Funerals are generally a very good idea, but there’s no rule requiring you to have one. You could conceivably forego the idea of a service altogether, or you may wish to consider something a little bit different. There are alternatives to funerals that may make a lot of sense for those who aren’t interested in the idea of a traditional funeral. If you or someone you know is looking for funeral homes in or near Charleston, SC, you should know that someone in your area is always ready and willing to speak with you about your options. Having options is a good thing, and it means that you have a choice when it comes to how a loved one is honored. We all want to do things the right way, and sometimes that means doing them a little differently.

McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation certainly doesn’t want to discourage you from having a traditional funeral. In fact, we encourage anyone who has any doubts to speak with us about what that funeral might look like and how it might work. You just might be surprised to learn that a funeral would in fact be a great fit for you and your family. Many people with reservations about the idea of funeral end up changing their minds when they learn more. That said, we also want to acknowledge that funerals aren’t necessarily right for everyone. That’s when you may really wish to consider some kind of alternative.

So is a funeral the right idea under your circumstances? It may or may not be. Much depends on where you stand after someone passes away. Remember that a funeral usually takes place within days of such a loss. Some families are ready for a funeral within that time frame, but others really aren’t. You may not have the time and energy to think about a funeral. You may want to focus your thoughts elsewhere. That’s certainly understandable. If this sounds like you, you may wish to think about a memorial service. Memorial services generally happen weeks or even months after someone passes away. This gives everyone some time to focus on themselves before turning their attention to some kind of service. Sometimes that makes a real difference.

Of course, there may be any number of reasons you aren’t comfortable with the idea of a funeral. You may just not like the idea itself. Note that there are other ways to go about remembering someone, including a “celebration of life” ceremony. This adopts a more positive tone and focuses on someone’s accomplishments and contributions. This is just one example of how we can do things a little differently if and when you aren’t a fan of traditional funerals.

We certainly can’t force you to have some kind of service, much less a funeral itself. But we do recommend doing something. Things like memorial services are good for the soul, and they do contribute to the healing process.

If you are interested in funeral homes in the Charleston, SC, area, consider reaching out to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation. We want to make sure your family has all the options they need when it comes to this kind of thing. Give us a call when you can.