Endless Possibilities

There are two facets of the design process. First, we ask you to consider how you wish to honor and celebrate the life. When those important decisions are made, we’ll turn to the issue of how you wish to care for the physical remains.

  1. Comfort in Tradition.
  2. Patriotic Honor.
  3. Together Is Better.
  4. Savor Memories.
  5. Ride Strong.
  6. No Place Like Home.
  7. How Would You Like To Be Honored?
  8. A Sporting Celebration.
  9. Keepsakes and Heirlooms.
  10. The Game Goes On.
  11. Take The Stage.
  12. Into The Deep.
  13. Reach for the Stars.
  1. Comfort in Tradition.

    We’ll help you design a service with classic rites and rituals that will feel like timeless tributes.

  2. Patriotic Honor.

    Show the deepest respect to a veteran with a flag presentation and 21-rifle salute.

  3. Together Is Better.

    For burials and cremations, create a unifying service with readings, memories and spirituality.

  4. Savor Memories.

    Gather loved ones with a delicious feast in a relaxed gathering.

  5. Ride Strong.

    Bring a prized vehicle into the service, from a fire truck they served on to a restored hot rod.

  6. No Place Like Home.

    Bring family and friends together in a home or private garden, around familiar belongings.

  7. How Would You Like To Be Honored?

    Funerals unite people when they need each other most. These services can be opportunities to celebrate everything amazing about the life that was lived. And also to give guests a meaningful, healing experience. Explore a range of ideas and find what speaks to you.

  8. A Sporting Celebration.

    For fans, you can show the passion of the game through memorabilia, tailgating and more.

  9. Keepsakes and Heirlooms.

    Bring a set of objects that shares a treasured hobby, and guests can even leave with an item.

  10. The Game Goes On.

    For card sharks, Scrabble pros or billiard players, the game can be incorporated as a tribute.

  11. Take The Stage.

    For thespians and opera lovers, a theatrical event can be the perfect end to a brilliant life.

  12. Into The Deep.

    For a loved one who feels home at sea, cremated remains can be scattered over an expanse of ocean.

  13. Reach for the Stars.

    “Fly me to the moon; let me sing among those stars.” Many of us long to be able to travel among the planets of our solar system and out among the stars. Becoming part of the cosmos may be the perfect ‘send off’ for someone special.

Designing your Funeral

There are two facets of the design process. First, we ask you to consider how you wish to honor and celebrate the life. When those important decisions are made, we’ll turn to the issue of how you wish to care for the physical remains.

How to Honor a Life

It’s about bringing those you love together, at a time of loss. It’s a natural thing to do, and over time, has become a socially-expected practice. More importantly, a funeral or memorial service, whether traditional, or contemporary, is the first step in healing.

You can have your service anywhere, and any way, you want. Your choices include the place of celebration, day of the week, and time of day; the musical selection, what prayers will be said or songs you’d like sung. We can arrange to have doves, butterflies, or balloons released at the close of the service. Keepsake gifts of wildflower seeds or a tree seedling can be given. We’re here to help you create the most memorable and meaningful service to honor your loved one.

Burial or Cremation?

Your next consideration focuses on choosing between burial and cremation. Usually, people are clear on this point. In fact, your loved one may have told you, or someone else, exactly how they wish to be cared for. But it can be a hard decision for some families, especially when the wishes of the deceased were never clearly stated. If that's the case, please know we're able to help you come to the perfect decision for your loved one, and for you.

Once you decide, the finer details come into focus. If you've chosen burial, then selection of the casket, vault, and desired cemetery follows. Naturally, we’re here to help you.

If cremation is your choice, then you'll need to make the next decision: whether the cremated remains will be placed in a mausoleum niche, or buried on the cemetery grounds.

In some communities, there's the option for a 'green burial.' If that's what your loved one would prefer, we'll help you select an environmentally-friendly choice.

What's Next?

Now that we've given you the basics, it's time to reflect more on exactly what is appropriate for you and your family. If possible, gather everyone together to speak of their feelings and desires.  We also recommend reading the attached pdf document, Michigan Funeral Facts. This 23-page pamphlet was developed by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association to be used by consumers as a general guide to help them understand what they may expect when working with their local MFDA-member funeral director as they consider the appropriate service for their loved one.

Still looking for inspiration? Speaking with a professional funeral planner will help to clarify your thinking. Reach us at (989) 752-8531.