Navigating Cremation Services Around the Holidays

January 27, 2020

Many families face loss at the holidays, be it a recent loss or an anniversary of a past death, even though the holidays are traditionally a time of being with loved ones and celebrating. Though losing a loved one around the holidays is tough, there are ways to make cremation services in Rock Falls, IL around the holidays meaningful, seasonal and respectful of the deceased and bereaved.  

Use these ideas for inspiration to make a holiday cremation or memorial service special: 

  1. Add Personal Touches – Make a holiday funeral or memorial service more meaningful and personal by adding personal touches. You can send everyone home with fresh baked holiday cookies, hang up festive decorations, sing seasonal songs, or take a moment to acknowledge the season.  
  2. Set Aside Time for Grief – The holidays are traditionally about celebration and happiness, so it’s important to set aside time for grief. Whether this grieving time is at the funeral home or memorial service, or if it is a more private or informal moment at home or with family, it’s a good idea to make it know that it’s OK to be sad and grieve even during the holidays. You can observe a moment of silence, share memories of the deceased, or just spend a few simple moments remembering.  
  3. Give Back – Giving back to your community is a great way to celebrate the season as well as turn your grief and loss into something positive. Grief can make you feel helpless, so doing community service or volunteering can bring back a feeling of control and positivity. There are tons of ways to volunteer around the holidays. Try caroling at a local retirement home, write notes to troops serving oversees, or host a toy drive for underprivileged kids.  
  4. Invite your community – Open the service to those from the community that knew the deceased or might want to offer support to the bereaved. Use various methods to promote the service and make it know that its open to the community. You can post on social media, post flyers or make calls. An open service fosters seasonal goodwill and allows everyone that was touched by the deceased to acknowledge their loss and pay their respects.  
  5. Continue the Spirit of the Season – Celebrating and remembering a lost loved one doesn’t have to end at the funeral home, even during the holidays. There are lots of ways bereaved can continue the spirit of the season and remembering the deceased at home, such as setting up a vase of the deceased’s favorite flowers, leaving an empty chair at the table, having a moment of silence before a meal, or putting up a special ornament on the tree.  

Want to learn more about dealing with loss or a Rock Falls, IL cremation service around the holidays? Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation is here to help. Please stop by and visit us at 702 1st Ave Sterling, IL 61081, or give us a call at (815) 626-1131 for more information on what we can do for you.  

funeral homes Amboy, IL
September 15, 2025
Guiding families enriching burial services with personal touches photos, tributes, music, creating meaningful, authentic ceremonies at funeral homes Amboy, IL.
cremation services Morrison, IL
September 8, 2025
Compassionate cremation services Morrison, IL. We help families create meaningful gatherings that honor life with dignity, warmth, and personalized remembrance.
funeral homes Morrison, IL
September 1, 2025
We blend comforting and personalized tributes with compassionate support, helping families honor loved ones with dignity at funeral homes Morrison, IL.
cremation services Fulton, IL
August 25, 2025
Supportive cremation services Fulton, IL families trust to honor final wishes with compassion, clarity, and a meaningful tribute. Begin planning today.
funeral homes Fulton, IL
August 18, 2025
Honor your loved one with meaningful services from funeral homes Fulton, IL. Offering heartfelt, personalized care and guidance.
cremation services Amboy, IL
August 11, 2025
Honor a life of simplicity with Schilling Funeral Home’s meaningful cremation services Amboy, IL. Gentle guidance and personal tributes for every unique story.
funeral homes Amboy, IL
August 4, 2025
Plan a heartfelt memorial with support from funeral homes Amboy, IL. Honor your loved one’s legacy with guidance from Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation.
cremation services Morrison, IL
July 28, 2025
Find comfort and flexible memorial options through cremation services Morrison, IL families trust. Honor your loved one with dignity and care.
funeral homes Morrison, IL
July 21, 2025
Recognize service and sacrifice with military honors. Funeral homes Morrison, IL offers respectful tributes tailored to veterans and their families.
cremation services Fulton, IL
July 14, 2025
Create a meaningful farewell with cremation services Fulton, IL families trust to respect faith and nature. Get support in planning an aligned service today.