Can You Have a Funeral Service and Still Choose Cremation?

“We’d like cremation, but can we still have a funeral?”

It is an understandable question.

For some families, the word cremation sounds as though it describes the entire farewell. They may imagine that choosing cremation means there won’t be a funeral service, a chance to gather, music, photographs, a eulogy or all the other moments that can make saying goodbye meaningful.

But these are separate decisions.

Cremation is one choice about what happens after someone dies. It does not determine how their life can be remembered.

Families considering cremation in Wodonga, Myrtleford or the surrounding Albury-Wodonga region can still choose to hold a funeral, memorial or celebration of life that reflects the person they love.

Conway Funeral Home provides both cremation and burial funeral services and offers families different service formats depending on their wishes.

Cremation Doesn’t Mean There Can’t Be a Funeral

This is perhaps the most important distinction.

A family may choose cremation and still hold a traditional funeral service beforehand.

That service might take place in a funeral chapel, church or another appropriate venue. Family and friends can gather, listen to music, share readings and stories, deliver a eulogy and spend time remembering the person who has died.

The cremation takes place afterwards.

Conway Funeral Home describes one available format as a church or chapel service followed by a burial or cremation service. It also offers single-service funerals and memorial services following a private burial or cremation.

So choosing cremation doesn’t close the door on a funeral.

It simply becomes one part of the arrangements.

What About a More Relaxed Celebration of Life?

That is possible too.

Not every person would have wanted a particularly formal farewell.

Perhaps Dad would have preferred his favourite songs and plenty of stories.

Maybe Mum loved flowers, colour and having everybody together.

Perhaps the family wants photographs from throughout someone’s life rather than a very traditional service.

A cremation funeral can still contain all of those things.

The starting question doesn’t have to be:

“What are we supposed to do?”

It can be:

“What would feel right for them?”

Conway describes its approach as traditional funeral care with a contemporary outlook, tailoring services to the individual needs of families.

Can We Have the Cremation First and Gather Later?

Yes.

For some families, having the cremation privately and arranging a memorial service afterwards may suit their circumstances better.

There can be practical reasons for this.

Family may need to travel to Wodonga or Myrtleford from interstate.

Someone important may be overseas.

The family might want more time to organise a gathering.

Or perhaps a smaller, quieter farewell simply feels more appropriate.

Conway’s published service information specifically includes memorial services that take place after a private burial or cremation at a time determined by the family.

That flexibility can be valuable.

The farewell doesn’t necessarily have to fit into one particular format.

What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is different again.

It generally means the cremation takes place without a funeral service or attendance beforehand. Conway currently lists direct cremation amongst its funeral options.

Some families choose this because it reflects the person’s wishes or because they intend to hold a separate memorial or celebration later.

What matters is understanding that direct cremation and cremation with a funeral service are not the same thing.

If you are unsure which option suits your family, your funeral director can explain the differences before you decide.

Can We Still Make a Cremation Funeral Personal?

Absolutely.

Cremation doesn’t make a farewell less personal.

The personality comes from what happens around it.

Think about the things that immediately remind you of the person.

A particular song.

A collection of photographs.

Something they always wore.

Their garden.

Their football team.

Their sense of humour.

The places they loved.

The stories everybody knows.

Those details can help shape the service.

A funeral does not need to become elaborate to become meaningful.

Sometimes one familiar song can say more than twenty decorations ever could.

What Happens to the Ashes Afterwards?

This is another decision families don’t necessarily need to rush.

Conway advises that ashes are usually available within seven days following cremation, or as requested by the family.

What happens next can be considered separately.

Some families keep ashes in an urn.

Some choose a permanent memorial location.

Others may eventually scatter ashes somewhere meaningful, subject to the relevant permissions.

Families can also take time before deciding.

There is no need for every decision about memorialisation to be made on the day funeral arrangements begin.

Cremation Services in Wodonga and Myrtleford

Conway Funeral Home has locations at 20 South Street, Wodonga and 166 Myrtle Street, Myrtleford, and services families throughout the Albury-Wodonga border region.

For families considering cremation, the most useful first step is often simply to talk through the possibilities.

You might choose a funeral followed by cremation.

A single service.

A private cremation followed by a memorial.

Or something more individual.

Because the real decision isn’t:

“Funeral or cremation?”

For many families, it can be:

“We’re choosing cremation. Now, how would we like to say goodbye?”

And that opens up far more possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have a funeral service before cremation?

Yes. A funeral service can take place before cremation. Conway Funeral Home lists church or chapel services followed by cremation among the service formats available to families.

What is the difference between cremation and direct cremation?

Cremation can form part of a funeral involving a service and gathering. Direct cremation generally takes place without a funeral service or attendance beforehand.

Can you have a memorial after someone has been cremated?

Yes. A memorial service can be held following a private cremation, allowing families to gather at a later time.

Does choosing cremation mean we can’t personalise the funeral?

No. Music, photographs, readings, stories and personal tributes can still form part of a funeral where cremation has been chosen.

How soon are ashes available after cremation?

Conway Funeral Home states that ashes are usually available within seven days after cremation, or as requested by the family.

Does Conway Funeral Home provide cremation services in Wodonga?

Yes. Conway provides cremation and burial funeral services and has a funeral home in Wodonga.

Does Conway Funeral Home have a location in Myrtleford?

Yes. Conway Funeral Home’s Myrtleford location is at 166 Myrtle Street, Myrtleford.

Does Conway service the Albury-Wodonga region?

Yes. Conway states that it services the Albury/Wodonga border region.