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No reason prevents one from combining a cremation service in Pennsauken Township, NJ, with visitation. A visitation is an event where the bereaved make themselves available for guests who wish to offer their condolences.
The deceased’s body doesn’t have to be there. Hence, it can happen before or after a cremation. Visitation differs from viewing, where the event’s focus is the body. Family members, close friends, and community members attend to view the body in an open casket.
Many people treat visitation like viewing, which is why many wonder if it’s possible to have visitation with cremation. As noted, it is, and for those who want the body to be present at their visitation, two cremation services enable this.
Traditional Cremation
The distinct advantage of traditional cremation for those who want a visitation is it buys time for an elaborate event. Because the cremation isn’t happening immediately, the body is first prepared for public viewing through embalming and dressing.
The body is then placed in a ceremonial (rental) casket where guests can see the body when they visit to offer their condolences. Distant relatives can bide their time instead of rushing down to see the body before it’s cremated.
Choosing traditional cremation for visitation also allows you to have other ceremonial activities like a wake or funeral service before the body heads to the crematorium. However, it’s a benefit available at high costs.
Traditional cremation is the most expensive cremation service. Even without purchasing a new casket, embalming, dressing, and other services increase the costs, making it a less economical solution.
Witnessed Direct Cremation
Direct cremation is the most affordable cremation service that allows visitation for those who want the body to be present. However, it can only be a simple visitation.
The cremation happens soon after the passing, but there are windows of opportunity where the family can arrange a quick and simple visitation.
The first one is before the cremation provider arrives. Family and friends who live nearby visit immediately after the death to see the body and express their condolences to the bereaved.
The second opportunity is at the cremation center. As the demand for visitation with direct cremation grows, some funeral homes offer a space where close groups of family and friends can view the body. This is known as witnessed cremation.
During a witnessed cremation, guests are allowed to watch the beginning of the cremation process. In some cases, they can have a committal service too.
In both cases, the visitation is simple, and the deceased is often still wearing what they had at the time of death.
Traditional cremation and witnessed direct cremation are two ways to combine visitation with a cremation service, but they are not the only ones.
If the body doesn’t have to be present, you can have a visitation after the cremation. You can organize one with other post-cremation services like a celebration of life or memorial service, with the urn as the centerpiece of each event.
Contact us if you have additional questions about merging a cremation service in Pennsauken Township, NJ, with visitation. Call us now. Our line is available 24/7, and our staff is here to assist you.