Maintaining And Preserving A Cemetery Vault Over Time

People who come to our funeral homes in Shelby Charter Township, MI often don’t know that some cemeteries require a burial vault. Some who know this fact are unaware that a burial vault can still leak even if it was set or sealed correctly. This is because, over time, the vault is going to lose its structural integrity and may not provide adequate protection for the casket. You can prevent this through proper maintenance and preservation of the cemetery vault.

Ensure That The Cemetery Has The Correct Equipment

Some cemeteries are so small that they do not have the correct equipment to set or seal a vault. If they use the wrong equipment, you may have a harder time maintaining the vault. Fortunately, companies that sell vaults can provide the equipment and help you seal the vault correctly. A vault that is sealed correctly lasts for a longer period of time and does not need to be maintained frequently.

Why You Should Maintain A Burial Vault

While it’s true that burial vaults are built to last for a couple of centuries, it does not mean that they cannot be damaged. You want to maintain that vault so that you and your children will still be able to visit the burial site of your loved one years in the future. A damaged burial vault can cause the earth on top of the vault to cave in and expose the casket to water and dirt. That means that the casket will get damaged.

How To Maintain And Preserve A Burial Vault

Burial vaults may not need regular care as your car does but you should clean the exterior of the vault whenever you can. Just removing the dirt and debris that collect on the vault can help protect the structure of the vault and make it last longer. Inspecting the vault periodically for any damage allows you to spot a problem such as a crack or other things that may need repair or restoration. Just applying a special coating on the vault can also make it moisture or dirt-proof.

Be Careful When Cleaning A Burial Vault

Most of the time there will be instructions from the manufacturer on how to clean the burial vault. You will find that the requirements for cleaning a concrete vault differ from those of cleaning a metal vault. Only use a broom or a brush when removing debris or dirt from the surface of a concrete vault. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you want to use a pressure washer because using it carelessly could damage the vault and leave the casket vulnerable. Take extra care not to damage the engravings on the carapace of the vault. Metallic vaults just need to be wiped clean with a sponge or soft cloth dipped in soapy water. Make sure you wipe away all the soap residue from the metal surface.

If you still have any questions about maintaining burial vaults, come talk to our friendly staff. We also provide funeral and cremation services in Shelby Charter Township, MI.

Are Casket Rentals A Cost-Effective Alternative to Purchasing

You can ask funeral homes in Washington Township, MI to organize a traditional funeral that includes a cremation of your loved one. Traditional in this context means that there will be a memorial service, a funeral service, and a visitation or wake. For the viewing part of the funeral, you are going to need a rental casket if you are concerned about the cost. Here is what you need to know about rental caskets.

Understanding Rental Caskets

These types of caskets only became a thing when cremation started becoming popular. They can also be used in situations where the family wants to bury their loved one in a biodegradable container. Rental caskets are different from other caskets because they have a removable interior. This insert is a box made of wood or very heavy cardboard. So, the casket itself can be used several times without actually getting into direct contact with a body. The exterior of rental caskets just looks like normal or standard caskets used in traditional funerals.

Rental Caskets Can Save you Money

The average cost of a rental casket is between $690 and $990, which is less than half the cost of a new casket. You may pay lower or higher than the average based on the type or style of the casket you choose. The interior of the casket is cremated together with the deceased. That means that the insert does not have to be made of expensive treated wood or metal, all it has to be is combustible. You can view this option as more environmentally friendly than when you use a traditional casket.

Where to get rental caskets

Ask the funeral home you want to use whether they provide rental caskets. There are also companies that specialize in providing rental caskets and you can find them online or ask your funeral director for recommendations. You should make arrangements in advance so that your requirements are met by the funeral home or company that provides rental caskets. You also need to ask about whether the funeral home requires families of the deceased to buy a cremation casket.

Regulations For Renting A Casket

Renting a casket may not sound like such a hygienic option. Fortunately, there are laws that regulate how these caskets are supposed to be made and used. While these caskets have a standard appearance, they are actually designed for multi-use purposes. They are fitted with a new insert for every use and the renter is informed beforehand that the casket has been used already and will be reclaimed by the company or funeral home. But if the non-removable portion of the casket is stained, contaminated, or soiled by a body placed in the insert, it cannot be reused. Rental caskets are legal to use if these regulations are obeyed.

Rental caskets are becoming popular as more families choose the cremation option for their loved ones. We offer affordable cremation services in Washington Township, MI, and can also help you find the right rental casket for your loved one.

The Difference Between A Funeral Home And A Crematorium

Many people don’t have to organize a funeral for most of their life unless they are funeral directors for funeral homes in Washington Township, MI. So, they often get confused when the words crematorium and funeral home are used interchangeably when they do not refer to the same thing. The difference between the two is mainly based on the number of services they offer to clients.

Crematoriums Are Different From Funeral Homes

Crematoriums often only offer a single service which is the cremation of a body. They will not handle all the details of the funeral, which means you have to do most of the funeral arrangements on your own. But a funeral home not only provides cremation but also helps arrange the funeral including handling all the logistics even if it means transporting relatives from other states to the funeral. Your funeral director can actually help organize the transportation of the body of your loved one across state lines. They can also organize visitation, wakes, memorial services, funeral services, and burial services. A funeral home is basically a one-stop shop for all the funeral services you need.

Other Services Offered By Crematoriums

To actually cremate bodies, crematoriums have to also provide storage for the bodies. This is because cremation can only be done legally after certain paperwork is completed. They can provide an alternative container to hold the body if you don’t want a casket. Plastic containers or cardboard boxes are used to hold the ashes after the cremation. Crematoriums can also provide ash scattering services or sell you some land where you can bury the urn holding the ashes of your loved one. They can also return the ashes to you if you want to keep them at home.

Funeral Homes Provide More Cremation Packages

Whether you want a cremation with no services or one with services including viewing or a wake, a funeral home can arrange it. Funeral homes provide different packages of cremation services that are easy to understand and each package comes at a different cost. There is a direct cremation package that involves the cremation of the body without viewing or funeral service. You can also choose a package that includes all the traditional aspects of a funeral except for the cremation. It all depends on your budget or what your loved one asked for in the funeral plan. Your funeral director can help you choose the option that is right for you.

Should You Choose A Crematorium Or A Funeral Home

Crematoriums work like “depositories” for the bodies that are about to be cremated. On the other hand, funeral homes are run by members of the community which means they deal with real families every day. These establishments are designed to make you feel at ease when you visit them.

We don’t just provide cremation services in Washington Township, MI but arrange memorial services, wakes, funeral services, and others. Contact us today so that we can provide you with the highest quality care and service in your time of need.

Top Vault Personalization Ideas

Many people that want to honor their loved ones often want to know if funeral homes in Shelby Charter Township, MI can help them personalize their loved one’s burial vaults. You can personalize a burial vault by adding a photo, emblem, and other designs on the carapace of the vault. Here are some great ideas you should consider.

Printing Images On the Burial Vault’s Carapace

The image is not printed directly on the concrete surface of the vault. Instead, the image or photo is printed on a special vinyl material that is then expertly glued on the top of the cover or carapace of the vault. The image can be a photo of your deceased loved one, an animal, the sky, the nation’s flag, and any other thing you can imagine. They can even use your family photo and add a background of your choosing. These images are colorful just like the photos that you have on your phone and they are resistant to the eroding powers of sunlight and water.

Military Appliques And Emblems For Veterans

If your loved one served in the army, you can have your loved one’s military appliques that show their accomplishments and honor their bravery included on the carapace. These include images of military patches or symbols of the military. These include patches that show the branch your loved one served on, their deployments, and other specialized activities they were dedicated to. It’s all up to you what you want to be included in the carapace.

Choose a Color for the burial vault

Most of the time burial vaults retain the color of the material used to make them, which in many cases is the grey color of concrete. You can have them painted in decorative gold, pink, blue, or any other color. Some companies can paint patterns or designs that you love on the whole burial vault. The most popular color choices are silver, copper, gold, black, and dark blue.

Engraving Names And Other Details On The Vault

You can engrave the image together with other details about the deceased on a brass plate and then fix it on the carapace of the vault. Details you can add to the plaque include the name and date of birth of the person buried. You can also include a short poem or a verse from scripture on the plaque. Another option is to just curve the name of the deceased directly on the surface of the vault.

Add Flowers And Other Decorations On The Vault

Another method of personalizing a vault is by adding temporary decorations such as flowers, wreaths, cards, and other types of decorations on the vault. While they are temporary, they clearly show how you personally felt about your loved one.

All these vault personalization methods can be done with the help of funeral homes that provide funeral and cremation services in Shelby Charter Township, MI. Contact us today and let’s help you arrange a memorable and meaningful funeral for your loved one.

How To Shop For A Casket

You will find that funeral homes in Chesterfield Township, MI have their own casket showrooms where you can choose the right casket for your loved one. You can also buy caskets or coffins online or even at a cemetery where you want to bury your loved one. Buying a casket or coffin is an integral part of making funeral arrangements, and is the largest purchase for a funeral. To help make it easier for you to choose the right decision, you have to consider the following points.

A Casket And A Coffin Are The Same Things

The difference between the terms casket and coffin is geographical. While it’s possible to hear the term “coffin” used in the US, it’s a term that is mostly used outside of the US to mean casket. Some people may use a casket or coffin based on the number of sides the wooden or metal box has. Coffins have 6 to 8 sides while coffins have four sides, but in the US the term “casket” is the correct term to use. So, don’t get confused when you see these two terms used when you are researching caskets online.

Buying A Casket From A Funeral Home

Buying a casket from a funeral home is a convenient way because you get everything you need from the funeral from one source. Since the funeral home is arranging the funeral, it would be much easier for them if they were also the ones providing the casket. But you always have the option of going online to find a casket. If you find what you want online, it’s a good idea to go to the seller’s showroom to see whether what you are about to buy is what you actually want.

How To Buy A Casket From A Funeral Home

The funeral home you use will provide a Casket Price List before they show you the caskets they offer. The funeral home will show you the expensive, the mid-range, and the more affordable option. If you have done your research, you are going to have an easier time choosing the casket you want without basing your decision solely on price.

Buying A Casket Online

Online retailers have made it really simple to purchase a casket from their websites. Even big stores like Wal-Mart allow you to buy caskets online. But you have to consider the high delivery fee, especially if the casket has to be transported from out of state. A significant number of people claim they save a lot of money by buying caskets online.

Third-Party Retailers

There are many independent high-street casket retailers. They specialize in selling caskets and even have showrooms where you can choose the casket you want. Fortunately, funeral homes accept caskets from these third-party retailers. But buy from an independent retailer based near your location and ensure they have the casket you want or can order the casket in time for the funeral.

We don’t just help you arrange a funeral when you come to us for funeral and cremation services in Chesterfield Township, MI, but can also help you find the right casket for your loved one.

Signs You Should Consider A Contemporary Funeral For A Loved One

A contemporary funeral is a funeral that breaks all or most of the rules for traditional funerals. More people are turning to personalized funerals and funeral homes in Chesterfield Township, MI are often willing to arrange such funerals. But you may be having trouble deciding whether you should consider a contemporary funeral or just stick to cookie-cutter traditional funerals. Here are signs you should consider a contemporary funeral.

You Dislike Formal Events Or They Make You Uncomfortable

The formality of traditional funerals can be an additional burden on mourners. Traditional funerals are often very formal occasions because of their religious nature. Sometimes it’s so formal that the family members of the deceased are not allowed to read their own eulogy, give a speech, or even read a poem to honor their loved one. Instead, the representative of the religion, who has little knowledge about the deceased, gets to speak more than the family members.

You Are Not Religious Or Are Agnostic

Another sign you may need to consider a contemporary funeral is if you are not religious or are agnostic. Instead of spending the funeral shaking your head in disagreement at the religious rituals or messages being shared, personalize the funeral and do it in a way you think will honor your loved one. That means a funeral with no sermons or religious rituals and so on. Instead, you can organize a funeral that centers on the life of the deceased, especially if you want the funeral to be a celebration of life.

The Deceased Asked For A Non-Traditional Funeral

If your loved one did not specifically say they wanted a non-traditional funeral but their wishes may not be accommodated in a traditional funeral, then a contemporary funeral is a no-brainer. On the other hand, it’s not unusual for a person to ask for a contemporary funeral before they die. This is because contemporary funerals are actually becoming more popular than traditional funerals.

You Want An Affordable Funeral

People who feel that a traditional funeral is not affordable and may put a financial burden on their family can get creative and have a funeral they can afford. For instance, you can choose a direct cremation and then hold memorial service weeks or months later at your home or at a beach, or any other location. That means not paying for a casket, burial ground, funeral service, and even an urn if you choose to scatter the cremains. It all depends on what you decide is necessary to celebrate the life of a loved one.

You Want To Live Stream The Event

If your loved one has many friends but not all of them are able to make it to the funeral, then you can stream the event on various social media or streaming platforms. That means adjustments will have to be made to how the services are held.

Our staff can help you organize a contemporary funeral when you choose us to provide funeral and cremation services in Chesterfield Township, MI. Let us help you create a meaningful ceremony that celebrates the life of your loved one.

What To Know About A Veteran Funeral

Veterans planning a funeral or the loved ones of a veteran may not have to pay for all costs at funeral homes in Washington Township, MI. They can access benefits that are occupational in nature and are only available for veterans that were not dishonorably discharged. But the family of the dead veteran still has to pay for some of the funeral costs. Here are things to know about a veteran funeral.

A Veteran Funeral Ceremony

A veteran funeral often includes a basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony. There is folding and presentation of the United States flag to the family of the deceased veteran during this ceremony. The ceremony is different depending on the status of the deceased in the military. Two or more members of the Armed Forces render the funeral honors. There is also the playing of taps by a bugler, or when there is no bugler, a clear recorded version of a bugler playing may be used.

Requirements For Funeral Honors

Active military members or in the Selected Reserve are eligible for military funeral honors. Retired military members are also eligible but only if they didn’t go through a dishonorable discharge. Another group that is eligible is former military members that completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve. They must not have been separated from the military under dishonorable conditions. You are also eligible if you were discharged from the Selected Reserve because of a disability that occurred while on active duty.

What Funeral Costs Are Covered By Veteran Affairs

Veteran affairs provides multiple benefits to a deceased veteran that may be financial in nature or may include certain unique funerary goods and services. If the deceased is eligible, VA may pay up to $2,000 to cover burial expenses but on a reimbursement basis and only for service-related deaths. That means that the family of the deceased has to provide receipts and the VA will pay the maximum amount permitted by law. Non-service-connected deaths result in a $300 reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses.

You May Not Have To Buy A Casket

Free caskets are only for personnel who died on active duty. You may also receive a free urn if there is cremation. The casket provided is of high quality. For veterans that received an honorable discharge, only a free flag for draping the casket is provided. But they have to pay for other funeral goods and services they incurred from funeral homes or mortuaries. Military personnel that died on active duty and those that received an honorable discharge all get a hero’s tribute in the form of military funeral honors.

Our funeral home offers services specifically targeted at military families. We have the information you need and can work with you to arrange the whole funeral. Our staff can answer all your questions about veteran funerals when you come to us for funeral and cremation services in Washington Township, MI.

What To Write On Cremation Urns

After choosing the right urn for your loved one at funeral homes in Washington Township, MI, you may find it challenging to pick the right quote to engrave on it. You may wonder whether to just write a name or include “In Loving Memory” with the name. The thing is you can write anything on the urn as long as it is personalized and means something to you and other people who were close to the deceased. Here are some ideas on what to write on the urn holding your loved one’s remains.

Bible Verse Epitaphs Are Great If You Are Religious

The Bible has a number of quotes that are concise, significant, and relevant. Inscribing a Biblical quote on an urn is itself significant because the Bible is considered as the divine message from God. The quotes are often concise or short enough to fit on the visible surface of the urn. You can use the King James Bible if you want the quotes to sound like Shakespeare if you are into that. Finding a relevant quote in the Bible is not hard because you already know how your loved one lived their life and you know their faith. Some popular verses Bible verses include:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1)
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)

Use Poetry To Express Your Emotions And Thoughts

Poetry is an art form that people use to express how they feel about loss, love, life, and death. Quotes from poems can more clearly express the extent of your sorrow while at the same time honoring the memory of your loved one. Unlike Bible scriptures, quotes from poems may use many words just to express one emotion. Be conscious of the limited space that is available on the urn. You may have to add the quote on the back of the urn and have the name and dates on the front.

Adding Artwork As Part Of Urn Inscription

You can also add custom engraved artwork to the urn if there is adequate space available. The art can depict the personality, beliefs, hobbies, interests, and other qualities that the deceased had. But make sure that the art does not dominate the space instead it should complement the text engraved on the urn. Your funeral home can help you find great artists that can do custom engravings if you are having trouble finding one.

Humor Is Also Acceptable

Humor is also acceptable depending on the kind of relationship the deceased had with close family members and friends. These messages can include “just breathe”, “Beam me up, Scotty” and so on.

When you come to us for funeral and cremation services in Washington Township, MI, our staff can help you find the right urn and the right message to engrave on it.

Why You May Need A Burial Vault

A burial vault is a solution most funeral homes in Shelby Charter Township, MI may suggest if you are concerned about the integrity of the casket of your loved one after burial. The extra weight of the earth above the casket and water leakage may cause the casket to cave in after a period of time. This will incur extra costs because the cemetery will have to do something after the grave collapses. Here are reasons you may need a burial vault.

Grave Liners Do Not Protect The Casket

Many people confuse grave liners with vaults but grave liners are basically concrete boxes that prevent the grave from collapsing or caskets from caving in. They have multiple names such as grave receptacles, rough boxes, or concrete boxes. But since they are made of concrete, they cannot efficiently protect the casket from water and dust leakage. This can cause the structure of the grave liner to weaken and also deteriorate the casket. You can prevent all this by using a burial vault.

Burial Vaults Are Built To Provide Security

Burial vaults are made of concrete but they are also lined with plastic on the inside and are sealed securely. The seal prevents the cover from sliding from its position so that it can continue protecting the casket space. They perform the function of grave liners but they also protect the casket from the elements. That means that there is no intrusion of water or dust into the vault. So, the main difference they have with grave liners is that burial vaults offer more security for the casket. Vault manufacturers are serious about the durability of their vaults which is why they offer warranties.

You Can Customize A Burial Vault

You can have a photo of your loved one or an emblem added to the burial vault to personalize it. There is a standard quality for burial vaults but you can choose to get one that offers premium protection. That means it could be made with other materials that enhance the integrity of its structure and seal it more securely.

Where To Purchase Burial Vaults

The funeral home you are working with should have burial vaults that you can buy. But if you want a wider selection of burial vaults you may have to contact a retailer that specializes in selling burial vaults. But the cemetery is likely to charge you a fee for using a burial vault that you purchased from other retailers. The price for a standard burial vault is somewhere between $900 and $7,000, but it’s not unusual to find vaults that cost as much as $13,000.

Buying Vaults Online Is Not Recommended

Purchasing burial vaults online is not a good idea because the retailer will probably charge you high shipping fees. This is obvious because burial vaults are really heavy and difficult to ship.

We help customers seeking funeral and cremation services in Shelby Charter Township, MI find the right burial vault for their loved one. Our main focus is to lighten your burden and provide the highest quality care and service in your time of need.

Why The Bereaved Need Grief Support

Not many people know that funeral homes in Shelby Charter, MI offer resources for after-care services to help the bereaved deal with grief. There is growing awareness of the need for after-care services for people who are overwhelmed with grief and are in need of direction. Grief is a natural reaction to death but the bereaved can sometimes find it extremely hard to let go, especially if they were not prepared for their loved one’s passing. Here are reasons why grief support is essential.

Why You May Need Funeral After-Care Services

Grief counseling and other compassionate care services are meant to help the bereaved work through the waves of emotions they may feel after losing a loved one. Grief often starts with denial that the death has actually happened and then anger follows. Then there is bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. While there are different stages of grief, not everyone goes through each stage the same way. Signs of grieving vary from person to person and may include reactions such as loss of sleep, shock, anxiety, loss of appetite, anger, distress, and more. This means grief counseling should be personalized.

People Experience Grief Differently

The different types of grief include complicated grief, broken heart syndrome, traumatic grief, and depression and grief. Complicated grief is where the symptoms of grief last for at least a year. How intense this grief depends on the individual experiencing it. This kind of grief often produces multiple symptoms that make it harder to get through your daily routine. Traumatic grief only shows symptoms days or weeks after a loved one dies in a traumatic event such as a car accident. Broken heart syndrome happens when a bereaved person gets shocked by the news of a death to the point where their heart health is affected. Chest pains are often the most obvious symptom of this kind of grief.

Techniques Of Grief Support

Grief counseling is meant to help you express your emotions, treat trauma, establish a support system, address your emotions, and help you accept the reality of the loss. So, when you talk to a grief counselor, they are likely to ask you to describe how you feel and also encourage you to talk about the loss. Accepting that you are grieving is really important because you will now be able to understand the symptoms you experience after your loved one’s death. Grief counseling can also help deal with anxiety, guilt, and fear.

Children’s Grief Is Different

Most of the time minor children do not know or understand what has just happened when a loved one dies. Even pre-teens experience difficulty processing death. A counselor is likely to help the child understand the concept of death before helping them accept the reality that their loved one has just died. They may also teach the child to grieve in a healthy manner.

Our experienced professional staff can help you find the grief counseling resources you need when explaining the funeral and cremation services in Shelby Charter Township, MI.

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