Saying the last goodbye

One of the most important considerations when planning your final wishes is choosing between traditional burial and cremation.

There’s a lot to consider, including costs, memorialization and where you’d like your ultimate resting place to be.

While there are many different choices in selecting caskets and burial options, cremation costs are less expensive than traditional casket burial and vary depending on the type of service options selected.

For memorialization, we also offer a hybrid path of renting a casket to lay the deceased out for a traditional service and then cremation to follow. 

When counseling families, I take time to encourage them to weigh how important it is to them, loved ones and friends to see the deceased one last time. There’s a reason it’s called “paying your respects.” I feel this provides closure that’s emotionally healthier and more fulfilling in the long run than having a memorial with an urn up front. 

Families can celebrate a loved one who has been cremated by putting together photo displays. And we also create a memorial video to play at the service.

If the deceased is cremated, there’s also the question of what to do with the ashes. Many faiths used to forbid cremation but are now encouraging it by offering burial plots and niches to contain them. For the family and subsequent generations, people have told me they appreciate having someplace peaceful to visit to feel close to their ancestors.

I say this often to families: Funerals are as much for the living as they are for the deceased. The experience should be meaningful and memorable, healing for everyone going through the loss.

Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home is located at 29550 Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe. Visit OrlandoDonsanteFH.com for more information or call 440-943-2466.