What Is the Difference?

The primary difference is not whether the person is cremated.

In each case, cremation is the final method of disposition.

The difference is the type of service the family chooses before or after the cremation.

Understanding those choices can help families determine which arrangement feels right for them.

Review our complete cremation services in Ocean County, NJ to see the full range of arrangements available through DeGraff.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is generally chosen when a family does not want a formal viewing, visitation or funeral service before cremation.

After the cremation, the family may choose to keep the cremated remains, arrange for burial or scattering, or hold a memorial service or celebration of life.

Direct cremation is often chosen by families who prefer a simple arrangement.

Cremation With a Viewing or Funeral

Families who want a more traditional experience may have a viewing, visitation, funeral or religious service before cremation.

Family members and friends have an opportunity to gather and say goodbye, and the cremation takes place after the services have concluded.

Choosing cremation does not mean giving up these traditional funeral options.

Cremation Followed by a Memorial Service

Some families prefer to have the cremation take place first and hold a memorial service afterward.

This can provide greater flexibility in choosing the date, location and type of gathering.

A memorial service may be traditional or personalized to reflect the interests, beliefs and life of the person being remembered.

Which Cremation Option Is Right for Our Family?

There is no single cremation arrangement that is right for every family.

You may prefer:

  • Simple direct cremation
  • A viewing followed by cremation
  • A traditional funeral followed by cremation
  • A religious service followed by cremation
  • Cremation followed by a memorial service
  • Cremation followed by a celebration of life
  • Burial or scattering of the cremated remains

DeGraff can explain the available choices and help your family decide which arrangement best reflects your wishes.

You Do Not Have to Choose Between a Cremation Service and a Funeral Home

DeGraff Cremation Service provides the simplicity of direct cremation while also offering the additional services available through DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home.

Families can choose simple direct cremation or include a viewing, visitation, funeral, church service or memorial.

This gives families the flexibility to choose the amount and type of service that is right for them.

For current pricing and details about DeGraff’s available cremation arrangements:

View Current Cremation Pricing

DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home Inc.
119 Union Ave.
Lakehurst, NJ  08733

Sherry DeGraff, Manager N.J. Lic. No. 3921
Donald DeGraff, Director N.J. Lic. No. 4576
Patricia DeGraff, Director N.J. Lic No. 4442

732-657-7868