In the wake of losing someone we love, it’s often hard to know what to do next. For many people, a traditional funeral with a Marlton, NJ, funeral home doesn’t feel like the right way to say goodbye.

In recent years, more and more people are turning away from the traditions that have dominated death rituals for generations. People choose alternatives that make them feel good rather than simply doing what has always been done.

If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional funeral, consider one of these six options instead:

A Celebration of Life Service

A Celebration of Life Service is a modern, alternative way of saying goodbye to someone you’ve lost. It’s not a funeral service – it’s a celebration of your loved one’s life and everything they meant to you.

There’s no casket or mourning: just an opportunity to celebrate the person who is no longer with you. A celebration of life service is a wise choice if you want to honor your loved one but don’t feel the need to follow all of the traditional funeral rituals.

It’s also a brilliant choice if you have young children: as there’s no casket, it’s not as scary for them.

Virtual Memorial Service

A virtual memorial service might be the right fit if you’re looking for something that’s a little less hands-on than planning a celebration of life. This type of service is like a virtual eulogy: you can record an audio or video message to be played at the service, and guests can leave digital messages. You can do this by hosting a live stream or a page on an online memorial platform.

Other people can join from wherever they are in the world. If you host a memorial page on an online memorial platform, you can invite people to leave written messages of love and remembrance that will be posted on the platform for others to read.

Plan a Travel Commemoration

If your loved one loved to travel or saw the world as their oyster, a travel commemoration might be the right choice. You can plan a trip or visit a place with special meaning for you or your loved one and invite guests to attend.

You can also do it alone. You’ll have your own time and space to reflect on your memories and thoughts about your loved one.

A travel commemoration is an excellent choice if you have the financial means to plan a trip and if the destination holds special meaning for you and your loved one.

Install a Bench in Memory of Your Loved One

If you want to do something tangible and permanent as a way of remembering someone, a bench in memory of your loved one is an excellent idea.

It’s a simple way to make your loved one’s memory permanent in your community. You can engrave their name on the bench and a quote that captures their essence.

Create an exhibit that celebrates their life, work, and contribution

You can write and publish a eulogy, build a website, or have an exhibition with videos and pictures that tell your loved one’s story. This creative alternative fits especially well if the deceased was a writer, photographer, or traveler. But you can curate an exhibit or website for anyone.

It’s also great if you’re a researcher and want to learn more about your loved one’s life and work.

Having a cremation instead of a burial makes executing these traditional funeral alternatives easier. Call us if you need a funeral home in Marlton, NJ, for cremation services. Our phone is available 24/7.