Making the choice to be cremated or buried can be complex and fraught with emotion. Family can be overwhelmed by the idea of cremation or the cost of burial, and it can often be difficult to respect the wishes of the deceased where conflicting values are held.
Funerals are as much a celebration of life as a mourning of passing. Cremation has a finality that physically ends one’s presence and for family members who wish to continue honouring the life of the deceased, a plaque has less of a poetic sentiment than a headstone. A sentiment that briefly describes the life of the deceased provides a context for how the deceased lived and died.
A Memorial for The Living
Burials have a tradition in the Christian faith that dates back the first testament when Moses was buried by God in an unknown location. Today, the final resting place of our dearly departed is celebrated at funerals and many years on from death.
Père Lachaise in Paris is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. It’s the final resting place of composer Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Balzac, Proust, Gertrude Stein and Jim Morrison.
Some of the most romantic and beautiful stories are told in the intricate architecture and ongoing adulation of the deceased. Oscar Wilde’s tomb is covered in lipstick marks, whilst fans of The Doors make pilgrimages to the site of Jim Morrison’s gravestone, leaving epithets that seem to ultimately prove their own existence.
Westwood Village, a memorial park in Los Angeles, is the final resting place of many of Hollywood’s celebrities and creative geniuses. Marilyn Monroe, who was cremated, attracts thousands of visitors a year who bring flowers and leave lipstick marks surrounding her plaque.
Honouring Life
Life can be honoured in death whether we choose cremation or burial. An affordable funeral with living significance can include the scattering of ashes at a location sacred to the deceased, where descendants can pause for reflection in perpetuity of memory.
Functional memorials, such as stone benches or gifts to private clubs can also serve as a permanent memory of a cherished life well-lived. The options today are more varied than ever before.
Funeral Services in Brisbane
When you’re ready to talk to a funeral director in Brisbane, Cremations Only can help with the planning and preparation of a funeral. If you’re considering expressing your wishes in a will, we can assist in the costing and preparation to ensure your loved ones are prepared to enact your wishes.
Our low cost options are among the most competitive for funeral homes in Brisbane and can be arranged discreetly and with the greatest sensitivity to all involved.