HONORING THE MEMORY. CELEBRATING THE LIFE.

It’s one of the most personal and meaningful decisions anyone can make — how to memorialize a loved one. Elements Cremation understands that each choice is as unique as the individual it honors whether deeply grounded in culture or religion, more contemporary or less formal in tone, or a true celebration of a life well live limited only by the imagination.

Here, we offer a number of examples of how our expertise has helped families and individuals find the approach that fits them best. These are just a few examples of the many options we offer for tributes, celebrations, and memorials. We would be pleased to work together with you to honor your loved one in the most meaningful way.

Celebrating her passion
Set to music
An enduring tribute
Finding comfort
in tradition
Focused on
the family
Her favorite
things
Honoring
distinguished service

An Event as Unique as the Life It Celebrates

The niece began with stories of her aunt’s passion for flowers and jewelry as she explained the family’s desire to hold a memorial event as vibrant as the beloved aunt’s personality. Requiring a large venue to accommodate the many friends and colleagues who wouldattend, the family chose Chicago’s landmark Garfield Park Conservatory. The lush foliage and exotic blossoms proved the perfect setting for celebrating a unique life and creating a treasured memory for all.

How we made it happen

Researched multiple venues and presented options to the family, including facility features, cost, parking, accessibility, and timing
Researched and offered ideas and options for catering, including food and beverage choices, and service staff
Coordinated all event details—catering, beverage service, linens, tables, seating, service, and timing
Designed the invitation to family and friends
Planned the schedule of events to meet the family’s needs and wishes
Provided onsite coordination before, during, and after the event to give the family complete freedom to greet and interact with their guests

Hitting the Perfect Note

Without missing a beat, the family of a globetrotting jazz musician decided to celebrate his life the way he had lived it—to music. They chose The Green Mill, a legendary Chicago jazz club, where fellow musicians from across the country gathered to share their talents in loving memory. Spirited yet respectful, it was the perfect tone for honoring this much-loved jazzman.

How we made it happen

Worked closely with the family to explore venue options, dates, timing, and cost considerations
Served as liaison with the jazz club on details such as number of guests, music and performance details, and guest needs including beverage service, seating, special accommodations, and other amenities

Sharing Her Enjoyment with Others

Because she spent so much of her time visiting nearby Lincoln Park Zoo, her family chose that much-loved Chicago institution as the recipient of a gift honoring their loved one’s memory. Their philanthropy resulted in the dedication of a bench within the zoo, which would perpetuate indefinitely the memory of their beloved daughter and sister.

How we made it happen

Researched and presented examples of different types of philanthropic support of Lincoln Park Zoo – from simple monetary donation to sponsorship of a specific animal to the ultimate choice to donate a park bench
Coordinate and communicated with the zoo regarding type of bench, cost, installation, and wording for the plaque
Coordinated the presentation of the donation by the family to the zoo

Observing Custom and Keeping Family Traditions

The family had agreed that cremation was the right choice for their loved one, but felt strongly about having a traditional visitation with an open casket to allow family and friends to pay their respects. Following the visitation and mass at the church, family and guests gathered for a memorial luncheon at a local restaurant. Once cremation was completed, the cremains were returned for a cemetery burial.

How we made it happen

Completed all appropriate preparations—embalming, attire, and grooming—of the decedent for the open casket visitation
Assisted family in choosing the visitation location and selecting a viewing casket; provided mass cards and a registry book and arranged for clergy to be present
Coordinated arrangements for the mass—celebrants, musicians, and other details
Provided a range of options for luncheon locations, including sample menus and beverage choices
Worked closely with the restaurant to make the event worry-free for the family
Managed all details of the cremation and the return of the cremains to the family
Coordinated the burial with the cemetery and secured all necessary permits

Loving Support Among Family and Friends

For her husband of more than 50 years, the wife asked for a simple, religious ceremony and burial at the small cemetery where other family members had been interred. Most of all, she wanted to spend as much time as possible with family and friends after the burial and felt a banquet hall was too impersonal. A niece offered her home where everyone gathered over lunch and spent a comfortable and intimate afternoon together.

How we made it happen

Identified and offered numerous choices—both traditional and non-traditional—for a post-burial luncheon and family gathering
Explored creative ways to personalize the event and give family and friends more comfort and time together
Coordinated details of the cemetery service, including the pastor’s participation, driving directions and parking, travel assistance for those without other means, and overall timing of the services

Toasting a Life Lived with Gusto and Grace

He enjoyed a full and rewarding career as a Chicago restaurateur and a contributor to the city’s culinary reputation The family knew their father would have ordered up nothing less than a large-scale celebration where friends and family could memorialize him by enjoying what he enjoyed most—sharing and savoring distinctive food and drink in one of his popular dining establishments.

How we made it happen

Provided complete cremation services according to the decedent’s wishes
Worked closely with the family in coordinating timing and guest services at the celebration of life event at the restaurant, which was closed to the general public for the evening
Coordinated all aspects of guest arrival at the establishment, including security, valet parking, and controlled access to the venue
Provided onsite personnel to ensure the smooth handling of guest services

Memorializing an American Hero

As a member of the legendary Tuskegee airmen, he had distinguished himself as a pilot and served his country with honor. As a fitting tribute to his bravery and service, his wife wanted to scatter his cremains at Moton Field, the squadron’s home base in Tuskegee, Alabama. As part of the dedication of Moton Field as a National Historical Landmark, the airman’s cremains were scattered from a vintage P51 aircraft that had been flown by the Redtails during WWII.

How we made it happen

Assisted with arrangements involving the federal government, Tuskegee Airmen Historical Society, and Moton Field to meet requirements for scattering cremains of a Tuskegee Airman on the property
Obtained all required permits
Communicated closely with the family to ensure they understood and were comfortable with all arrangements
Provided all necessary documentation prior to scattering and ensured proper delivery of the cremains at the appropriate time and place