The Basics of Planning for a Funeral and Cremation in Locust Grove, GA

Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home strives to provide services that honor the individual spirit of each person we serve. For over 50 years, our family-owned business has provided compassionate care and exemplary funeral and cremation services in Locust Grove, GA, with deep roots in the community. We recognize the importance of traditional values while celebrating diversity in funeral service. Our experienced funeral directors provide guidance and support to families navigating funeral planning and creating meaningful funeral, memorial, or cremation services. Our caring staff will be there every step of the way, providing compassionate care while attending to all your funeral needs with efficiency and dignity. We invite you to contact us at (770) 775-3916 if you have questions or want more information on our funeral home services. Thank you for considering Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home.

Death comes to each person and each family sooner or later. That doesn’t make it easier when it happens, but it can allow us to prepare for that eventuality if we choose. Prearrangement plans for services like a funeral and cremation in Locust Grove, GA, can be completed even for healthy individuals in the prime of life. Upcoming deaths like those associated with a terminal illness diagnosis or advanced age can also have plans put in place. However, preplanning isn’t always possible. If you haven’t ever had to think about what to do when someone dies, here are some guidelines:

Death at Home or a Business

Your immediate call upon discovering a deceased person outside of a medical facility should be 911. This is necessary even if you do not think the deceased person can be saved. The police and emergency personnel will come immediately and investigate the circumstances at hand. The coroner will give the word when all information is collected, and the body can be released to the mortuary. If you are the next of kin, you will be responsible for selecting a funeral home you would like to work with for final arrangements.

Death Pronounced in a Medical Facility or Under a Doctor’s Care

Physicians and their teams are well-versed in the protocol of what to do when a patient dies. They will alert authorities as needed to get the clearance for the corpse to be released to your chosen funerary firm.

Choosing a Quality Funeral Home

Since you will need the support of a reliable death care team, it might make sense to you to take a little time to find a firm you feel you can trust with this delicate process. Look for an experienced professional team that offers a full range of service options. This will make the process easier for you since you won’t potentially need to coordinate services with other providers. If you have time to crowdsource, find out whom those in your network of family, friends, and colleagues would recommend for final arrangements.

Funeral and Cremation in Locust Grove, GA: How Death Care Can Be Supportive to Those Mourning a Loss

Saying these goodbyes can feel impossible. However, grief experts widely agree that mourners with opportunities for closure often have a healthier start to the grieving path. Honoring ceremonies can offer that reality-affirming closure. Closure does not mean mourning will be complete, only that it can help with the denial/acceptance phase of grief. There are many ways to design healing services relating to options with a funeral and cremation in Locust Grove, GA.

Funeral Services

Honoring ceremonies centered around deceased bodies are usually considered funerals. The body can be openly displayed or kept out of view with a closed-lid casket. The funeral often includes a visitation with the family, the funeral event where the deceased is remembered, and words of comfort are spoken, followed by a burial service if that happens nearby. Some families close the day with a post-service reception.

Many families choose to have the body embalmed so that one last viewing is possible. When this is wanted, it can be a supportive option for those profoundly mourning the loss. Embalming removes the internal body fluids and replaces them with a combination of chemicals that act as preserving and cleansing agents on the cells. This serves to halt and significantly slow the decomposition process.

Cremation Services

Preparing the body of the deceased for final disposition could be done with a cremation procedure. In this process, the body is burned in a cremation furnace chamber until only a portion of the physical matter remains. This mainly consists of dried-out bone fragments. They are made more uniform in texture and are called “ashes” or “cremated remains.” Cremations are often less expensive than traditional funeral events because they require less of the funeral director’s time and attention to detail.

Remembering a Well-Lived Life, No Matter the Length

Letting go of a precious loved one, no matter the length of their life, is exceptionally painful for most of us. Some measures can be taken during the death care process and afterward, which may bring comfort. These could include commissioning remembrance tokens like fingerprint or cremation jewelry. Customized figurines, statues, digitized video slideshows, or photo galleries are other beautiful mementos. Ask your director what is possible regarding these commemorative physical reminders of a cherished life.

Retain the Services of Caring, Experienced Professionals

Look for a quality, full-service firm like Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home for your potential needs with a funeral and cremation in Locust Grove, GA. See our clean and comforting facilities at 212 E College St, Jackson, GA 30233, by calling for a tour today. Our team of compassionate experts stands ready to help at a moment’s notice by calling (770) 775-3916.

Funeral Home and Cremations FAQs

Is Pre-planning a Funeral a Good Idea?

Pre-planning a funeral has many benefits such as explaining your wishes and reducing tension for friends and family during sensitive moments and reducing costs. It might ensure that no matter what happens with inflation, your family would never have to spend more for your burial. Learn more about funeral pre-planning.

Why Do You Think Support is Important for Grief?

The grieving process is normalized via support groups. People frequently believe they are going mad during periods of extreme loss, although it is OK to experience a wide range of emotions. Attending a support group can help normalize the grieving process and give people the impression that their difficult but normal experiences are normal. Learn more about grief support.