survivors. The service is the centerpiece of the ritual surrounding death. A funeral service typically includes: music, prayers, readings from scripture, poetry or other prose, a eulogy honoring the life of the deceased and sometimes a sermon focusing on the role of death in human life.Crain Funeral Home has been providing traditional funeral services to families since 1932. Funerals from ordinary to extraordinary!!!Cremation Services JUST CREMATE ME WHEN IM GONE There is a right way and a wrong way by Bryan A. Crain Just Cremate Me When Im Gone---a common statement made when the cost or details of a funeral are discussed. Without regard to the feelings of the family, or the circumstances surrounding ones future demise, such statements are said to funeral directors everywhere several times a week. The following questions posed and answers given are from our vast experience in handling more cremations than any other provider in the area and is offered in the spirit of love and compassion for the long term well being of the families being served by Crain. IS IT LESS EXPENSIVE? Sometimes, perhaps. Most families choose to have some type of viewing, whether private or public, prior to cremation. The only difference with cremation is at the conclusion of services, there is not a procession on to the cemetery that day. Usually, the cremated remains are ready for proper interment within a few days, allowing burial or entombment to proceed in a timely manner. Only the most basic, direct disposal cremation, is truly less expensive than a funeral. But this form of disposition is the one that triggers the most problems for the family long term, so one would need to weigh the cost savings now verses the possible emotional and counseling costs later. A VIEWING PRIOR TO CREMATION? There is good reason why we have open casket viewings. Contrary to popular belief it is not for the people to come by the casket and say how good the person looks. They do look dead, but the final appearance at the funeral home is certainly more acceptable than it was at the moment of expiration. The memory picture from the minutes immediately after death are seldom ones we would want to hang onto, but are hard to not visualize unless you have a more pleasant scene at the funeral home. In addition, there is the important opportunity for family and friends to say goodbye. Most people are visual, and need the opportunity for a proper farewell, for closure. We don't just go poof when we die, so don't deny your survivors and friends this closure. WHY HAVE A FINAL RESTING PLACE? Since cremation is not an end, but merely the preparation for final disposition, there is a definite need for a final resting place. No, it is not appropriate much less respectful to have cremated remains stored at home in a closet or on the fireplace mantel. Although now inert, they are still human remains. Many options exist for final disposition, from traditional burial in a cemetery with an appropriate monument, to mausoleum entombment in a crypt or columbarium, all the way to a cremorial bench or monument, where the cremated remains are placed in the granite marker or bench.This is why we dont recommend at home storage of cremated remains. CAN WE SCATTER THE CREMATED REMAINS? While done for sentimental reasons, the physical scattering has been known to be a very traumatic, soul shaking experience for the one charged with such a responsibility.