Monthly Archives: June 2022

Columbarium Facts

Columbarium’s are a Vital Part of Cremation, so Here is More Information

Once your loved one has passed away, and you need to plan the cremation services in Silver Spring, MD, they may have requested to be buried in a columbarium after the process is completed. This is an effective and honorable way to lay them to rest, but you may not understand what these buildings offer or what will happen in the experience without the correct information. We want you to be confident in your decision, so we have gathered facts about them in this article to help you with the process.

What is a Columbarium?

A columbarium is a structure such as a room, building, or wall specifically designated for holding urns of those who have been through the cremation process.

What is the Niche?

All of the columbarium’s that are built have internal containers called niches. These are independent sections built into the structure with shelving units where the urns can be placed. The section then has a plaque attached to it that will list the information about the individual being housed there. Some columbarium memorials are outdoors that may have a stone that covers the space completely but will provide a section for flowers or mementos to be left by visitors.

Where Are They Located?

Depending on the location, the columbarium could be in a room at the back of a structure like a church or even built separately somewhere on the cemetery grounds. In some cases, they are attached to the crematorium, and they intend to create a peaceful space, possibly being located near a garden or the Chapel, to offer a quiet area for visitors.

Why Use a Columbarium?

Some individuals use the columbarium because of their specific faiths, stating that the ashes need to be kept in a sacred area instead of being scattered or with loved ones. They are common worldwide, and in some cases, multiple members of a family will be placed in the area together.

 What is the Cost?

The columbarium is generally not a permanent resting place and can be anywhere from $850 to $2500, depending on how long the area will be used. Each organization will have a different price range, so checking with the cemetery before scheduling is a vital part of the process to be prepared.

Alternatives for Cremation Burial

If a columbarium does not sound like the right choice, there are other options like purchasing a cemetery plot, placing the loved one in an urn garden, or even a burial at sea.

Quality and Commitment to Our Community 

Many details will go into the cremation services in Silver Spring, MD. You want the event to be truly thoughtful and authentic, so having an experienced professional on your side is essential. We are locally owned and have been serving our local community since the 1900s with the highest level of compassionate care on the market. We offer multiple services, from funerals to pre-planning, so contact us today if you need to schedule an appointment or have any questions.

Headstone Design Ideas

Tips and Suggestions for Designing a Loved One’s Headstone

After your loved one passes away, when you start connecting with funeral homes in Silver Spring, MD, one of the events that will need to be planned is the burial process for the individual. This will require purchasing a plot and a burial vault or grave liner, and a headstone to completely lay them to rest. If you want to decorate the monument, you might be confused about what’s appropriate, so we have gathered some options in this article to help you decide.

Design Options

There are few limits on what you can put on a headstone, part of the personalization process. You can make a genuinely authentic grave marker for them because they come in multiple materials, shapes, color designs, and font variations.

Keep it Simplified

if the individual was more of a straightforward kind of person, you might not need to put a lot of detail into the headstone. In many cases, simply listing their information like their name, date of death, and date of birth would be enough.

Add an Image

Technology is now advanced enough to have an image of the individual who has passed away imprinted into the stone. Depending on your preference, some companies can even offer the photo in black and white or color.

Representation of Hobbies

If the individual had a hobby that they truly enjoyed, this could also be incorporated into the details of the headstone. Items like motorcycles, books, or even musical instruments can put that personalized touch on them.

Add a Vase

If you are going through designs, another option is to have a vase placed inside it. This can be helpful if you are planning on returning and bringing flowers to the site, but you want to be sure to check with the cemetery for any specific rules around this.

Wedding Rings

If a couple is laid to rest in the same plot, one popular option is to have a photo of wedding rings linked together as part of the details. Some individuals have requested that the wedding date be added to this image.

Butterflies 

Nature is another standard detail that people will add to the headstone. Whether it’s butterflies, flowers, or trees, these can offer an aesthetically pleasing and significant detail to the marker.

Religious Symbols

Religion can be an essential part of an individual’s life, and there are many different symbols to choose from, including the Star of David, praying hands, cross, or even having a verse from the Bible incorporated into the marker.

Quality Services and Professional Care

There are thousands of different ways to personalize the headstone, and similar to the services, you want the details to count when it’s time to schedule with one of the funeral homes in Silver Spring, MD, finding a local and trusted source can make the difference in the experience. We would love to help you through the process. We are locally owned and offer a wide variety of services, so contact us today if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment.

Preplanning Resources

Suggestions and Ideas for Preplanning Resources and Options

If you are a loved one have been considering pre-planning for funeral or cremation services in Columbia, MD, but have never been through the experience, you might not know what you need to do. Several things need to be considered to create a truly memorable event, and we have some ideas listed here to offer support.

Why Preplan?

The idea behind pre-planning gives the individual the process and opportunity to create a meaningful event. Doing the planning also helps alleviate stress for friends and family members because they do not have to figure out what the individual’s last wishes are or how to schedule and pay for the services.

Organizing the Event

One of the first things that will need to be done is understanding what the budget is for the event. Some companies will create a contract that allows payments to be made over time to cover the funeral expenses. There are other options like insurance policies or even having money specifically set aside for any financial needs.

Choosing the Details 

Depending on the individual, they may want to have a smaller event that’s more intimate and private, and this will require less planning than others. There are also celebrations of life that may be more extravagant and need more details. Taking the time to understand what’s available to include at the event is essential and here are just a few ideas:

Foodservice or reception
Floral arrangements and decorations
Live streaming the event
Eulogies or video memorial tributes
Choosing between traditional burial or cremation
Picking a casket or urn

Working with a trusted provider can help give a better idea of what is available, and at the same time, it will give you an idea of the pricing, so you know what you will have included in the service. When it comes to choosing a provider, it’s good to look at online reviews and other people’s experiences as well as ask a few questions such as:

How long have they been in business?
Do they have transparent pricing?
Can they accommodate the level of attendees?
What services do they offer?
Are they willing to accommodate religious or cultural traditions?

Getting the Right Documents

One of the last things that need to be done is making sure that all the appropriate documentation is in place; this can include:

Any utilities or bills like mortgages, power, water, credit cards, gym memberships, or storage unit rentals
Documentation for stocks or bonds
Titles for vehicles or vessels
Any contracts that were outstanding
Business documentation
Any financial accounts or insurance matters

From Our Family to Yours

Pre-planning doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and when you’re going through the experience, you want a trusted source that’s going to help you create a truly thoughtful funeral or cremation services in Columbia, MD. we are a locally owned resource that’s been serving our clients with the highest level of care and compassion since the early 1900s, so contact us today if you have any questions or for a pre-arrangements.

Investing in a Plot

The Plot is Part of Laying a Loved One to Rest, so here is More Information on Them

Whether you have decided to preplan or a loved one has passed away, you will need to reach out to funeral homes in Columbia, MD, to get the details set. One of these details will be choosing a cemetery plot if the individual is choosing to have a traditional burial process. There are a few things to understand about this to help you make the right choice, so we have included the information here.

Types of Plots 

There are four main types of burial plots that you can choose from, including:

Single

This size is exactly what it is called and is meant for one person only and is the most common plot you will find in a cemetery.

Family

The next option is meant to be a space for multiple individuals and, in most cases, will be reserved for family members. In some cases, they may purchase a specific location inside the cemetery, which will be identified and, in some instances, enclosed. The area might have one large headstone with the family’s information, and the plots can be side by side in a row.

Companion

If two individuals want to be buried next to each other, the companion plot is ideal. This is traditionally used for individuals or couples and is typically placed side by side. There’s also the option of having a double depth plot that is one ample space with the right caskets stacked inside it.

Plots for cremated remains 

Burying cremated remains is also an option, and a standard plot is all that will be required for this.

Costs

Depending on the location you choose to be buried, the prices will fluctuate. For a public cemetery, the cost will range between $200 and $2000, but this can vary depending on if the individual is being buried in a rural or urban area.

A plot in a private cemetery can cost between 2000 and $5000 depending on the location, and they have gone up as high as $25,000 for a plot in a highly-populated area.

A public cemetery for cremated remains will range between $350 to $500, and in a private cemetery, they can go between $1000 and $2500.

Things to Consider

A few other things that will need to be considered are additional costs like purchasing the grave marker. Most private cemeteries will require the purchase of a burial vault or grave liner because these can help prevent the earth from falling in on the individuals buried there. There may also be paperwork fees and burial permits to be acquired to finalize the process.

Consistent and Trusted Support

As you can see, there are several things to consider about cemetery plots, and when you start reaching out to funeral homes in Columbia, MD, it can give you a better idea of what you need when death occurs. Having a trusted local professional to help you through the process is essential. We have been in business since the early 1900s, providing our community with the highest level of care on the market, so contact us today for assistance.

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