After a loved one has passed, been cremated, and been honored with a funeral, one of the next things on your to-do list might be to scatter the cremated remains. It's important to know, however, that you don't need to be in a rush to do so. Perhaps it's winter and you'd rather scatter the remains during a summer day, or maybe you and your family simply aren't settled on where you'll scatter the remains. You might also be struggling with the finality of the situation and have trouble getting rid of the remains. If you wish to keep them around for a while, here are things that you might wish to do.

Have A Meal

Even though your loved one has passed away, holding the urn of his or her cremated remains somehow feels as though the person is there with you. One way to honor his or her memory is to have a meal and keep the urn present. At home, you might wish to cook the person's favorite meal for your family and have the urn on a table in the dining room. Another idea is to pack up a picnic and take the urn with you as you head to a local park or beach. You may even wish to visit the deceased person's favorite restaurant—just be sure to keep the urn discreetly in your purse or backpack.

Go On A Trip

If your fondest memories of your deceased loved one include traveling, there's no reason that you can't plan a trip with your family and the urn. Doing so might seem a little strange to some people, but it can be highly cathartic to others. Think of a location that your loved one might have enjoyed, or simply choose a new destination if the person was always up for variety. Place the urn securely in your suitcase and hit the road as a family—and you may wish to share some fun vacation stories involving your late loved one as you travel.

Have A Conversation

For some people, having their loved one's cremated remains in the house can make it feel as though the person is still living. Scattering the remains may be the end goal, but this process can make you feel a little lonely. Don't be afraid to converse with the remains while they're in your home. Place the urn in your kitchen and talk to it while you're preparing a meal; this approach might be helpful if you commonly called the person while you were cooking. Even if your conversation is one-sided, you may find solace in this idea.

For more information or ideas, talk to a company like American Cremation Society.

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