Planning a funeral with Goose Creek, SC funeral homes gives you the support you need to create a personalized and unique memorial service. But at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, we believe the core of a great service comes not from our facilities but from the personal touch added by those who knew the deceased best. Here are five areas where you can add a personal touch that lets people know how much your loved one meant to everyone in attendance. 

The Grand Arrival 

How many times have you been stuck behind a long funeral procession of cars? Not great for your commute, but a great representation of how many people loved someone. The lead of the procession is usually the hearse, and we have a selection of excellent vehicles ideal for the job. However, we’re also open to whatever vehicles you want involved - many people choose horse-drawn carriages for the lead vehicle for an old-school touch, and processions of electric cars or motorcycles are also common. 

The Memory Wall 

A memory wall is one of the first things someone sees when they walk into a memorial ceremony - a bulletin board covered with pictures, notes, and stories posted by the family and guests. As it builds before and during the service, it becomes a living testament to how many people the deceased touched. This can be coupled with a digital guestbook that lets those who can’t attend the funeral in person contribute. 

The Post-Service Reception Meal 

Are you planning to incorporate a meal into your reception, through catering, home-made food, or a potluck concept? Many people use the meal to show the tastes and passions of their loved one, hiring a favorite restaurant to cater or serving their favorite foods. A meal is a collective experience, and anything from a formal dinner to a reception table of snacks and pastries can add to the atmosphere and get people talking. 

Gravesite Inscriptions 

If you’re choosing earth burial as part of the funeral and memorial, you’ll pick a marker or headstone from our extensive collection. This marker will be inscribed with the name, date of birth and death, and any relevant information you want included. This gives you the opportunity to share with the world what you consider most important - including family connections, profession or organization membership, or any detail that stands out. 

Memorial Scatterings 

If you choose cremation services as an alternative to burial, many of our clients opt to take the urn back home with them to hold a private ceremony. This can include scattering the ashes at a meaningful location like a lake, park, or favorite attraction of the deceased. As cremation ashes are sterile and safe, they can be scattered in any public location. Check with owners if you’re interested in scattering ashes at a private attraction. 

Creating a personalized memorial service with unique accents begins with the help of qualified Goose Creek, SC funeral homes. Contact McAlister-Smith Funeral & Crematory for more information or to set up a consultation today.