Monthly Archives: May 2021

cremation services in Monroeville, PA

All About Spreading Ashes

One of the most common choices for final disposition after cremation services in Monroeville, PA is spreading the ashes. Spreading ashes can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, as there are a variety of different methods to choose from, some traditional and simple and some much more unique and elaborate.

Some scattering methods include:

  • Trenching – Trenching is when the bereaved dig a shallow pit in which to deposit and lightly bury the ashes. This way, the ashes aren’t technically buried but they are contained to a specific spot so they can be visited or honored.
  • Plant a Tree – Tree urns turn cremated remains into fertilizer for new trees, giving your lost loved one new life through loss. You can plant the tree anywhere you want from a backyard to a special park. The tree will always be there as a place you can visit when you miss the deceased or want to reflect on their life.
  • Raking – Raking is similar to trenching, but instead of digging a small hole in which the ashes are covered the ashes are raking into the soil with a tool like a rake or shovel. Many people choose to rake ashes into a significant place like the yard of a home or a special park.
  • Space Launch – Whether your loved one always wanted to be an astronaut, loved stars and space, or you just want to give him or her a very special send off, you can launch the ashes into space. There are a few specialized businesses that launch ashes into space for a significant fee. The ashes will orbit the earth for a few months and then vaporize when the re-enter the atmosphere.
  • Aerial Scattering – People also scatter ashes into the air by climbing up a mountain or hill, going to the edge of a cliff, or using the wind in an open plain or meadow. You can also hire a specialized plane to scatter the ashes from way up in the air.
  • Water Scattering – Water has almost always had a connection with spirituality and religion, making it a very popular choice for scattering ashes. Scatter ashes directly into the water or release them in a water-safe biodegradable urn.
  • Skydiving Scattering – If the deceased was adventurous or free-spirited what better way to scatter his or her ashes than while skydiving? This unconventional ash spreading method helps you literally and figuratively let go of your lost loved one.
  • Fireworks – Spreading ashes is usually a somber experience, but why not make it more fun and celebratory with fireworks? Firework companies make fireworks using the cremated remains to have the deceased be a part of a spectacular light show in the sky.

cremation services in Monroeville, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you have more questions about spreading ashes or about Monroeville, PA cremation services. We offer a wide range of expert services and would be happy to help you however we can in your time of loss. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call today.

funeral home in Monroeville, PA

What Can You Use as a Cremation Urn?

There are lots of options when it comes to urns for after a cremation at a funeral home in Monroeville, PA. You can always choose timeless and traditional urns, or you can get creative. Want some inspiration? Keep reading.

You can easily add ashes to an existing planter to act as fertilizer for any kind of plant, be it a young tree, bush or flower. Mix the ashes in with the soil and as the plant grows it will draw nutrients from the ashes to grow big and beautiful. Use a hollowed-out book, too! Hollowed out books aren’t just for hiding secrets or stolen money like in the movies. You can order a custom-made false book or hollow out the deceased’s favorite yourself using a knife and a bit of elbow-grease. Place the ashes inside in a bag and seal the book with glue.

Stuffed animal urns are most commonly made for children that have passed away. The stuffed animal is cut in a small opening, the bagged ashes are placed inside, and the animal is resewn. You can also choose almost any kind of instrument, carve out a hollow, and seal some of the cremated remains inside. Brass instruments, guitars and basses are best suited. You can also create memorial jewelry. It can be very comforting after a losing a loved one to keep the ashes close. Memorial jewelry allows you to do just that. Create any kind of jewelry piece from a pendant to a ring with the ashes. The pieces can be made from stainless steel, platinum, bronze, or many other kinds of metals. Use an empty coffee can from the deceased’s favorite brand. This could also work with a tea can or box.

Turn an everyday ornament into an urn. A holiday ornament urn is basically just a mini urn that can hang on a Christmas tree. The ornament is too small to hold all the cremated remains, so it’s a good opportunity to make several ornaments for all the family to have. Perfect for deceased beer lovers, beer growler urns can be custom ordered from most craft breweries. In some instances, you can order a growler with the label listing the deceased’s name. Think of your lost loved one every time the wind blows. Order a custom wind chime urn online and hang it on a porch, in a yard, or in a window. You can even choose what kind of chime you want, like an alto or soprano. If the deceased loved fishing, commemorate him or her in a sealed tackle box. Be sure to keep it in a safe place, but don’t forget to bring it out on the water with you the next time you go.

funeral home in Monroeville, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you want to learn more about your options for cremation urns for after a cremation at a Monroeville, PA funeral home. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call today for more information on what we can do for you in your time of loss.

cremation service in Penn Township, PA

How to Customize Memorial Services

Do you know how important a personalized memorial can be? Studies show that the more personalized and memorable a memorial service is the more it helps not only honor the deceased but also offer some relief for the bereaved during their time of loss. There are lots of ways you can customize a memorial service to honor and remember the deceased after a cremation service in Penn Township, PA.

Key Takeaways:

You can establish a memorial together, or find a way to include their favorite things, such as memorial work of art, collage or timeline. You can also invite guests to take an item home. Some ideas for the service are putting out special food, adding decorations, setting up a memory table or stations, and sharing photos and videos.

Use this list of ideas to help inspire you to make a custom memorial after a cremation:

  1. Put Out Special Food – Food is a serious comfort for a lot of people. Take inspiration from the deceased’s favorite foods and put out a special spread for guests at the service.
  2. Add Decorations – It might seem like bad form to decorate a memorial service after a cremation, but decorations can actually make the service more special and unique. You can add decorations in any form you want, from lamps and rugs to artwork, flowers and everything in between. Bring decorations that somehow represent or honor the deceased. For example, if she loved to stitch, you could hang some of her work. Or if he loved a certain artist you could display copies of famous artwork.
  3. Set Up a Memory Table or Stations – A memory table is an easy way to help make a memorial service custom and personalized. It’s a simple and free way to show items that either meant a lot to the deceased, show their personality, or represent the deceased to other people. You can put almost anything on a memory table such as photos, sunglasses, ticket stubs from special events, letters, favorite vases or flowers, beloved clothing, or anything else that was special to or about the deceased. You can also make several memory stations as opposed to just one table. There can be themed tables with each one showing a part of the deceased’s life, such as wedding memories, school items, and children and grandchildren.
  4. Share Photos and Videos – Many bereaved families make photo collages or montage videos for a memorial service. These items are treasured by the family, but other bereaved like friends and coworkers would appreciate access to them as well. Consider uploading any montages or videos online to share with other people. You can use Google Drive, Drop Box, or YouTube. Make the files accessible with only a certain link and print the link on the service program so guests can access it if they choose.

These ideas are just a few of the many, many ways that you can make a memorial after a cremation service unique and meaningful to help ease the pain of loss and honor the deceased. If you need more ideas, look to the deceased for inspiration from his or her life.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you want to learn more about Penn Township, PA cremation services. We offer expert cremation services designed to help you during your time of loss. Please give us a call today for more information about what we can do for you.

funeral home in Penn Township, PA

All About Flowers and Funeral Homes

Do you know which flowers you should bring to a funeral home in Penn Township, PA? Bringing flowers to a funeral is a long-standing tradition that means a lot to most people. However, many people don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing the flowers they should bring to a funeral.

It’s important to learn more about the different kinds of traditional funeral flowers so you can put a bit of thought into your purchase, as each one represents or means something different.

  1. Mums – Chrysanthemums, or mums, are the exclusive funeral flower in Europe and many parts of Asia as they are believed to represent grief and truth while also the uplifting celebration of the deceased’s life.
  2. Carnations – Carnations are a common funeral flower because, like roses, they mean different things based on color. Red carnations mean affection, pink remembrance and white innocence.
  3. Hydrangeas – While hydrangeas don’t have a known meaning or representation, they are an incredibly beautiful and popular funeral flower. Some people like to think of them as a flower of thanks or understanding as they are easy to maintain and bloom for many years when cared for well.
  4. Roses – Roses have a lot of different meanings depending on their color. For example, pink roses are all about grace, friendly love and appreciation while red roses are for romantic love, courage and respect. Yellow roses, on the other hand, are for friendship.
  5. Orchids – Orchids signify lasting, eternal love as they live for much longer than the average potted flower.
  6. Lilies – Lilies are the most traditional funeral flower as the signify innocence and peace. Many people believe that lilies help give peace to the soul of the deceased.
  7. Tulips and Daffodils – Both of these sunny spring flowers represent fresh starts and renewals. They are usually sent to bring cheer to someone in grief. Yellow tulips signify cheerfulness while white tulips signify forgiveness.

In most cases, the bereaved won’t have much of a preference over what kind of flowers people bring. After all, they’re going through a loss and will be busy dealing with the ins and outs of the funeral. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t put thought or effort into the flowers, especially since it’s the thought that really counts in these kinds of situations.

Bringing flowers shows that you care, and that you are thinking about the bereaved in their difficult time. Use your heart when choosing which kind of flowers you want to bring, as its really the thought that counts. No matter which you choose, the bereaved will greatly appreciate the sentiment. These are just a few of the many different kinds of flowers that are common for funeral homes, so feel free to choose what you feel is best.

funeral home in Penn Township, PA

Flowers and funeral homes have always gone hand in hand. Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you want more information on funeral flowers or on Penn Township, PA funeral homes. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today to learn more.