Cremation Services in North Greenbush, NY | McVeigh Funeral Home

Do you want to plan cremation services instead of sticking with a traditional funeral in North Greenbush, NY? Here at McVeigh Funeral Homes, we know that there are many choices when you are designing a funeral for someone that you love. You can stick with the traditional plan of a visitation, funeral, and graveside service. Or, customize a different plan that will meet the needs of your family.

Our team has been serving families in the area for many years, so we understand all of the options that are available. We want to understand your goals and cater the funeral plans to match your requirements. Instead of assuming that you want a traditional funeral and burial, we are happy to discuss other options such as cremations or a life celebration.

If you are thinking about a cremation, then there are several things that you need to plan:

Small, Intimate Event or a Big Funeral?

It is common for families to plan a time to gather so that they can pay their final respects. This gathering might be scheduled as a big, traditional funeral. Or, you can plan a life celebration, which is basically like a party that will gather people together so that they can remember the person who was lost. You decide on the location and the theme of the gathering, and we can help with the arrangements for décor, food, and more.

If you want to have a life celebration, then you might look at options that aren’t normally included in a funeral event. For example, some families plan the gathering around the person’s favorite hobby, such as card games or another activity. Or, you might design it to be like a tailgate party with memorabilia of the person’s preferred sports teams.

Another option is to host a small gathering in your home or at a church. After the cremation is complete, you can have the ashes in an urn for people to visit. This gathering can be a good opportunity for people to share memories and stories of the person who was lost.

Traditional Funeral Services

A cremation doesn’t mean that you can’t have a traditional funeral or graveside event. You can have the body cremated, and then hold the funeral and a graveside gathering before the ashes are buried. If you prefer, you can even schedule an embalming and viewing before the funeral, then have the body cremated after the events are done.

You need to consider the desires of your family, and then pick the custom services to match. Here at McVeigh Funeral Home, we offer all types of customizations to help with these services. We will discuss your options for both funerals and cremations so that you can design a gathering to honor your loved one.

Urns and Scattering the Ashes

When you are planning a cremation, there is no need to spend money on a fancy casket. But, you might consider the option to choose a beautiful urn to use as a memorial. There are many types of urns available, so you can pick something that highlights the personality of the deceased. Choose one larger urn, or multiple smaller urns if you would like to distribute the ashes among family members.

If you are planning to scatter the ashes, then it might not make sense to spend a lot of money on a nice urn. Instead, some families keep it simple by storing the ashes in a plastic container until the ashes are scattered.

Do you want to scatter the ashes instead of storing them in an urn? Look for a location that will be meaningful to your family. Some people create a memorial garden where the ashes can provide nutrients for the ground to help the flowers and trees grow. Other people want to carry the ashes to a destination, such as the favorite vacation spot of the deceased.

Scattering the ashes is a natural way to return the person to the earth. Not only is it eco-friendly, but many people like the symbolism of the full-circle of life that is represented.

Cremations and Family Traditions

Some families have traditions or religious ceremonies that correspond with the cremation. If you have certain practices that should be included in the cremation, then we will do everything that we can to accommodate these needs. We always listen to your preferences to ensure that the day will go as planned.

If you are preparing for a funeral or cremation services in North Greenbush, NY, then you need to talk to our team here at McVeigh Funeral Home. We are experienced in the industry and can provide the services that you need. Visit our funeral home at 208 North Allen St, Albany, NY 12206. Or call to learn more about the options that are available: (518) 489-0188