What To Consider When Choosing Between Cremation or Burial

When planning ahead for end-of-life preparations, or making arrangements following the loss of a loved one, many families struggle with choosing between cremation or a traditional burial. Here are some things to consider that may help make the choice easier.

The Difference Between Cremation and Burial

Both cremation and burial practices have been in existence for centuries as a method of final disposition. During the cremation process, a body is incinerated until all that remains is ash. Whereas during a burial, the body is allowed to naturally decompose over time. Both are common and safe methods of handling remains.

With burials, the body may be interred in the ground or entombed in a mausoleum above ground. Bodies are embalmed before being placed in a casket. At Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service, we require caskets to be enclosed in a burial vault to prevent the ground from sinking.

Cremated remains, on the other hand, can be kept in an urn, scattered in a way that is meaningful to the deceased, placed in a columbarium, interred in the ground, or entombed in a mausoleum. Some religious practices may require that the cremated remains are kept together and stored or displayed in an approved location.

Both cremation and burial processes can take place at any time. For example, shortly after the deceased has passed away, after a traditional funeral service has taken place, or before a memorial service.

Consider the Deceased’s Wishes and Religious Affiliation

The choice between cremation or burial is often deeply personal. For example, some families prefer to choose burial out of a desire to show respect for their loved one’s body. Other families feel that allowing the body to decay has the opposite impact. This is why making pre-planning arrangements and having these conversations with family members is often so important.

Many religions have differing views on cremation and burials. The Roman Catholic Church has stated that bodies may be cremated, but the ashes must be buried in a cemetery or sacred location. Some Christian denominations (incl. Baptist and the Eastern Orthodox Church) do not support cremation, while others such as the Methodist Seventh-Day Adventists and Lutheran churches do. Judaism has traditionally recommended against cremation, although some sects have relaxed their stance over the years.

Alternatively, cremation is a required practice for some Eastern religions (Hinduism and Buddhism). Sikhs tend to prefer cremation, but do not prohibit burial, while Muslim cultures forbid cremation.

Additional Factors to Consider

Religious beliefs and personal preference are perhaps some of the most important things to consider when choosing between cremation and burial. However, there are other things to keep in mind as well, such as cost and environmental impact. Cremation is typically a more cost-effective service compared to burial.

When it comes to the environment, there are different points of view. The cremation process results in high emissions; however, burials require a significantly larger footprint of land.

Still struggling to choose? We understand, and we’re here to help. Our professional team can walk you through the pre-planning process, one step at a time, and help you choose the options that work best for you. Visit our website to learn more about our services, or call (800) 207-3530 for one-on-one assistance.

National Pet Memorial Day

There Will Never Be Another, and That’s What Makes Them So Special

Most people consider a pet a member of their family. People often celebrate their birthdays, share monumental milestones, and keep pictures of them ready in their wallet or their phone. Many people choose to have pets for various reasons. They can find companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love from their animal. Because of this unique bond, losing them when they pass can bring on intense feelings of sorrow, just like losing a person in their family. What’s important to remember is that it is perfectly normal to be affected and experience a great deal of grief when dealing with such a loss.

Finding ways to cope with their passing can help you on your grief journey. While there is no right or wrong way of dealing with the loss, many people find that talking to others about their favorite memories helps alleviate pain. Another way of coping is to memorialize their pet. This can be done in various ways, such as creating a photo album or creating a piece of memorial jewelry that has the pet’s paw print or nose print engraved on it. Another option for memorial jewelry is to store their ashes in a wearable keepsake with their paw print or nose print designed onto it. Either of these jewelry options allows you to keep a piece of your loved one close to your heart.

Everyone deals with the grief of losing their animal in their own way. Allow yourself to go through the process at your own pace and be gracious with how you choose to cope. While time may not heal your pain completely, you will find yourself learning how to move forward without them. Continue to honor their memory and cherish the time you spent with them.

Paw Print

Bangle Bracelet

Paw Print

Heritage Vessel

Discreetly keep your pet close to your heart with this personalized fillable cremation urn vessel pendant necklace. Ideal for holding a pinch of your pet’s cremated remains or locks of fur.

Nose Print

Single Heartfelt Pendant

Paw Print

Organics Charm

To view all keepsakes, click here.

Pet Cremations

While it’s a day that we dread, it’s wise to consider what you will do with your pet once they pass. By planning ahead, you will be can handle matters in a better state of mind rather than doing it while grieving. If you choose to have your pet cremated, we can fulfill your wishes. To learn more or talk with a director about what options are available, click here. We at Found and Sons are animal lovers and our staff has a number of pets ourselves so we will see that your pet is handled with dignity and the utmost care.

My Loved One Said, “No Funeral.” What Should I Do?

My Loved One Said, “No Funeral.” What Should I Do?

This is an issue we hear about time and time again at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service: What should I do when my loved one made it clear he or she does not want a funeral or memorial service? Your loved one may be thinking this will help the family by saving them time and money. But what some people here in Culpeper and Spotsylvania Counties don’t realize is how much healing takes place with a meaningful tribute. Plus, when a funeral is preplanned, and maybe even pre-paid, there is so much pressure taken off the family during an already difficult time.

If your loved one has “No funeral,” or even solidified his or her wishes for no service by preplanning, what options do you have?

Some might say you should honor the loved one’s wishes. Others might suggest hosting a small, private get-together, where close friends and family members can pay their respects. Then there are those who would say funerals are for the living, and they will decide how to proceed.

As you can see, this can be an incredibly complex issue, and it’s one more and more Culpeper and Fredericksburg families have dealt with in recent years. While there is no cut-and-dried solution, our professional team has a few suggestions for those of you who find yourselves struggling when a loved one makes this request.

We’ve been assisting Culpeper and Fredericksburg families with funerals for decades, and we know the pivotal and highly meaningful role a service plays in the grieving process. A ceremony marks every transition in life: weddings, baptisms, graduations, and funerals. Gathering together to recognize the importance of the life that has been lived is essential after a loss. However, the tribute you plan does not have to reflect a “traditional” funeral.

We offer alternatives such as celebrant services instead of religious services, visitations with or without viewing, unique ceremonies to honor the person who has died, and receptions that feel more like a party than a funeral. We try to be creative in helping families make funeral arrangements, so the decisions truly reflect their personal preferences and the life that has been lived.

At Found and Sons, we believe every life has meaning, and we will work with you to design the tribute your family needs to bring healing. Reach out to us, and we will help you figure out your next step during this difficult time.

Personalization: Show What Made Your Loved One Special

At family-owned Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service, we believe every life in Culpeper and Fredericksburg represents a unique story. When it comes time to say goodbye to your loved one, our goal is to help you tell their own story in the most meaningful, personal way possible. Our trained staff – led by the Found family – will spend time with you, listen to their story and your needs and wishes, and then help you celebrate what made your friend or family member so memorable.

And creating a personal farewell doesn’t have to be expensive. We can help you create a service that is meaningful, yet affordable. Personalization really is all about honoring what your loved one stood for and valued. If your mother loved her garden, we can hand out seeds of her favorite flower for guests to plant in their gardens at home. If your father was a proud Irishman, “Danny Boy” can be played on the bagpipes at the burial. We can arrange for a balloon or dove release as well. At Found and Sons, there are so many ways to celebrate your loved one.

One of the most popular ways to honor a loved one is with a video tribute. You present us with special pictures, home videos, or favorite songs, and we can make a touching video paying tribute to your loved one. During such a difficult time, it is important to remember the happy times and the beautiful memories that you made together.

Don’t forget that personalization when making prearrangements is also a way for you to express your own story. Imagine your loved one’s delight and surprise when they hear your favorite book quoted during your service or your favorite song played graveside. These little touches are what will stay in your family’s hearts forever – one more way for you to leave your mark. Our preplanning specialists can make this happen.

The experienced, compassionate team at Found and Sons is here to help in any way we can, and we will make sure you or your loved one’s personality shines through the funeral service. We hope you’ll reach out to us for more information or to tour our facilities at any time.

How to Make a Cremation Service Meaningful

How to Make a Cremation Service Meaningful

Many Culpeper and Fredericksburg families believe if they choose cremation, they will not be able to have a funeral service that is meaningful and tells the story of their loved one’s life. Of course, this is not true when a family chooses Found and Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service. Funeral traditions are constantly changing and evolving over time, and families are now discovering that cremation is a dignified form of commemoration, when you choose an experienced funeral home that cares about your family.

As traditions change, we are always developing new and meaningful ways to honor and memorialize the life that was lived. Attitudes toward what is “appropriate” during a funeral have generally broadened, and that means we can offer families new personalized choices and unique forms of tribute and remembrance. However, families who have lost a loved one sometimes find these choices overwhelming. We can help. The best place to start is by making a list of your loved one’s interests, hobbies, accomplishments, as well as faith and cultural traditions.

What is important if you choose cremation is that you still plan a meaningful farewell. Many experts agree this is an important step in the grieving process. When you choose cremation, you may still have a visitation, memorial service, traditional funeral service, graveside observance, and many other comforting and healing rituals. And you can personalize cremation services with vaults, caskets, and urns that bear emblems and engravings denoting religious affiliation, hobbies, special interests, and/or military or civic service.

There is one other important aspect of cremation that you may wish to keep in mind. Some people have concerns about whether or not their loved one will be treated with dignity throughout the process. Since families in the Culpeper and Fredericksburg area know and trust the Found and Sons name, they can rest assured knowing we will make sure the loved one is treated with dignity and respect and that the cremation process meets our highest standards of ethics, performance, and professionalism. Our personal involvement assures that we receive superior service on a consistent basis.

When you choose cremation, ask these important questions: What kind of memorial services are available? What are the choices for personalization, and telling the story of the life that has been lived? And most importantly, what measures does the funeral home take to guard the dignity of the cremation process? We are committed to preserving the dignity of your loved one. And that’s the best assurance of all.