funeral services Buntingford UK by Austins: The family designed and built Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Gardens in 1997, to further serve the needs of the local community. The Austin Family is committed to the continued provision of a caring, sympathetic and sensitive service to the bereaved and their loved ones for many years to come. When someone dies it is quite usual for the family to contact a Funeral Director immediately. At Austin’s, we provide a 24-hour service to support families at this difficult time. We are able to advise on the actions required for the funeral arrangements to be made. Discover extra info on funeral directors Harwood Park.

Scattering Ashes – This is an increasingly popular option and usually involves a few words spoken as a send off or final goodbye for your loved one. Relatives usually choose a place that was meaningful to their loved one. Alternatively, you can choose somewhere picturesque or peaceful. In the UK, ashes can be scattered anywhere with the landowner’s permission. Creative Options – There are several creative ways in which you can use your loved one’s ashes. Increasingly, people have jewellery made using ashes. Another art-orientated choice is to use the ashes within a painting, sculpture or glass artwork. For music lovers, ashes can be used to make a vinyl record. Some people choose to grow a tree using the ashes. It’s important that this is done using a tree pod. (Cremated ashes can harm plant life if interred on their own due to the acidity involved in the embalming process, but tree pod burials prevent this from happening.)

Remember it’s ok to feel sad. Allow yourself to grieve and understand that it’s a natural part of the healing process. Modify celebrations – Be prepared to modify or skip certain celebrations if they are too overwhelming. Choose the activities that feel right for you and how you feel. If your usual festive traditions are too painful, consider creating new ones that feel more manageable. This can help shift the focus and make the season more bearable. Remember that everyone grieves differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to navigate the festive season while dealing with grief. Take the time you need, be gentle with yourself, and prioritise your well-being. ‘Do’ Christmas your way this year.

Some common responsibilities of a funeral celebrant include: Meeting with the family of the deceased to gather information about the person’s life, achievements and personal beliefs. Preparing a personalised funeral service that reflects the deceased person’s personality and life story. This is usually tailored to reflect the person who has died, and the wishes of the deceased and their family. Collaborating with the family to choose appropriate readings and music that are significant to the person who has died and their loved ones.

Personal Anecdotes: Share personal stories or experiences that highlight the personality, values and interests of the deceased person. This can include funny or inspiring memories. Memorable Qualities: Talk about the special qualities that made the person unique. Reflect on their kindness, compassion, sense of humour, determination or any other virtues that stood out to others. Achievements and Contributions: Highlight the accomplishments and contributions the person made during their lifetime. These can include their professional achievements and personal milestones, for example, involving family, hobbies and career as relevant.

As well as being simpler and quicker, direct cremations emphasise celebrating the deceased person’s life rather than a traditional funeral service. 52% of people want to express their life through their ashes’ final resting place via more informal and celebratory events. Trends for the future: The survey results show that a good send-off still matters, but how this looks and where it happens are already changing thanks to two key developments: A well-established trend towards celebrating the life that has been lived rather than mourning the death. A new opportunity to ‘uncouple’ the cremation from the ceremonial elements. See additional details on austins.co.uk.