funeral services Hertford UK from Austins: The Austin Family has served the community, as funeral directors, for over three centuries. Our commitment to bereaved families has established Austin’s as Hertfordshire’s leading, family-owned and operated, funeral director. Those working within our family business are proud to provide a standard of professionalism, dedication and depth of knowledge, recognised by both members of the public, professionals and other funeral directors. See extra information at https://austins.co.uk/.
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.
Humanist celebrants are non-religious and focus on making the funeral service a positive reflection of the person who has died. Civil celebrants lead funerals with or without religious content, creating an occasion for mourning or a celebration of life according to the wishes of the deceased person (if known) and their loved ones. It’s important to choose a celebrant whom you feel comfortable talking with and who listens, understanding your questions and requirements. Ask for testimonials from previous clients, and look for mentions of listening, writing and presenting skills. How they managed the service and liaised with the family are also important. At Austin’s family funeral directors, we work with several funeral celebrants. If you would like their details, please let us know.
A eulogy is an opportunity to remember the life of a person who has died and provide comfort to those who are mourning. It is read aloud during the funeral service. Whilst there is no strict structure involved with preparing a eulogy, the following details are usually included: Introduction: Start with a brief introduction, introducing yourself and your relationship with the person who has died. You can also include your thoughts about them as part of your introduction.
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. Read additional info on https://austins.co.uk/.
Bobby Marino