Deathcare rituals are changing, and traditional funerals are no longer the default they used to be. Today, there are countless meaningful, non-traditional, personalized ways to honor a loved one when you opt for a cremation service in Warner Robins, GA. 

These alternatives are less expensive and can be a lot more intimate than your average traditional funeral. 

If you're considering alternatives to a traditional funeral, here are some to inspire you: 

  1. Celebration of Life 

A celebration of life is a beautiful way to pay tribute to your loved one's life and say goodbye. You can host the event at home or at a venue of your choice, and they can include speeches by family members, music, poems, and stories about the deceased from friends and family. 

Celebration of life is often accompanied by food and drinks and is usually themed according to the deceased person's passions. 

  2. Ash Scattering Ceremony 

Suppose you want to keep things simple without foregoing tradition completely. In that case, you might consider having an ash scattering ceremony. It can be informal or formal and can happen anywhere. 

An ash scattering can happen at sea, but some prefer scattering the ashes in a favorite park or sharing them in keepsake urns or jewelry with other family members. 

You could also bury the ashes in an urn that you keep at home or scatter them somewhere special that was significant to the deceased person during their lifetime. 

  3. Online Memorial Service 

Another option is setting up an online memorial website where friends and family members can share memories of the deceased with each other using photos, videos, and messages. 

  4. Tree Planting Ceremony 

If you want to remember your loved one more permanently, consider planting a tree in their memory. You can plant the tree yourself or ask someone else to do it for you. 

Planting a tree has many benefits, including boosting your mental health and environmental awareness. You can also add a bench if you want to sit and reflect on their memory. 

  5. Fundraising in Memory of the Deceased 

Another alternative is to organize a fundraising event to raise money for a charity that was important to the deceased person during their lifetime. This is especially relevant if your loved one was an avid supporter of a cause that helps others. 

If you don't know the charity the deceased would have wanted to support, ask other family members and friends if they have any ideas about what they might have wanted. You can then discuss the suggestions and pick one based on their input and yours. 

  6. Memorial Run/Walk/Bike Ride 

A memorial run, walk, or bike ride where everyone comes out wearing t-shirts with photos of the deceased is another non-traditional way to honor your loved one. 

You can organize a reception after, at home or in a restaurant, and everyone who participates in this activity will always have the shirts to remember your loved one by. 

Any of these examples will do, and you can use them to create something completely different. Whatever you decide, make sure it is something that will not only make your loved one proud but also help you deal with their loss in a healthy way. 

And if you need help making arrangements, our Warner Robins, GA, cremation service is here for you. We help families organize farewell ceremonies that suit their loved one's personality. Call us now to speak with our funeral director.