Organizing a funeral for a loved one who has recently passed away can be overwhelming. Not only do you need to deal with the loss of this person, but you also need to determine what this person had in mind as their final wishes. Unfortunately, believing a few common myths can alter your opinion on funerals, burials, and cremation services. With this guide, you will learn the truth behind myths that surround funerals and cremations.

Visitations/Viewings/Wakes Not Permitted Before Cremation

One of the most common reasons individuals choose traditional burials over cremation is because they want to visit or view their deceased loved one. While surprising for most people to learn, this viewing is possible before a cremation.

Also known as a visitation or wake, a viewing is a popular option for friends and family members who want to see the recently deceased one last time. For many, this viewing offers a sense of closure.

Traditionally, the viewing takes place a day before the actual funeral and burial. If your loved one's body will be cremated, a viewing can be planned beforehand.

Your Loved One's Urn Will Contain Ashes of Multiple People

Another common myth is that all cremated remains combine with the ashes of other cremated individuals. Fortunately, this is also a myth that needs to be addressed so more people will feel at ease if they choose cremation for a deceased loved one.

Federal and state guidelines regulate the cremation process to ensure only one deceased person is cremated at one time. In addition to these rules and regulations, inspections of the crematorium and funeral home are conducted routinely.

In a crematorium, small particles of your loved one may intermix with particles left behind by another deceased person. However, the particles of another person will NOT be combined with your loved one's remains once they are placed into an urn.

Your funeral home or crematorium will discuss the cremation process with you, so you will understand the contents of your deceased loved one's urn.

Embalming Is Legally Required

When you are making preparations for your loved one's final goodbye, the funeral home may explain to you the process of embalming. Embalming is an important option for preserving the body, especially if you are planning to have a viewing before the funeral or cremation.

It is not always required by law, but there are specific guidelines legalized by your state that  you and the funeral home must follow.

Almost half of the states in the nation do not have any laws governing embalming, but some states do require this preservation method if the body is not buried or cremated within 24 or 48 hours.

Your funeral home or crematorium should provide you the exact rules for embalming in your state.

Preneed Contacts Pay for Everything

A preneed allows a person to not only plan their final wishes but also pay for them. If your deceased loved one had a preneed written up, they will have worked with the funeral home to design their funeral, visitation, burial, or cremation and paid for these services in advance. This reduces the emotional and financial stress you will experience after your loved one passes.

Unfortunately, a preneed contract does not pay for everything. As your loved one's beneficiary, you may be responsible for other costs.

Costs associated with an autopsy, flowers, clergy, newspaper notices, and grave openings, will not be covered by a preneed because the costs change sporadically.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is challenging, but proper understanding of your loved one's final wishes can help. By debunking these common myths, you will understand these processes involved in saying goodbye to your loved one. Visit a site like http://www.fosterwarnefuneralhome.com for more info.