Can I Have a Cremation and a Visitation?

Cremation is often confused with the misconception that you are limited to the type of service you can hold for your loved one. There are indeed various options that are available to customize the way you want to lay your loved one to rest and say your final goodbyes. In this post, we will go over the options available to you so you have an understanding when it comes time to arranging a service.

Different cremation options

Open or closed casket: Just like a burial, an open or closed casket visitation can take place prior to the cremation. Typically, with a cremation, there is no requirement to do an embalming, which preserves the body for a viewing. Although it can certainly be done if a viewing is of interest. The body can be placed in a casket for a visitation and the cremation would be done afterward. In most cases, the casket would be cremated with the body but is not mandatory. In some cases, the family does not wish to have the casket cremated with their loved one, in which they could use a "Ceremonial" casket strictly for the visitation.

Memorial Service with no casket: If the family wishes to have the body of their loved one cremated but does not want to have a visitation with the body they could have the cremation done and followed by a visitation with the ashes in an urn, displayed in the room where the service will take place. Family and friends can come and pay their respects and say their goodbye’s

Funeral Home or Church service: The family and friends of the deceased can gather together to have an informal service with the presence of the urn, followed by the delivery or the ashes to their final resting place, where the family and friends would gather graveside for the burial of the ashes.

Your options are not limited and you can personalize a service to fulfill the wishes and desires of a loved one that also fit the needs of your family. If you have any other questions or would like to speak to our professional funeral directors here at, Tindall Funeral Home, you contact us here and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.