Monthly Archives: January 2022

cremation services in Columbia, MD

Hearse Facts 101

If you have recently lost a loved one and need to schedule funeral or cremation services in Columbia, MD, it can be a confusing and frustrating experience to have to process all the feelings around the loss while trying to plan the event. If you have never had to utilize services for a loss, knowing what you need can be a complicated process, and you may be questioning if you need to rent a hearse for your loved one’s remains.

Hearses are generally found at the front of a line of cars of individuals who have lost a loved one. These processions are meant to transport the deceased from the funeral home to the cemetery so the individual can be buried or placed in a mausoleum.

These vehicles are created to carry only one casket and do not have a back seat for passengers. Traditionally they are formed to hold the driver and the passenger along with the deceased. Still, some variations have recently been produced that can hold up to six passengers for transport.

On the Road

If you see a hearse on the road in some states, it is illegal to pass them, and they are given the right of way. It is also seen as disrespectful to pass a procession, and it is recommended to pull over to the side of the road and wait for the family to pass by out of respect.

Other Considerations

In some cases, you may not have the budget for a hearse, and any large vehicle, such as a long-bed pickup truck, will be adequate to transport the individual. A hearse can range from $175 to $400 depending on the type of vehicle you choose and the company you hire to work with.

In some cases, you may see the funeral director walking directly in front of the hearse at the cemetery, and this is to guide the vehicle to the burial spot. It is a tradition that has been around before motorized vehicles were on the road and are done to show respect to the deceased.

Hearses have a history of superstitions around seeing them, and they are thoroughly cleaned between each event. The cars are built using other vehicles’ bodies and customized to what the company or individual may be requesting for the service. In addition, they are used to lead the procession and are known as a cortege to transport the loved one. They traditionally come in black and are a symbol of mourning.

A Compassionate Presence

Hearses have a rich history as a primary way to transport loved ones to their final resting place. Anytime you lose a loved one and must go through the process of loss, the grief can feel overwhelming. You want to have a company that you can trust to help you through the process step-by-step.

Scremation service in Columbia, MDnowden Funeral Home understands how confusing and difficult it can be to plan funeral or cremation services in Columbia, MD. We take pride in offering our community a professional and experienced company that puts compassion for our clients first. We can help you create a memorable experience for your loved one, so give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

funeral home in Columbia, MD

How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

If you’ve never had to plan a funeral service, you might not know the costs involved in the event. The details can make your budget go up if you’re looking to hire people for specific duties, including driving the hearse or creating your announcements, so you must do your research before scheduling.

If you are looking at local funeral homes in Columbia, MD, you will want to find a company that can give you an outline of services they offer and what prices they charge before hiring them. Here is a general summary of fees to help get you started.

Costs Involved

A funeral can range between $ 7000 and $9000, depending on how elaborate you want the event to be. Each service included in the event will have a different cost, so it is recommended to speak to the Funeral Home to see if they have any packages available at a discount.

When you choose to schedule through a funeral company, the main fees will run around $2100. They will include services such as body storage, permits, administration, and coordination with the cemetery. The body’s transportation can cost up to $650 depending on the company you choose to work with, but you can also utilize family and friends if they have the appropriate vehicle to move the loved one safely.

Embalming is another service you may need to utilize, particularly if you have a viewing before the funeral. The embalming service will keep the body in a stabilized state via chemicals to help slow the decomposition of the remains. An embalming procedure can cost around $750, depending on the facility you choose to work with.

If you have chosen to hold a viewing, you will want to enlist the cosmetologist for the funeral home. This individual will help restore your loved one to a viewable state by applying make-up, doing hair, and reconditioning the remains as much as possible. This service usually is around $250.

Depending on the type of material and decorative options you choose to use for the coffin or casket, the costs can start at $2000 and go up. Some companies offer personalization for the vessel that can be purchased for an additional charge.

Other Considerations

The hearse rental is another choice if you are planning a procession, and the prices can vary depending on the type of vehicle you choose, but the average cost is around $400. There will be other factors to add in, such as the cemetery plot, the grave marker, and if a grave liner or vault is required.

A Local Solution

The largest consideration is to know what your budget is before starting your scheduling andfuneral homes in Columbia, MD finding the right company to work with. Snowden Funeral Home is a locally trusted company that prides itself on putting the community first. We care for our local family like we do our own and have been in business since the early 1900s. We understand the complexities of finding funeral homes in Columbia, MD, and scheduling services, so give us a call today to get started.

cremation services in Clarksburg, MD

Green Burial Options

Anytime a loved one passes away or if you are doing some preplanning do you might be searching for an alternative solution for your vessel. Whether cremation services in Clarksburg, MD, or traditional burial services, if you are an eco-friendly person finding a sustainable way to lay your loved one to rest is a priority. Multiple options are available on the market created from sustainable ingredients that will decompose quickly once in the ground. So here are some of your choices.

What Are the Options?

Making a green choice when it comes to a burial service not only helps to conserve natural resources, protect workers involved, and reduce emissions; it also contributes to preserving natural habitats. The idea is to let the body decompose naturally without utilizing vaults or liners; it allows the body to return to nature.

Caskets

For a vessel to be considered green, it must be made from materials that are sustainable or reclaimed, and some examples are:

  • Cork
  • Bamboo
  • Seagrass
  • Felt
  • Willow

In addition, the containers also must not contain any toxins or plastics and be fully biodegradable.

Other Options

Wood: This choice can come in for a cost of around $1000 for a standard casket. Depending on the amount of decoration such as woodworking or dowels that you may want to include on the piece can increase the price exponentially.

Cardboard: Cardboard works like a shroud, and one of the highlights is they are customizable. They make an attractive option simply because they can be adorned with pictures, paintings, or any messages that family members may want to leave. They are fully biodegradable and cost around $300.

Woven: A woven casket will traditionally be made of a material such as a banana leaf or cotton and can come in various shading. They generally come with a liner for leakage prevention and handles on the exterior and range between $900 and $2800.

Biodegradable Urns: If you’ve chosen to have a cremation process and are looking for an urn, there are biodegradable choices on the market. They come in a large array of colors, shapes, and designs and are made of materials like:

  • salt blocks
  • palm leaves
  • handmade paper
  • unfired clay
  • plant material or tree bark

There is also the option to provide extra protection by using a biodegradable bag inside the vessel and sealing it with eco-friendly glue until you’re ready to put the urn in water or bury it.

Trusting Us Over the Years

Having a variety of options available to you can make it that much easier to personalize the event you’re going to hold for your loved one. Whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly option or a traditional casket, you want to know that you’re working with a company that understands the discomfort of the loss.

cremation service in Clarksburg, MDSnowden Funeral Home is a community-minded and family-focused company that has been in business since 1904. We offer the highest quality compassionate care on the market and treat all our clients as their families. So, if you require cremation services in Clarksburg, MD, we are here to help you set up your appointment today.

funeral homes in Clarksburg, MD

Picking the Right Casket

If you have recently lost a loved one and need to find funeral homes in Clarksburg, MD, there can be some confusion about the steps and the kinds of services you will need for the event. One priority for burial is to have a casket or coffin for your loved one’s remains, but how do you pick the right one, and where do you start?

Anytime you must make funeral service purchases after losing a loved one, it is vital to make sure that you do the proper research, so you know that you have made the right choice. Here is more information on different casket options to make your choice easier.

Caskets 101

When an individual passes away, there will always be a need to find a place to house their remains. And whether you have a cremation service in needing an urn or you’re choosing a traditional burial option and utilizing a casket or coffin, you want to make sure you find the right one for your loved one and your budget.

The differences between the coffin and casket are few, with the coffin shapes in a hexagonal and octagonal form and containing a lid that can be split if you’re holding a viewing service. The casket traditionally comes in a rectangular shape; it has a cover that can be fully open to help with the viewing service for the attendees.

Material Choices

These vessels come in three different materials to choose from, including:

Standard steel: This can come in 16, 18, and 20 gauge options and is the most affordable choice of the three.

Stainless steel: This alternative is one of the most durable choices and comes in a moderate price range.

Bronze and copper: Are excellent choices due to their rust resistance but can break down over time like any other material. They are also praised based on weight instead of gauging, so keep this in mind for your budget.

Wood: Wood is a popular option due to its aesthetics and can be made from multiple choices such as mahogany, walnut, or even poplar. Manufacturers have more affordable options; they can use a less expensive option and cover it with a premium veneer.

Eco-friendly: another option that has grown in popularity is to choose a more environmentally eco-friendly option. There are multiple alternatives on the market that can consist of Wicker, cotton, or even cardboard.

This also can apply to urns with different companies specializing in biodegradable choices that will deteriorate quickly once placed in dirt or released into the water.

From Community to Family

Understanding what your needs are when it comes to picking out the appropriate vessel for your loved one. Snowden Funeral Home has been operating since the early 1900s and offering our local community compassionate care through the years.

funeral home in Clarksburg, MDWe pride ourselves on having the highest quality products on the market, and if you are looking at funeral homes in Clarksburg, MD, you want a company you can depend on. We are here to help remove some of the stress that comes with planning a funeral service, so give us a call today to get started.