Here at AmericanWholesaleCaskets.com we are sorry for your loss and want to make your burial decisions easier on you in your time of grief. We have all the funeral and religious products that you will need to bury your loved one (s) with the respect they deserve. If you cannot find what you need, free free to type your search term at the top right to find what you are looking for.
As you may know, when an individual passes on, there are many decisions that must be made. One important decision concerns the remains. There are many different options for families of individuals who have died. The two most common ways to handle the remains of a loved one is to purchase a casket and bury them or have their remains cremated.
Generally the most traditional choice is a standard burial in a casket. Many families choose this option because they are able to visit a gravestone and know that their loved one is there. A standard burial is often preferred because the individual is being left alone and is at peace.
Cremation is another choice that many families make. Cremation is when the remains of a deceased individual is converted into ashes. This is a fairly common practice on individuals who may have been severely injured or disfigured in an accident or do not have any family members around to make decisions.
The decision to cremate a loved one is often difficult, but there is also an option that is a combination of the two. Once remains are cremated, there are placed in a urn. A urn is a container that stores the remains. Urns can come in various different styles, decorations, and sizes. There is a urn that is known as a burial urn. A burial urn is a specific urn meant for being buried underground, like traditional caskets. A burial urn is generally made out of specific material that will hold well underground.
Generally when compared to a casket, a urn is considerably cheaper. If a burial urn is used and the individual is buried, you can still have a traditional headstone. There are no set limitations or rules on cremating and burying an individual.
In addition to a burial urn there are other burial options or accessories for a cremation burial. Many funeral homes or casket companies sell a special burial Urn Vault. The materials used, sizes, and styles will depend on where you plan on purchasing a burial urn vault. These vaults come in different sizes, but they are typically just big enough to hold a standard urn. These burial urn vaults are a protective way for urns to be buried underground. Just like caskets, burial urn vaults are typically decorated with various religious designs or they can even be customized for a family.
The decision to bury a family member is a touch decision to make. There are many tips and resources available for assistance with making this difficult decision. Cremation is a common practice used all around the world. The majority of religions accept and believe in cremation; therefore, it will generally not upset an individuals belief system. Handing the remains of a deceased family member is often a family decision. If the family cannot agree on a specific procedure, a burial urn may be a great idea. A burial urn allows remains to be cremated and buried all at the same time, generally pleasing all remaining family members.
When you are in the process of choosing a Funeral Casket it can be overwhelming at times. When buy a casket there is such a selection of to choose from these days. You have wood, metal, and many different gauges of steel caskets to select from.
The most important part of buying a casket first off is to make sure that the casket is a Batesville Casket. Batesville is the number #1 supplier of caskets to funeral homes in the US. Don't let someone try to talk you into some cheap overseas casket. Quality is from Batesville!
Start with the basics, would you prefer a wood or metal casket. After this look at your budget and see what price range will better suite your financial situation, and then you can pick accordingly. After that it is just a matter of personal preference. Think of the colors that your lost loved one enjoyed, and what kind of personality did they have. Were they reserved or exotic in taste, this will help you in choosing the right funeral casket for there personality. Also, there are special caskets for veterans, which show that pride of the armed forces in the artwork on the casket.
Today, you have more options than ever before when looking for the perfect casket, so I would suggest sitting down and talking to a funeral director and have them explain to you the options. Most of the time the Funeral Home will have a casket room that can help show you the differences between the caskets, and all the options you can add to your casket order.
When it comes down to it the only thing you need to remember is to pick the casket that you think is best for your family, never let a funeral director or anyone else try to make you purchase a casket you are not happy with. Once you find the perfect casket to honor you loved, you can rest knowing that you have done what in your heart was best, and that is what is most important.
Why Did They Die so Soon?
First it was my brother, Bobby, the boy who never met a stranger. Bobby was much like Daddy in that he always tried to make everybody laugh. Everybody liked Bobby. We grew up poor, but Bobby always had people buying him stuff because they liked him. He was just that sort of person. But, just like Daddy, Bobby’s flaw was that he was an alcoholic. Bobby was incarcerated for not paying on his fines for DUI and also possession of marijuana. He had been trying to get his life together. He was enrolled in a program at a technical college where he was taking auto body repair. He said he felt different there at school--that he really applied himself and that others didn’t even act like they cared. He finally had hope. But one trip back with his old friends in his old hometown was enough to get him back into one of his old patterns and he decided to get some marijuana. He was stopped by the police and found to be in possession. The day he went before the judge was a strange day--an almost mystical day. I was there with a letter from one of the directors of the school stating that he was enrolled in the program. But this was not enough for the Judge. When Bobby’s lawyer asked if they were sure that it was marijuana, the Judge said he didn’t know many people who would carry around a little bag of turnip greens. The Judge wanted him to stay in the same town and not be allowed to return to his out-of-state school. He said he thought the same thing might happen there. He wanted him to be with my mother at her home. The problem was that my mother had two children with my step-father and the burden would have been heavy on her. So, when they asked her if he could be released to her, she hesitated. She said, “well, oh, well my husband, uh--” I didn’t hear anything else. So, Bobby stayed in jail. It was a strange day, a very strange day. This one day, in my opinion, was the turning point of his life--he started dieing that day. You just never know. When I went to visit him there at the jail and bring him a few things, I asked him if they ever got ice cream. He said, are you crazy--they’d kill for ice cream here. Anyway, after a few weeks, Bobby was released and was on his way to live with me again when he was hit by a train. They said he was intoxicated. I remember my sister and brothers and I going downtown to get clothes for him to wear. We wanted him to have jeans, because he always wore jeans and then he had to have underwear. Why did he have to have them? There was a big discussion over this, so we finally made the decision that he was going to have underwear. The person who was helping us said that they came three to a package; someone said what are we going to do with the other two pairs? The assistant there at the store, seeing the situation said that he could get boxer shorts. But, we said he never wore boxer shorts. She said, ok--I’ll just take one pair out of the package. We were half there and half somewhere else. An open-casket was more than I could take. I remember thinking to myself--where were all these people when he was alive. One woman said, “doesn’t he look good?” I remember saying to her “the only way he would look good would be if he were alive.” My mother really loved Bobby because he was the only one who could make her laugh. She hasn’t really laughed much since he died. That was about 20 years ago.
Then there was Randy. Randy was a sweet, gentle man who never hurt anybody intentionally--except himself. When he was only 10, he had an accident which damaged his voice box; he was driving a gocart and ran into a chain length fence. He pressed the gas instead of the brakes. But, still he didn’t let that keep him from utilizing his voice as a way to make his living. With his graveldy voice, he worked at McDonalds and took orders thru the drive in. Many people asked him if he had a cold. Then later he worked for a major electronics firm where he worked in customer service. His last major goal was to receive his RN degree; but even though he graduated with a 4.0 average, he never got to use it. Just a few days after graduation, he was diagnosed with full blown AIDS. He could probably have lived longer if he had taken his anti retro viral drugs, but he said they made him sick, so he flushed them down the toilet. AIDS did not take him quickly. He suffered, so when he died at the hospital, I knew in my heart he would be better off with the Lord. He did try for a while. Randy never hurt anybody except himself, so why did he leave this earth premature? Randy joked about having AIDS and that Oprah ought to have him and Clay on her show because he felt it was probably strange for two brothers to have AIDS.
Randy and Clay both had gone to Los Angeles where they felt they were more accepted and able to live and not be judged because of their sexual preference. Clay was the strongest and was a fighter. Clay could really get angry. He was more of an in your face person. But when it came to AIDS, he was actually featured as one of the persons with full-blown AIDS who had lived the longest. This was many years ago, when everyone who got AIDS was expected to die from complications associated with AIDS. He said all of his friends were gone, including his partner whom he loved. But he fought and kept a positive attitude. He told me that at one time his T-cells were so few that he had them named.
So, why am I telling you about this? Why am I releasing painful information to you? It is not to make you sad. If you’ve read this whole article, you are definitely an unusual person who is not afraid to explore truth. Most people would have quit when after reading about Bobby. It is my opinion that most people don’t want to face reality when it comes to death and AIDS. That is why people don’t talk about it or why a cure has not been found.
I remember how people’s remarks hurt me so. My pastor at church stated in one of his sermons that “in the beginning, God created Adam and Eve; not Adam and Steve.“ I went up after the service and told him how this made me feel. After that, I left my church. My brothers had a relationship with God; none of us are perfect. We are told not to judge. But, people often put down and criticize something they are afraid of or don’t understand. We must all strive to understand each other. We must all love one another. We must all know that AIDS or alcoholism or any type of disease can happen to any of us or a person we love.
Sympathy Flowers - Advice from Experts:
Flowers have been displayed at the time of one's passing in nearly every culture throughout time, and their importance continues today. At funerals, wakes, memorials, and cremation services, flowers and plants are a sensitive way to commemorate the life of the departed, express heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family, and provide an important element of natural beauty in an otherwise somber environment. Family and friends often comment on the artistry, color, and fragrance of sympathy flowers, helping to aide conversation and soften the sorrow. An outpouring of flowers or a particularly striking floral tribute may be remembered long after the funeral as one of the most uplifting symbols of support. In the weeks that follow, flowers, gift baskets, and other expressions sent to the home are also important, as family members adjust to their grief. If you would like to express your sympathy to someone but are unsure what types of flowers or other gestures may best fit the situation, here are a few suggestions from experts to help.
Showing You Care
The most important consideration is to show you care, for the deceased, the bereaved family, and other loved ones who will be gathered. Flowers are one critical component, because they show tribute and honor to the life of the deceased. When considering what type of sympathy flowers may be most appropriate, consider that life. Bright flowers may be best to describe a fruitful life and convey the joy of fondest memories. Pale pastels are appropriate for a soft, feminine touch, while Autumn tones convey a more masculine theme. Pure white blossoms denote purity, grace, and peace. Roses, especially red ones, express undying love.
Making It Personal
If you'd like to personalize your tribute even more, your local florist can help. You might consider incorporating a favorite flower, personal item, or picture of the family. For someone who loved gardening, you might consider a gathering basket of garden fresh flowers with a just-picked look. For someone of faith, you might prefer a cross, Madonna, or other icon. Funeral flowers can be designed in all kinds of shapes and sizes, including insignias and sports items, as well as more traditional wreaths and sprays. Of course, flowers aren't the only way to show you care. Other gestures are important as well. Providing dinner for the family some evening can be so helpful, especially for families including children or elderly. A thoughtful letter, informal outing, or contribution to a favorite charity are excellent options, too. These additional gestures compliment the thoughtfulness of your sympathy flowers, adding an extra personal touch that will be greatly appreciated.
Knowing How Much to Spend
The cost of funerals is steadily increasing. Fortunately, there are flowers for almost every budget. You can express yourself eloquently with something as simple as a single perfect rose, as economical as a modest mixed arrangement, or as striking as a grande standing spray of elegant roses and lilies. For gifts to the funeral home or memorial service, fresh flower arrangements in vases and fan-shaped sympathy designs are usually best, because they provide the most impact for your money. Sympathy flowers come in a broad range of sizes and price ranges. The choice is up to you, but remember there may be other floral tributes displayed in close proximity. So, you don't want to skimp on size. For a nice table arrangement, plan on spending about $50 to $70, with fancier styles running $75 and up. For a larger standing piece, $100 to $150 is common. For gifts to the home, both flowers and plant are popular, with prices typically in the $35 to $60 range.
What about "in lieu of flowers?"
At the suggestion of well-meaning friends or advisors, families sometimes include a phrase in the obituary announcement such as, "In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to..." Of course, most families sincerely appreciate all personal expressions of support and may later regret having too few flowers at the funeral. A more appropriate phrase for many might be, "In addition to flowers..." or simply, "Contributions appreciated to..." Use your best judgement, but keep in mind that the "in lieu of" terminology is usually intended to encourage charitable gifts rather than discourage other expressions. Tasteful sympathy flowers are almost always appropriate in addition to charitable giving.
I didn't find out until after the funeral!
Even if you didn't know about the funeral until after it was over, you can still convey your love and respect. Family members need your thoughts, prayers, and personal expressions long after the funeral is over. Flowers and other gestures are a sensitive and appropriate way to let them know that they are not alone. After all, one of the best ways to honor those who have passed is to support those they have left behind.
Are there other ways that I can help?
The best thing you can do is to let family members know that you care. Help with meals, provide child care, drop by with a gift or card, or simply call. Everyone responds to loss differently, but reaching out reminds people they're not alone. You're care may help distract them from their grief allowing an easier transition into a normal routine. In other words, just being there is the best thing you can do to help.
From the people at 1-800-Florals and the Society of American Florists. For additional information and floral tributes, visit Sympathy Flowers online.
