WHERE TO START
Where To Start
When first beginning the process of deciding how to honor someone, the decisions can seem overwhelming. Closure is a very real thing; not everyone feels they "need" a service to gain closure. However, it is a fact that most people want and need a time to gather in some organized way to acknowledge the loss of a loved one, be it family or a friend. Whether formal or informal, once this is over - there is a distinct feeling that the process of moving forward now begins. Quite often, we hear people who initially felt they didn't need any type of ceremony, and then attended one, say they are thankful they did so. In a time of loss, it's not easy to know what we need. It starts with a discussion.
Your director here at McCullough will help you tackle the choices one by one, and as decisions are made these choices will help create something that leads to a celebration of life - whatever that looks like for your particular situation. There are no rules; one size doesn't fit all.
We know we live in a diverse community and we believe this is part of what makes our area great. Our team is experienced in understanding and accommodating the needs of all beliefs, faiths, lifestyles, and relationships. We're here to answer questions and guide you through decisions. We encourage you to take your time to craft the most fitting way to honor your loved one, and by doing so in a thoughtful manner, incorporate the things that you, your family, and friends will find meaningful and healing.
At McCullough, this process is broken down into two stages: decisions regarding how you can best honor your loved one, and decisions regarding how you'd like to care for your loved one's physical remains.
Designing a Service
Whether it's formal or informal, traditional or offbeat, an organized service of some type provides the opportunity for family and friends to come together, share stories, and support one another. Services can take place in almost any setting you wish - certainly in our facility, whether the chapel, a visitation room, or back at The Farmhouse; there is also the traditional church setting to consider. However, celebrating your loved one doesn't have to be traditional...any place of significance may be an option. The event can incorporate music, poetry, sports, or anything that was important to the person being honored. We believe that this time when friends and family are gathering once more, specifically to celebrate this one unique person, should be highly personal. There are endless possibilities...just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean we can't make it happen! The entire McCullough Funeral Home care-team is ready and willing to go above and beyond to meet any request.
Caring for a Loved One's Physical Remains
Once you've decided just how to celebrate your loved one's life journey, the next decision you'll face is about how you'd like to care for their physical remains. This can be a difficult or emotional choice for you and your family; not everyone in a family has the same opinion. We'll provide you with the information you need and help you to consider all your options. We want you to make the decision that is right for your loved one, and for your family. We want the process to conclude with everyone on the same page, because now is a time families need each other without differences pulling them apart. There are really just two choices in this matter, burial/entombment or cremation. Once this is decided, there are a few additional decisions to make:
- For a burial, you'll select a casket and a cemetery, and choose between a ground burial or entombment in a mausoleum. We can help with this, including sharing information about our family owned cemetery, Magnolia Park, or other cemeteries including those specifically for military veterans.
- For cremation, you'll select a container for your loved one's ashes, and also choose whether to bury, entomb, or scatter the ashes. As with burial, there are many options of where to do this.
- An important note about cremation: many people think that the cremation process itself is the final disposition of the remains. It really isn't. The final disposition is where the remains of the loved one will be cared for, forever. It could be in a simple personalized urn, at home; or buried in a private or national cemetery, or scattered somewhere meaningful. Regardless, it is wise to consider doing or having something personal that says "this person was here".
No matter which path you decide to take, we will support you and assist you in understanding your various options. The McCullough Funeral Home mission is to know you are able to make a well and fully informed decision that feels right for you, your family, and your loved one.
