SERVICES
Cremation Services
Meaningful Service Options Before or After Cremation
Today, many families across Baton Rouge, Walker, Saint Amant, Gonzales, Denham Springs and surrounding Louisiana communities are choosing cremation because it offers flexibility and simplicity. What many families may not realize is that cremation does not limit the opportunity to have a meaningful service. In fact, families can choose to gather either before cremation takes place or afterward through a memorial or celebration of life.
At Church Funeral Services & Crematory, we help families create arrangements that feel personal, comforting, and meaningful. Whether the service happens before cremation or after, taking time to gather with loved ones can play an important role in honoring a life and beginning the healing process.
Simply Cremation
- Transport to Our Secure Location
- Shelter & Care
- On-Site Crematorium & Processing
- Death Certificates*
- State Required Cremation Container
- Temporary Return Container
- Required Preparation of Remains
- Facility, Staff & Equipment
- No Hidden Fees
Simply Cremation with Immediate Family Identification
- Transport to Our Secure Location
- Shelter & Care
- Cremation Casket
- On-Site Crematorium & Processing
- Death Certificates*
- State Required Cremation Container
- Temporary Return Container
- Required Preparation of Remains
- Cosmetology, Dressing & Placement
- Facility, Staff & Equipment
- No Hidden Fees
Traditional Service with Cremation
- Transport to Our Secure Location
- Shelter & Care
- Embalming & Sanitary Care
- Cosmetology, Dressing & Placement
- Death Certificates*
- Hardwood Cremation Casket Insert
- Transport, Equipment & Placement for Service
- Licensed Funeral Director & Staff
- Funeral Coach
- Funeral Paraphernalia
- On-site Crematorium & Processing
- Sales Tax
- Temporary Return Container
- No Hidden Fees
Funeral Services Before Cremation
Many families choose to hold a visitation or funeral service before cremation occurs. This allows loved ones to be present together for a meaningful farewell while still choosing cremation afterward.
A service before cremation can include:
- A visitation or viewing
- A church or chapel service
- Religious traditions and prayers
- Music, readings, and personal tributes
- Time for family and friends to gather and reflect
For many families, having their loved one present during the service brings comfort and creates a more complete opportunity to say goodbye. Following the ceremony, cremation takes place privately.
This option allows families to experience the familiarity and support of a traditional service while still choosing cremation as their final preference.
Memorial Services After Cremation
Other families prefer to have cremation take place first and hold a memorial or celebration of life afterward. This option offers additional flexibility and gives families more time to plan a gathering that feels thoughtful and personal.
A memorial service after cremation can take place days, weeks, or even months later, allowing loved ones who may be traveling or making arrangements time to be together. These services can be held at a church, funeral home, family property, community space, or another meaningful location.
Many families find that a memorial service after cremation provides an important opportunity to:
- Share memories and stories
- Celebrate the life that was lived
- Receive comfort and support from others
- Honor family traditions and beliefs
- Create a moment of healing and reflection
Even when cremation has already taken place, the need for connection and remembrance remains. Gathering together allows family and friends to support one another and acknowledge the significance of the loss in a meaningful way.
Why These Gatherings Matter
Whether a service happens before cremation or afterward, the purpose remains the same. It gives people the opportunity to come together, remember someone they love, and begin processing grief surrounded by support.
One of the most common things families tell us is how important it was to gather together. The stories shared, the hugs exchanged, the music played, and the memories remembered often become lasting sources of comfort long after the service is over.
Choosing cremation does not mean giving up the healing benefits of a funeral or memorial service. In many cases, families find that combining cremation with a meaningful gathering creates the balance of flexibility, personalization, and emotional support they are looking for.
Personalized Cremation Services with Compassion and Care
At Church Funeral Services & Crematory, we believe every life deserves to be honored in a meaningful way. Whether your family prefers a funeral service before cremation, a memorial afterward, or a more personalized celebration of life, our team is here to guide you with compassion, care, and attention to every detail.
We are honored to help families throughout South Louisiana create services that bring comfort, connection, and lasting remembrance.
Permanent memorialization
Keeping an Urn at Home
Cremation is a common choice, and we offer a variety of urns so families can find the perfect one to honor their loved one. At Church Funeral Services, we help guide you in selecting a meaningful urn that reflects the life and memory of your loved one, providing a lasting tribute for years to come.
Placing the Urn in a Columbarium (aka, a “niche”)
Many families find peace in having a dedicated final resting place where they can visit and reflect. Placing an urn in a niche or columbarium offers a meaningful, permanent space to honor your loved one’s memory, providing a place for future generations to come together and remember.
Burying the Urn
Just like with a casket, choosing an in-ground burial for the urn provides a meaningful and lasting final resting place. This option allows families to have a dedicated space for reflection and remembrance, offering a sense of peace and continuity for future generations.
Scattering of the Cremated Remains
Some families find solace in scattering cremated remains in a place that held special meaning to their loved one. This personal and heartfelt choice allows for a unique tribute that reflects the individuality of your loved one and provides a comforting way to honor their memory.
