cremation services

Some people prefer to have their remains cremated rather than buried. This requires the body to be placed in a special crematorium oven where the remains are reduced to ashes. In the 1970’s, only about one in 20 had their bodies cremated. Today, it’s up to over 25%.


As with burial, a cremation can have a full service. One option is to have a viewing and then after the service is completed, the cremation takes place. There are special cremation caskets for just this purpose.


Of course, when a cremation has taken place, a memorial service can still be done. One option is to have an urn with the ashes present. This reduces the anxiety that can occasionally be felt by some people that are uncomfortable being in the presence of a dead body.


And finally, a cremation does not have to be accompanied by a service at all. A choice some people make is to seek to spare families the possible anguish and expense associate with a service.


When cremation is done, there are of course ashes. Many people like to keep those ashes near a photo of their passed loved one as a reminder. In some cases the ashes are split up amongst different family members. In other cases, as with a body, ashes are buried or put in a mausoleum or a columbarium. Yet one other option is to spread the ashes. This is sometimes done at a favorite location, the woods and sometimes even, out at sea. Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home can assist you on this endeavor should a boat be necessary.

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Traditional Funeral Service Followed by Cremation

Many families find meaning and beauty in a traditional funeral service. With a traditional service combined with cremation, you can still choose to have a final viewing, visitation or wake, and a funeral service. However instead of in-ground burial, the funeral will be followed by cremation. Depending on your wishes, the cremated remains may be either returned to your family for storage in an urn, scattered, or interred in a columbarium. This option will include fees for the funeral services as well as the fees associated with the cremation itself.

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Memorial Service

The memorial service can be held in our chapel, a church, or any other venue the family chooses. We work with our families to design a service that honors their loved one with stories, music, or scripture. We also have life celebrants that lead services where clergy may not be chosen. Our celebrants are trained in creating experiences that help start the healing process.

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Graveside Service

Graveside services following cremation offer a meaningful way to honor your loved one with a final act of remembrance. This intimate gathering at the burial site of the urn provides a quiet moment for family and friends to reflect, share memories, and say goodbye in a peaceful setting. Whether simple or ceremonial, it’s a heartfelt way to bring closure and lay your loved one to rest with dignity.

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Direct Cremation

Direct cremation involves the transportation of the deceased from the home, hospital, nursing facility, or coroner's office to our crematory facilities. It also includes the completion of all required paperwork. There are no formal memorial services and your loved one’s ashes are promptly returned to the family.