<p>Funeral services are still very popular today and happen in about half of the cases. But they aren&rsquo;t the only option and it&rsquo;s good to know the alternatives.<br /><br /> If you have to take care of a loved one&rsquo;s final services, <a href="/hidden-pages/memorializing-suffolk-va">funeral homes in Suffolk, VA</a> are there to help. In the past, most funeral homes provided funeral services and that was about the only option. But over the years, cremation has become a lot more popular and today, it is also provided by most funeral homes. There are things you can do besides a funeral service that are honorable, cost-effective, and might suit your loved one better. Here are a few options to consider. <br /><br /> <strong>Cremation Services</strong><br /> Cremation services are the most popular alternative to a funeral service. You can have cremation done right away, which is called direct cremation, and then, you can have whatever kind of service you want afterwards, if any. You can also have a funeral first and follow it up with a cremation, which is called full cremation. <a href="/services/cremation-services">Cremation</a> allows you a lot more freedom in the timeline of services as well as in the final resting place. <br /><br /> <strong>Ash Scatterings</strong><br /> If you do go with cremation, you can have an ash scattering service as the final service. Many families like to have just close family and friends at an ash scattering. You can gather at the right location, say a few words, share some memories, support one another, and scatter your loved one&rsquo;s ashes. You can then visit that location in the future when you want to think about them. <br /><br /> <strong>Burial Services</strong><br /> Funerals always end with a burial service, but you don&rsquo;t have to have a funeral in order to have a burial service. You could go to direct burial and that can be touching as well. Family gathers around the grave for the shorter burial service instead of having a full funeral first. You can also have a burial service after cremation, if you choose. You can bury cremated remains in the cemetery or in other locations, like a family garden. <br /><br /> <strong>Memorials</strong><br /> You don&rsquo;t have to have a service of any kind, if you feel your loved one wouldn&rsquo;t want one and your family doesn&rsquo;t need one. Instead, you might dedicate the money you would have used for a service to a permanent memorial. You might buy a bench for a local park and place your loved one&rsquo;s name on it, plant a tree in your yard, start a memorial scholarship fund, or any number of other things to help everyone remember them in a nice way. <br /><br /> <strong>Simple Family Gatherings </strong><br /> Services don&rsquo;t have to be large and formal, by any means. You can have a simple family meal in someone&rsquo;s home or in the private room of a restaurant to share memories and support one another through this hard loss. <br /><br /> If you are thinking about what you want to do for a loved one who has passed on, funerals are great, but there are plenty of alternatives to consider as we. The <a href="/about/our-staff">professionals</a> in the funeral homes in Suffolk, VA can go over those options with you until you figure out what would be best for your loved one and the rest of your family.</p>