Cremation Services
in Rocky Mount, NC
Overview of Cremation Services
The number of people choosing cremation has increased significantly in the past few years, yet cremation carries a long tradition and remains largely unchanged. What is done before or after the cremation is up to the survivors, or up to you.
Contrary to what some people believe, Cremation does not limit choices, but, in fact, increases one’s options. It is a process which is performed in a respectful and dignified manner and can be memorialized in many ways. When you choose cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC with Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Service, you can rest easy knowing you’ll receive experienced, compassionate care.
Plan your Tribute
Choosing cremation neither eliminates nor does it require a funeral service. Traditional or contemporary services are often planned before or after the cremation process. A funeral service followed by cremation may be similar to a funeral service followed by ground burial. They can be elaborate or simple and traditional or nontraditional.
Here are some common examples of cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC chosen most often by the family’s we serve. These services can be held over multiple days or can be accomplished on the same day if desired. We can tailor any of these options to meet your individual needs.
- Traditional viewing or visitation hours (with body present), followed by cremation
- Cremation followed by memorial visitation (without body) at the funeral home
- Cremation followed by a memorial service or life celebration at your church, our chapel or reception center.
- Private family goodbye, followed by cremation
- Cremation followed by burial or interment of cremains
- Simple cremation with no ceremony
What to Do With the Cremated Remains
Cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC allow families many choices for memorializing a loved one. Some families choose to keep the cremated remains with them at home, inter them in a cemetery, or to scatter the remains over land or water.
Our staff can assist you with the following memorialization options, among others, for cremated remains:
- Outdoor Niches – The cremated remains may be safely held in an above ground columbarium niches. They are typically located within a mausoleum or chapel.
- Urn Garden – Many cemeteries have areas designated specifically for the interment of cremated remains.
- Family Plot – If you already own a burial plot or have space in a family plot, you may choose to inter the urn there.
- Scattering – Your loved one’s remains may be scattered in a meaningful location that can be appreciated by future generations.
There are also certain services which offer scattering among the sea or the stars. - Traditional Burial – In ground burial on a family plot or in special cremation areas of the cemetery.
- Personalized Memorialization – Inscribe your family member’s name and a special saying on a tree plaque, park bench or other special memorial. We also have custom, unique urns and keepsakes, perfect for displaying inside your home.
Personalizing Your Experience Memorable Tribute Services
Our expert staff is here to help you plan a truly memorable Celebration of Life for your loved one. Whether you are planning a burial or cremation, we encourage you to consider our Tribute Services. These offerings will forever personalize your cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC.
Memory Tables and Memory Collages
Remember your loved one with a memory table display. You can include significant items from your loved one’s life, including a bicycle, golf clubs, gardening tools, hunting and fishing gear, a musical instrument, a motorcycle helmet or jacket, knitting or sewing equipment…the possibilities are endless. Display special photos, certificates, achievement awards and other significant items in a customized memory collage.
Life Tribute Memorial Videos
There is no better way to remember your loved one than with a special personalized tribute. Our Life Tribute video program incorporates your family’s pictures with music into a presentation that can be played at the visitation, during the service or at the conclusion of the service. You can post the video online for family and friends around the world to see and share with generations to come.
Personalized Music
You are not limited to traditional funeral music during your loved one’s service. Customize the visitation or event following the cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC with your loved one’s favorite tunes. We are happy to help your family compile special music selections to play during the services from a CD or iPod. We also have an organ available in our chapel for traditional music.
Certified Celebrant
A Celebrant is a professional who is trained and certified to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. This expert can help your family create a personalized tribute service to celebrate your loved one’s unique life. You may choose to use a Celebrant alone or in conjunction with clergy. If you want an uplifting service that pays tribute to your loved one’s life or if you are not affiliated with a church, a Celebrant service may be the perfect option.
Bagpiper
The bagpipe provides a solemn, powerful song, making it the ideal instrument for funerals and memorials. For hundreds of years, people far and wide have bid farewell to their dearly departed with the music of the pipes. We can help you commemorate a loved one with this noble music tribute.
Pallbearers
Friends, relatives, church members or business associates may serve as pallbearers. If the family would prefer, we can provide some or all pallbearers for your loved one’s service. Each pallbearer will wear a special Lily or flag pin, making them easily identifiable.
Military Honors
We can help you honor your military member with a flag ceremony, color guard, trumpeter or even a final gun salute. We work with all branches of the military and can make all the proper arrangements easily and efficiently.
Wildflower Keepsakes
We can distribute pouches of wildflower seeds during or after the cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC. Because wildflowers are perpetual, they can provide an ongoing tribute to your loved one’s life. Guests can choose to plant their wildflower seeds in a garden, planter, meadow or any other special location.
Receptions
We can coordinate and arrange an off-site reception at any venue of your choosing. Whether it be a restaurant, banquet center or golf club, this gives your family and friends an opportunity to gather and reminisce after your loved one’s cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC.
Choosing a Cemetery
A green burial can take place in nearly any cemetery that allows eco-friendly methods of burial. With our cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC, our firm offers several options that can help you ensure that your final resting place is both environmentally-friendly and honorable. Typically, cemeteries offering green burials follow these guidelines:
- Offer exclusive green burial sections
- Prohibit the use of grave liners or burial vaults
- Dig graves by hand rather than using heavy equipment
- Often plant trees or shrubs in lieu of headstones
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cremation, and how does it work?
Cremation is a respectful process that reduces the body to its basic elements through heat. At Wheeler & Woodlief, we perform cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC on-site in our privately owned crematory, so your loved one never leaves our care. The ashes, known as cremated remains, are then returned to the family in an urn or container of your choice.
Can we still have a funeral if we choose cremation?
Yes. Cremation offers flexibility and does not limit your options. You may choose a traditional viewing and funeral service before cremation or a memorial or celebration of life after. With any cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC, we can help you design the service that fits your family’s preferences, beliefs, and budget.
What can we do with the cremated remains?
Families have many choices. You may keep the urn at home, place it in a columbarium niche, bury it in a cemetery, or scatter the ashes in a meaningful location. With a cremation service in Rocky Mount, NC, we also offer personalized urns, burials, and green burials as options to our clients.
Is cremation more affordable than traditional burial?
Generally, cremation is more cost-effective, especially if you choose a simple or direct cremation. However, if you choose additional services like a full viewing or memorial, the cost may be comparable to burial. We offer transparent pricing and will help you find an option that fits your needs.
How do I know my loved one will be treated with dignity?
We understand how important trust is. Because we operate our own crematory, we maintain complete control of the process, ensuring your loved one is cared for with the utmost respect, professionalism, and accountability. When you’re ready to book cremation services in Rocky Mount, NC, contact our team today.
From the moment we contacted Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Services, we were met with compassion, professionalism, and a level of care that brought us tremendous peace during a difficult time. Every detail was handled with grace and dignity, and their team ensured our loved one was honored in the most respectful way possible. Our pastor, who has officiated many services over the years, shared that this was the most kind, professional, and organized service he had ever been a part of—and we couldn't agree more. From the quiet support behind the scenes to the seamless coordination of every aspect of the ceremony, their attention to detail was unmatched. We are deeply grateful to the entire staff at Wheeler and Woodlief. They made a painful experience easier with their warmth, guidance, and dedication. Thank you for helping us celebrate a life well-lived with such honor and love.