When trying to decide what type of final arrangements you want, you must first start by deciding what final disposition you prefer. There are three basic types of final disposition, they are:

• Burial/Entombment
• Cremation
• Anatomical Donation

There are many options that are available with each kind of disposition, and each one can be tailored to fit your individual needs. Your funeral director can advise you on how to best personalize your final arrangements.

Burial/Entombment

Most people still consider burial or entombment the most traditional. Many times there is a public visitation followed by a funeral service and burial in a grave or entombment in a mausoleum. However, you may choose not have to have visitation or even a funeral or graveside service.

Cremation

Cremation is an option that is becoming more popular with families. With cremation you have many different options. You may still choose to have a traditional service with both a public visitation and funeral service. Or, you might choose just a visitation or funeral service or a memorial service without the body present or no service at all. The options of what you can do with the cremated remains are endless, everything from burial or entombment to scattering at sea or on the family farm.

Anatomical Donation

The choice of anatomical donation to a medical school is another option that is available. However, with medical school donation your service choices are limited. Normally, there cannot be a public visitation with the body present. When a medical school donation occurs the person is sent directly to the school and cremated remains will be returned to the family. A memorial or remembrance service may be held. Sometimes families will have a graveside service after the ashes are returned to the family.