Aquamation services are an alternative to traditional burial and cremation. In many ways the process is similar to cremation, but rather than using fire, aquamation uses an alkaline solution and hydrolysis to break the body down into its basic element of bone ash. Many providers of aquamation services near Wilmington, NC, provide more basic direct service packages. However, if you or your loved one wanted a traditional funeral to be held prior to the disposition, it is completely possible to do so.

The nice thing about hiring a company for aquamation services is the variety of options you have when it comes to what kind of services you want. While some people merely want a direct aquamation, perhaps with a private viewing beforehand, many others want more of a traditional service. You can have a memorial service after the fact, or a more traditional funeral beforehand. All you have to do is ask your aquamation services provider for their recommendations on a funeral home, and they may have trusted partners that they can connect you with as well.

Typically, a traditional funeral begins with either a viewing or visitation period. This can either be held the day before, allowing for a longer visitation time and giving more flexibility for people with difficult schedules, or it can be held earlier in the same day prior to the funeral. If you choose to have a viewing, you’ll also have to pay for embalming services through your chosen funeral home. You will also need to rent a casket to be used during the services. You’ll have to choose someone to officiate, and you’ll need a person to deliver the eulogy. Rather than traveling to the burial site after the funeral has concluded, your loved one’s body will be transported to the aquamation services location. There, they will undergo the hydrolysis process. After it’s completed, you will get their remains returned to you in the form of bone ashes, in a temporary urn. You may choose to purchase more permanent urns or other keepsake items as well.

One thing you may want to keep in mind if you’re planning on having a funeral followed by aquamation services, is pre-planning. Whether you have a loved one that you’re helping to plan their final arrangements, or you want to take care of your own arrangements, it’s wise to plan ahead. That way, you can choose which funeral home you’d like to use, which provider of aquamation services to utilize, and any other details of the services that you’d prefer to decide. This will make the difficult time following a death a little bit easier for you or your loved ones.

Although you may have thought that aquamation services near Wilmington, NC, were limited to direct and simple aquamation only, there are so many more options than that. As you can see, a full traditional funeral is possible, to be followed by aquamation services rather than cremation or burial. It’s easier than ever to create final arrangements that reflect the wishes of the deceased, as well as making sure that the surviving family is respectfully cared for.