Our Monthly Tip: Add a Personal Touch to a Cremation Ceremony

Cremation ceremonies allow people to place in the casket something that holds special meaning. Credit: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Our Tip of the Month: Bring a Meaningful Object To Be Included in the Casket During the Cremation Ceremony

Saying goodbye during a cremation ceremony, or cremation viewing, can feel both profound and overwhelming, and many families look for a way to make the moment more intimate. One way to do so is to place a special object — something that reflects the life, passions or values of your loved one — into the casket.

Items like a handwritten letter, a cherished photograph, a favorite book or a small keepsake can serve as a final offering of love and respect. Choosing an item with significance not only honors their memory but also gives family and friends a tangible way to participate in the farewell so you can create a cremation ceremony that feels deeply personal.

Natural objects like stones, shells and leather can be cremated along with your loved one during a cremation viewing.
Credit: Unsplash

How-To Suggestions: What To Include and Not Include in a Casket

When planning the cremation viewing, ask your friends and family to consider whether there is something symbolic they might want to contribute to the casket. You might advise them to think about any special memories they’d like to share, or whether there are any particular items they feel would honor your loved one’s memory. 

To avoid any misunderstandings, be clear that some items may be prohibited to include in the casket for the actual cremation process. Metal objects like jewelry, trinkets and batteries might be permitted to be placed in the casket for the cremation ceremony, then removed by the funeral home and returned to you later.

Similarly, do not include anything with alcohol, aerosols or materials like latex and vinyl in the casket as they can cause harmful emissions, catch fire or pose combustion issues.

You can include personal items like a hat, scarf or gloves in the casket for the cremation ceremony.
Credit: Unsplash

Items you may wish to include in the casket during the cremation ceremony:

• Natural objects like stones, shells and leather.
• Photos, personal letters and paper mementos like tickets or brochures.
• Books, scriptures, poetry, diaries or journals.
• Comfort items like a favorite blanket, stuffed animal or cherished clothing.
• Religious or spiritual items, like rosaries, prayer beads or small icons.
• Hobby-related keepsakes like a golf ball, paintbrush, small model airplane, baseball hat or gardening gloves.
• Personal items that make you think of the person and what they loved.
• Flowers, either a bouquet or a single flower of significance.