Gathering at the Time of Cremation 

For some people, the immediacy of burial can bring comfort. Your loved one’s body is present at the funeral, and you follow the hearse to the grave site. You witness the casket being lowered into the earth and may feel a sense of closure, being there for every moment of their last goodbye.


By comparison, cremation can feel colder or more distant. If your loved one’s body is taken soon after death and ashes returned a few weeks later, it can feel like something has been left hollow or unfinished. But cremation can be as intimate as a traditional funeral with burial, and there are alternatives that can allow more time to gather and say goodbye along the way.

Soft-focused butterflies resting among delicate wildflowers, symbolizing peace, remembrance, and the gentle gathering of loved ones at the time of cremation.

Traditional Funeral with Cremation

Direct cremation is what people often think of when considering cremation for a loved one, but it’s not the only option. Cremation is only the body’s final disposition. If you wish to have a religious or secular funeral first with the body present, you can always choose a traditional funeral prior to the cremation.


The body can be embalmed, or not, and you can rent or purchase a casket for the event. We will work with your budget, preferences, and individual circumstances to craft a funeral that best suits your needs and your loved one’s unique life. After the funeral, there can be a procession to the crematorium the same as the procession to the cemetery for a burial.

Cremation with a Viewing

Prior to cremation, you may gather for a private viewing with close friends and family, or hold a public viewing so that neighbors and friends in the community can gather to pay their respects. A viewing or wake provides a less structured way to say goodbye to a loved one and lend support and care to a grieving family.


A viewing can be held prior to a funeral or in its place. If you wish to have a private viewing followed by a cremation and public memorial service, that’s okay. If you want a simple, intimate gathering and personalized ash scattering service, that’s okay, too. What matters is that you and your loved ones have a chance to say goodbye in a way that promotes healing, no matter the form it takes.

Witness Cremation

Some families wonder if it’s possible to be present at the time of cremation. Unlike a viewing, which occurs prior to cremation and usually takes place in a funeral home chapel or a place of worship, witnessing cremation means gathering at the crematorium itself.


We provide private, intimate rooms for small gatherings. There is an observation area that allows you to safely view as your loved one’s body is placed in the cremation chamber. You may also push the button that activates the heating element, beginning the cremation process.


During witness cremation, you will not view your loved one’s body actually undergoing cremation. But you will be present for their final goodbye, and many families find that this brings great peace. Being present for cremation or even participating in it is a cultural and religious act for some groups, but anyone is welcome to request a witness cremation in addition to a funeral, or in the place of one.

We're Here for You

At Horan & McConaty, we understand there are many paths through loss and grief, and no two people will face loss the same way. Death is as personal as life, and your loved one deserves to be honored in a way that best suits their memory as well as your family’s preferences, budget, culture, and needs. Every service we offer is personalized to the person receiving it, and we will do what it takes to create a unique gathering that can bring your community together in grief and celebration of a beautiful life.


To arrange personalized cremation services with Horan & McConaty, visit any of our Denver area funeral homes, or call us any time at (303) 745-4418 for immediate support.