How to Honor a Lost Loved One at Your Wedding
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It’s never easy to lose a loved one, and a devastating event like this is only exacerbated when you also need to identify him or her.
While it’s undoubtedly an emotional experience, identifying a loved one can help you find closure. It’s also a required step of law-abiding funeral homes prior to a cremation. For these reasons, you or a trusted family member or friend must give the funeral home a positive identification.
Because everyone handles grief differently, there is no right or wrong way to prepare for the identification of a departed loved one. To aid in the process, we’ve compiled several tips to prepare, as well as what you can expect.
>>>Related Resource: 6 Steps for Arranging an Authorized Cremation in Ohio
Your emotions and grieving state may feel overwhelming during the identification process. To help best prepare yourself, follow these steps:
Those identifying a loved one have three options: to identify them in person, digitally by photo (usually when a viewing is not possible) or by an accurate positive identification method. No matter which option you choose, your experience should be thoughtfully respected by the funeral home.
Before identifying your loved one in person, decide if you’d like to go alone or with a family member or friend. You may want to use this time for personal closure with your loved one. Some individuals who choose to do the viewing alone will still bring a family member or friend to wait outside for extra support.
As an alternative identification, staff can present surviving family members with a photo of the departed. The staff will explain what you will see to help prepare you, and the funeral home staff will be present for support if needed.
Another form of photo identification is a digital identification. The funeral home will send a private, secure photo of your loved one from the shoulders up. In cases where the face may not be identifiable, you may request an image of a unique physical feature to help make a positive identification.
When you receive the identification photo, view it from a secure spot, such as the comfort of your home, using a personal device. Because you may only be able to view the photo once, make the screen you’re using is large enough to easily see it.
Once you’ve confirmed that the photo is your loved one, make sure you follow the instructions to confirm with the funeral home.
Identifying your loved one is one of the many steps you’ll take when arranging a cremation.
To help you get the best value and ensure your loved one is cared for, we created the Cremation Cost Explained Guide, which includes information about common service options and costs, choosing a trustworthy cremation provider and more.
Download it now for everything you need to know about choosing cremation.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2016, and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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