Pre-Planning
Many of life’s important events require some degree of planning and consideration: a wedding, children, retirement. These events usually impact not just the individual but his or her family members as well, and we find comfort in including those we love in major life decisions. End-of-life and funeral planning should be no different. You want to be sure that all of the details are taken care of, so that your family can take comfort in knowing that your wishes were expressed and realized.
We can help make planning for end-of-life and funeral services easy. To learn more click here.
Transferring Pre-Arrangements
Our funeral home honors pre-arrangement contracts filed with other funeral homes. If you’d like to transfer your pre-arranged services to our funeral home, simply contact us to set an appointment.
Our Services
We Are Here For You
Burial Services
At Memorial Services of Iowa, you are not alone. We strive to ensure all your wishes are carried out to the fullest and do everything we can to make these difficult decisions as easy as possible.
If your family’s personal preference is burial, there are many options for designing a personalized ceremony to remember your loved one. Below are just a few options you have.
Viewing or Visitation
A public viewing or visitation provides an opportunity for the family of the deceased and his or her friends, relatives, and colleagues to come together. It is often an informal gathering, without a formal ceremony. A visitation is often held at the funeral home but can take place in a church or other location with the body present. Friends and colleagues can pay their final respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the family. A viewing or visitation can also be private and limited to the deceased’s immediate family.
Funeral Service
A funeral service is a formal gathering at the funeral home or another location. One or several individuals who knew the deceased may speak at the funeral, whereas other families choose to have a favorite clergyperson or non-religious celebrant speak.
Graveside Service
A graveside service occurs at the place of committal. Often, a graveside service occurs directly after a funeral ceremony, but it can also be the only service held. Much like a funeral ceremony, a family member or other person may offer a few remarks.
Cremation Services
Many families today are choosing cremation. If cremation is your preference, you may be surprised to learn that the opportunities for creating a unique tribute are just as numerous as they are with burial ceremonies. Cremation can take place after the visitation if the family wishes to have a viewing, prior to the visitation or after the funeral service.
Viewing or Visitation
It is often an informal gathering, without a formal ceremony. A public viewing or visitation provides an opportunity for the family of the deceased and his or her friends, relatives, and colleagues to come together. A visitation is often held at the funeral home, but can take place in a church or other location with the body present. Friends and colleagues can pay their final respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the family. A viewing or visitation can also be private and limited to the deceased’s immediate family.
Funeral Service
A funeral service is a formal gathering at the funeral home or another location. One or several individuals who knew the deceased may speak at the funeral, whereas other families choose to have a favorite clergyperson or non-religious celebrant speak.
Committal Service
After cremation has taken place, families may choose to bury the urn or place it in another permanent resting place such as a columbarium. A committal service can accompany the placement of cremated remains in a final resting place, and like a funeral service can include remarks offered by a clergyperson or other individual.
Memorial Service
A memorial service is similar to a funeral service, except the body is not present. Many families choose to have the cremated remains in a decorative urn present or display a photo of the deceased. A memorial service can take place shortly after cremation occurs, or can take place at a later date.
Regardless of the services you choose, you have many options for personalizing the service and ensuring that it truly reflects the unique life of your loved one.
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A Great Meeting Space
Our chapel also serves as a large, elegant area for a luncheon. With seating for up to 90 people, you and your guests will be comfortable, and have catered food and beverages customized to fit your specific wishes. A two-sided buffet outside the luncheon area works very well for serving meals desserts, and refreshments.