A life deeply mourned, a life lovingly celebrated.

The time immediately after a death is a time like no other. There is simply no occasion when people come together in the same way: to talk, to remember, to grieve, to comfort one another, to laugh, to cry. 

Saying goodbye and celebrating the life of the deceased is also a crucial part of the healing process. That’s why a ceremony—whether you choose burial or cremation—is so important. 

The possibilities are endless: you can celebrate a life in unique and truly personalized ways, from the basic to the elaborate, from the traditional to the non-traditional. At Hamlett-Dobson, we’ve helped people create meaningful and wonderfully memorable ceremonies tailored to their specific needs since 1916. 

Typically, services include both a visitation and either a funeral or memorial service, followed by a graveside or ash scattering service. The form that these services take is entirely up to you. 

A visitation is a gathering of friends and family in which the deceased is present in an open or closed casket. Public or private, formal or informal, visitations allow mourners to pay their respects, grieve, tell stories and share fond memories of the person who died, and begin to find healing during this difficult time. Remember, if you choose cremation, you can still have a visitation before cremation takes place. 

The funeral or memorial service is a formal gathering to honor the life of the deceased. At the funeral service, the body is present, while a memorial service takes place without the presence of the body. These services may be officiated by clergy, family or friends and held at one of Hamlett-Dobson’s chapels, a church, or at another location. The content and location are up to you. 

Graveside services at the cemetery or an ash scattering service are other opportunities for ceremonies. 

Organizing a gathering before or after any of these services creates more opportunities to share stories and memories and provide comfort to one another. 

Whether it be a traditional bagpiper playing Amazing Grace, balloons being released by grandkids, nieces and nephews, a family candlelight service following a visitation, or a catered reception, our goal is to create an exceptional service that reflects the uniqueness of a life well lived. 

Contact us to find out more about the many options available to you.