Blog – Lumen Cremation

Parting Stones – A New Form for Cremated Remains

Wed, 18 May 2022 22:33:00 GMT

Most cremation families feel their options are more limited than burial. But in reality, there are more choices with cremation.

For example, there are many more type of final disposition for cremation families, from scattering, to in-ground or niche placement, or keeping the urn at home.

And now, there are solidified remains, from Parting Stone.

Lumen Cremation is proud to partner with Parting Stone –a Santa Fe, New Mexico-based start-up pioneering a technology that offers a clean alternative to cremated remains following cremation. Middle Tennessee families can now choose to receive stone-like solidified remains that can be touched, held, and shared.

The solidification process returns the full amount of cremation remains in a solid and clean form that resembles a collection of polished stones. The average person results in about 40-60 solids ranging in size from thumb-nail up to palm-size. The color of each person’s solidified remains is 100% natural and many result in white stones, but some are a hue of blue, green, or another radical variation.

“It is a profound opportunity to live with the remains of our loved ones, but conventional cremated remains make that experience uncomfortable,” says Parting Stone founder and CEO Justin Crowe. “We developed an alternative to conventional cremated remains to help families feel a meaningful connection with their departed. When you choose cremation you no longer have to take home ashes.”

Following the death of his grandfather, Justin Crowe realized that living with conventional cremated remains can feel uncomfortable, so in many households they often end up hidden in a closet for decades. Parting Stone worked with material scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop solidified remains to empower families in their grief with a form of remains that can be touched and held.

At Lumen Cremation, we’ve had families choose Parting Stone as a convenient way to take remains for scattering to a favorite vacation spot, or as a minimalist keepsake. Stop by our office today or read more on our website.

New York Times Feature on Lumen Cremation

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:40:00 GMT

Did you catch us in the news?

Lumen Cremation was recently featured in a New York Times article, Cremation Borrows a Page From the Direct-to-Consumer Playbook . See how Lumen is listed among other cremation innovators in the excerpt below.

Author Michael Waters sums up the trends we’ve seen at Lumen Cremation for years. Nashville families are choosing Lumen Cremation for a simple cremation at an affordable price, planned online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Let us know what you think of the article.

Read the Full Article Here

Advance Directives: What You Need to Know

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:23:00 GMT

When a doctor decides that a patient no longer has the capacity to make decisions on their own, an Advanced Health Directive allows them to identify a Durable Power of Attorney to make all health care and death decisions. Here at Lumen Cremation , we hear from many Nashville families who find themselves in unexpected situations – and who are extremely grateful that their loved one created an advance directive.

By creating an advance directive, you can consider and plan for the unthinkable ahead of time, so that your wishes are known. This makes it easier for your healthcare providers to determine the best course of action that abides by your desires and removes the pressure from your loved ones to make those decisions.

Advance directives refer to legal documents that address situations related to your medical decisions, should you ever become incapacitated.

The goal is to alert your health care team on what you want, along with other directives, such as whether you want to be resuscitated, or whether you want to donate your organs in case of death.

An advance directive gives you the chance to think these things through with a clear mind and make necessary decisions in accordance with your beliefs, values, personal preferences, and medical history.

Components of an Advance Directive

A legally binding advance directive is typically comprised of at least two parts. However, there are additional components you can add, and how you choose to combine them is up to you and the laws of your state.

Healthcare Proxy

This directive names the person you choose to give durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPAHC) , otherwise known as your healthcare proxy. This person can be anyone you trust to make decisions for you if you’re unable to advocate or decide for yourself.

This personal should be aware of all previous medical history, as well as your personal preferences and beliefs. They can decide whether to provide life support treatments, refuse or approve medical procedures, medications, medical tests, pain management devices, and more.

They can also apply for insurance in your stead. Essentially, they speak for you in every aspect of your medical care and can even choose whether to move you to an assisted living facility or choose where to seek treatment. It’s important that your healthcare proxy be someone you trust implicitly.

Living Will

A living will dictates your healthcare wishes regarding the extent and types of medical treatments you want or don’t want, or want to limit. Tube feedings, medications, surgeries, and IV fluids typically fall under this document.

Medical Directive

This directive often includes points about life support treatments, such as use of a ventilator, IV or tube feeding, surgeries, pain medications, blood transfusions, dialysis, and more.

These clauses are especially important if you’re in a vegetative state, fall into a coma, or you suffer from a progressive or terminal illness that makes you unlikely to be able to make such decisions in the future.

DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order

This document address whether you want life-saving measures––like CPR––used if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. This could be a separate document or a part of your Living Will or Medical Directive.

History of Values

This document is a series of questions that outlines your personal views and beliefs on topics related to life and death, so that your proxy and providers can make decisions they know will honor those values.

Advance directives are important to help keep you in control of your own medical care. They are written and signed by you and may require up to two witnesses. They leave no ambiguity in expressing what you want.

Keep in mind that advance directives apply only to your healthcare decisions. They have no bearing on financial or inheritance matters. It’s also important to note different states and countries have different advance directive laws. Discuss these things with your healthcare provider before you make any decisions and update your directives on a regular basis.

If you have questions, you’re welcome to contact us and our Lumen Cremation Care Team will assist you. Call us at (615) 235-5074 or email care@lumencremation.com anytime.

Next of Kin Guide

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:18:00 GMT

When a death has occurred, or a death is expected soon, you might be asked by a doctor, facility, or cremation provider, “Who is the ‘next of kin’?” Lumen Cremation has all of the information you need – and is always available to answer questions that come up along the way. As a locally-owned and operated cremation provider serving Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee families, our cremation care team believes every family needs to be informed in order to make the best end-of-life decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

That’s the order that would be followed by the hospital to make legal decisions for your medical care, as well as decisions after your death that are related to your bodily remains, unless you’ve created an advance directive to say otherwise.

You could also use an advance directive to name someone specific to be your healthcare proxy who isn’t necessarily family. However, it should clearly state that person also has the legal right to decide what to do with your remains in the event of your death, or they would only have influence over your medical care. Download a free Advance Care Directive available on our website to start the process for yourself.

How is Your Next of Kin Identified?

If you are conscious and able to make your own decisions, you can identify any person of your choice as your next of kin , even a close friend.

However, if you are unconscious due to a medical emergency, or after death, your next of kin is identified by the hospital and your team of healthcare providers. In that case, the hospital will do what it can to track down surviving relatives and identify your next of kin based on who they are able to find.

What are the Responsibilities of Your Next of Kin?

This can depend. If you are hospitalized, your next of kin may be kept informed of your health status.

Although your next of kin cannot make decisions on your behalf without your written consent when you can make those decisions yourself, they can still be kept in the loop and informed of your progress with your permission.

Upon death, your next of kin is informed so they can make funeral and burial arrangements and receive any medical documents related to your care. In some cases, your next of kin may be consulted on matters of organ and tissue donation.

If you do not have an advance directive with a named healthcare proxy, it could also fall on your next of kin to make any medical decisions about your care and treatment, including life support measures and what happens to your remains if you don’t survive.

Determining next of kin can be a highly emotional and difficult time if it’s left up to the hospital and healthcare team. Your loved ones may not agree with who is given the power to make those decisions.

That’s why having an advance directive is so important, so that you can decide what happens when you’re incapacitated, you can decide how you want your remains handled in the event of your death, and ultimately––your loved ones won’t have to. Your wishes will be respected, both in life and in death.

If you have any questions, please contact us here at Lumen, and one of our dedicated staff members will follow up with you promptly. You can reach us by calling (615) 235-5074 or emailing care@lumencremation.com .

Everything You Need to Know About Spreading Cremated Remains

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:36:00 GMT

While our Manager and Acting Funeral Director Tiffany Widener along with the rest of our care team here at Lumen Cremation in Nashville have extensive knowledge about cremation, we realize this is not the norm. In fact, most families we talk to in Bellevue, Brentwood, Franklin, Madison, Donelson, and the surrounding communities, and beyond know very little about various end-of-life options – and usually have a lot of questions.

We’re here to give you all the information you need with compassion and understanding. We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one and want you to know you have our support. As you read these questions and answers, remember we are here to help you every step of the way, as you make decisions for yourself or on behalf of someone you love.

Q.) Can I scatter remains in the sea?
A.) U.S. maritime rules require that you must be at least three nautical miles away from the shore and that any materials that are used are biodegradable.

Q.) Is it safe to touch cremated remains?
A.) While it is safe, remains can get stuck to your skin quite easily. It’s best to wear gloves or use a spoon to scoop out remains before scattering.

Q.) Do most people keep cremated remains at home?
A.) There are many options. Some could be placed in a beautiful decorative urn, memorial keepsakes, or made into remembrance jewelry. We offer many keepsakes in our Lumen Cremation store , such as jewelry and urns, to honor your loved one in a unique way. You could also choose a final resting place for the remains, such as burial or interment in a mausoleum or cremation niche.

Q.) Can I bury cremated remains?
A.) Yes, ground burial is still an option for cremated remains. You can choose to bury the cremated remains on your own property, but keep in mind that if you ever decide to move, the urn will need to be disinterred from the property, or the new owners would need to be made aware that the remains exist on the property. This could decrease property value, which is something to keep in mind as well.

However, if having your loved one’s cremated remains nearby is important for you, this is still an option.

If you decide to select a cemetery for burial, be sure to contact a cemetery sales counselor or sexton at your cemetery of choice and find out exactly what their specific regulations and costs are for cremation burial, including not only the plot cost but also what the opening/closing of the grave costs are with that space.

There are various other options for cremated remains as well, including:

Keeping the urn at home
Placing the urn in a niche at a columbarium (a walled monument usually located at a cemetery or church that houses individual spaces for cremated remains as well as small personal mementos)
Sharing with family (by purchasing keepsake urns or jewelry and dividing remains)
Scattering in meaningful areas (ground, sea, or aerial)
Using in jewelry, using biodegradable urns kits to plant and grow a tree, use in creating glass art or diamonds
Placement in memorial reefs on the ocean floor

Q.) Is there a clean alternative to cremated remains?
A.) Solidified remains are a complete alternative to cremated remains that allow you to live comfortably with your departed. The solidification process compresses conventional cremated remains into a beautiful collection of 40-60 “stones” that you can hold, share, scatter, and travel with.

The appearance of each collection of solidified remains is 100% natural. People can result in different hues and textures making each set unique. Parting Stone empowers families in their grief by providing a form of remains that can be touched and held.

Q.) How long do cremated remains last?
A.) Technically, remains can last forever. Archeologists have been known to discover ashes that are thousands of years old.

Do you have additional questions about cremation or the spreading of cremated remains? Feel free to ask your question using our online form or by calling us at (615) 647-9862 . Our caring professionals at Lumen Cremation are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How Much Does Cremation Cost?

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:43:00 GMT

As the price of funerals continues to rise across the U.S. and here in Middle Tennessee and Nashville, as religious traditions continue to evolve, and families continue to spread across the country, more and more people are choosing cremation over traditional burial.

Because we specialize in simple cremation arrangements for families who don’t want “all the extras,” we can maintain high-quality service at a very affordable cost. While traditional cremation involves more preparation and a longer timeline, simple cremation focuses on the fundamentals: transportation, cremation, and a simple container to store and ship the cremated remains. At Lumen , we also maintain the highest standards before, during, and after each cremation as the exclusive provider in (Davidson, Williamson, Cheatham, Robertson, Sumner, Montgomery, Dickson, Wilson, and Rutherford) as part of our Cremation with Confidence™ Guarantee .

You can view our simple cremation package which starts at $995 including the cremation permit, services of a funeral director, care in a climate-controlled environment, and the cost of the cremation.

When you ask other cremation providers about price, you’ll find that there are often hidden fees such as a separate charge for the cremation permit. Our cremation plan is generally all-inclusive and there are no hidden costs. Manager and Acting Funeral Director Tiffany Widener and the rest of our staff is committed to transparency every step of the way – and this includes our prices.

Choosing Lumen Cremation actually gives you more options, not only because it is the most affordable method of disposition but also because you can arrange a service for your loved one at any time.

We offer many keepsakes in our store , such as jewelry and urns, to honor your loved one in a unique way. Our Cremation Care Team can also advise or assist with religious services, scattering, planning a virtual or in-person memorial service, and so much more. We are always available to describe the many ways cremation families can host a meaningful tribute.

Because we understand how busy families are – particularly in the days and weeks following the death of a loved one – we provide a convenient and secure online payment option . Family Pay allows you to make payments from the comfort of your home. However, if you have any questions about your balance or if you are interested in exploring other payment options, please contact us , and one of our dedicated staff members will follow up with you promptly.

You can reach us by calling (615) 235-5074 or emailing care@lumencremation.com .

Lumen Cremation: Illuminating Every Life Lived

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:47:00 GMT

The word Lumen symbolizes light, and light signifies the core of what we do at Lumen Cremation .

Lumen Cremation began with the belief that there is light within every person who walks this earth. Each life has value, and everyone deserves to receive dignified and respectful care at the end of life.

Our role is to light the way for Middle Tennessee families as they navigate the dark days following the loss of a loved one. Our caring staff is here for them every step of the way.

One way we do this is through our convenient online cremation arrangement system. At Lumen Cremation , we believe that while grief is not simple, planning a cremation should be. Our Cremation Care Team is here to assist families in Bellevue, Brentwood, Franklin, Madison, Donelson, and the surrounding communities through the entire process, either over the phone or through our website .

“We offer simple cremation at a fair price. With technology, we can cut the time spent in planning a cremation from several hours to 10 to 15 minutes. Families can log onto our website , answer a few questions, input their preferences, and then pay with a credit card. We handle everything else from there,” Widener says.

Lumen Cremation’s unique online cremation planning process was recently featured on WSMV Channel 4 News in Nashville, highlighting the rising cremation rates in our area and the need for technology to improve the funeral planning process. You can watch the news story by clicking here !

Our goal is to give families the care they want, partnered with the convenience they need. We believe every family should understand their options, and we offer many free resources on our website, including a guide to getting prepared and details on how to determine the next of kin . We can also help you to put your arrangements in place with us and even pre-pay if you choose in advance, all online or by phone.

We know how much it means to families to be able to honor their loved one following the cremation . Lumen Cremation honors each life we serve through our beautiful digital tribute pages , which are included with every cremation. Our online store has many options for urns and jewelry , which families use as keepsakes to remember a life well-lived. One of our most popular keepsake items is the guitar urn, which pays homage to our Music City roots.

As a professionally owned firm, we are proud to serve families across Middle Tennessee and greater Nashville, specifically those in Davidson County, Cheatham County, Robertson County, Rutherford County, Sumner County, Williamson County, and Wilson County. However, our care knows no limits. We can still assist families outside of this area — please contact us for additional information.

We invite you to contact us to learn more about the Lumen Cremation Care Team and the services we offer. Call us at (615) 549-0074 or email care@lumencremation.com with any questions you may have.

Family Served by Lumen Cremation Featured in Story for News4 Nashville

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 19:24:00 GMT

Our Cremation Care Team at Lumen stands ready to help and support all families throughout greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee — but recently, we were able to help a family all the way out on the West Coast.

“There was a mountain out here, Mount Tamalpais, that he spent a lot of time on — I wanted to be able to spread his ashes on Mt. Tam and then also the logistics of us being in different states, it was more cost-effective,” she told News4 .

Lumen specializes in offering simple cremation services for a fair price . We do this by using technology to vastly decrease the amount of time from planning a cremation from a few hours to 15 or 20 minutes.

As part of the news story , the reporter explained how convenient online planning is for families who use Lumen. When using our virtual platform, all families have to do is answer a few questions, make their selections, and then pay with a credit card through our secure payment processing system. Our Cremation Care Team handles everything else.

“They’re able to make their memorial plans on their own on their own schedule on their own timing and not being confined to a specific timeframe to do that within,” said Tiffany Widener , Manager and Acting Funeral Director of Lumen, in her interview with News4 .

The news story showcased the special tributes that Lumen offers for families, including specialty urns, jewelry, and other keepsakes, all available through our online store .

Della told News4 she chose a beautiful urn featuring a guitar to pay tribute to her father’s love of music.

“I like the way that I can lay my dad to rest in a place that was important to him but also have a piece of him with me at the same time, so I think that’s an advantage over a traditional burial,” she said in the interview .

Della’s story symbolizes everything Lumen Cremation stands for — giving families the care they want with the convenience they need.

The word “lumen” symbolizes light, and we named our company Lumen because we believe there is light in every person and that each person deserves honorable and dignified care at the end of their life.

Every life has value, no matter what their story is, and at Lumen, we honor this in every interaction we have with a family.

If you are interested in learning more about Lumen Cremation, don’t hesitate to contact us through our website or give us a call at (615) 549-0074. We also have many free resources to offer your family, including a guide for getting prepared , details on determining next of kin , and more. You can also review our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about our services.

The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Cremation Provider

Mon, 24 May 2021 13:13:00 GMT

While cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families in Nashville , it’s important to remember this: Not all cremation providers are equal. Scandals in the media have caused many to be leery of cremation, and rightfully so. On top of that, the choice to cremate can involve personal, religious, or societal beliefs. In some cases, preferences are known before death, but in others, family members must make this decision. This is why our team at Lumen Cremation always recommends that people preplan their arrangements , so loved ones aren’t put in that position during a time of grief.

1.) What kind of cremation services do you offer, and what is the process like to make a cremation arrangement?

Cremation providers will offer different kinds of services, everything ranging from a direct cremation to a full visitation and church service. At Lumen, we offer a simple cremation package, and arrangements can be made entirely online, by phone, and at our offices only if it is your preference. Other facilities may require you to make an in-person visit, which can be a burden when planning from a distance. Our cremation specialists can assist you with making choices, understanding the process, and handling all arrangements in the way that is easiest for you.

2.) What does a cremation cost, and is your package all-inclusive?

You are likely interested in knowing what a cremation will cost – and of course, this is an important question to ask a provider when determining whether you will choose them. How a provider responds to questions about the price of a cremation is as telling as what the price actually is. At Lumen Cremation , we welcome questions about cremation costs . Our simple cremation package costs $995, and that includes the cremation permit, alternative cremation container, services of a funeral director, care in a climate-controlled environment, and the cost of the cremation.

3.) What kind of guarantee do you offer?

We are the only funeral provider in Nashville to offer a 10-step cremation process backed by our exclusive Cremation with Confidence™ guarantee. Our process ensures that your loved one is always treated with respect. It includes a strict ethical code over-and-above the state regulations to ensure the best possible cremation experience.

Whatever your final wishes, our caring staff here at Lumen Cremation will be sure to help you arrange cremation services while offering you the peace of mind you need at this difficult time. We invite you to reach out to us any time to learn more about our cremation services, or to begin the process of putting your arrangements in place .

When Coping with Loss, Grief Has No Timetable

Wed, 19 May 2021 13:26:00 GMT

You might feel lost as you try to return to your everyday routine, or you may feel guilty about moving on without your loved one. No matter what your circumstances are, we are here to provide the resources and support you need to get through this difficult time.

After losing a loved one, it may feel impossible to move forward. We understand that this is never an easy transition, but our goal is to connect you with the grief resources in Greater Nashville that can help you reground and reset to get back to your everyday life.

Grief counseling is one of the most beneficial resources you can use to cope with loss. With the assistance of a local Nashville, Brentwood, or Franklin counselor, you can learn how to use tools and tips to work through your grief. After dealing with a loss, it is helpful to have a person outside of your family or friend group who you can talk to about all your emotions – a safe place where you can share your feelings without being judged or feeling like you’re burdening someone else.

Here are some of the concepts that grief therapy can help with:

Grief is an emotion that works on a different timetable for every person. Try to remove any expectations for yourself during this process, and above all, remember that there are always people around you who want to help you.

Creating a Memorial Garden Helps in Healing After a Loss

Thu, 13 May 2021 19:01:00 GMT

There’s an old Chinese proverb that says, “If you want to be happy for a lifetime, be a gardener.” Our Lumen Cremation staff wants to give this sentiment a new twist by saying, “If you want help healing after a loss, be a gardener.”

In many ways, a memorial garden can help in that process. Consider these ideas when thinking about planting a garden in honor of someone you loved and lost.

Depending on space, your memorial could be as small as a single tree or as large as a sprawling garden with many different flowers, grasses, and shrubs. Did your friend or family member have a favorite flower or plant? Perhaps they loved tulips, daffodils, or lilacs. You can select plantings based on what meant the most to them.
What was your loved one’s favorite color, fragrance, or herb? Picture a tribute of cheerful, multi-color tulips, a lilac bush with its intense scent and stunning blooms, or an edible element featuring a simple pot of basil, mint, or cilantro.
If your garden is in honor your spouse or partner, bleeding hearts grow well in Wisconsin, as do knock out roses, and breathtaking black-eyed Susans.
Was your loved one a veteran ? Think about planting white, red, and blue (or dark purple) flowers, such as poppies, peonies, irises, and delphiniums.
Consider the meaning behind particular trees and flowers. An oak is a symbol of power, courage, and strength. A birch tree represents new beginnings. The astilbe flower is said to have the meaning of “I will be waiting for you,” symbolizing patience and dedication to a loved one. Calla lilies are a traditional symbol of marriage also used to celebrate major transitions in life. Even the act of researching these meanings and symbols can aid in the healing process as this might help bring to mind special memories.
Think about the addition of meaningful statuary or hardware. Did your loved one enjoy watching the birds come and go? A small bird statue or birdbath will bring a smile throughout the seasons. Add a bench, water feature, or even a funny or whimsical sign (“Gardeners know all the dirt”), statue, or tree hanger as a nod to their interests of sense of humor.
If you live in an apartment or your yard is small, no problem. You can still create a memorial using perennials that you can move indoors come fall. Or purchase a special potted plant to display in a prominent location inside.

Really, the details of the garden – what you plant and where it’s located – matter less than the meaning behind it. You want to create a place that holds a special place in your heart, bringing you joy and helping you heal as days go by.

Lumen Cremation is a family and locally-owned cremation provider serving Greater Nashville families, and we are dedicated to supporting other local businesses as well. Check out these local garden stores for ideas on how to start:

Hewitt Garden Center on Hillsboro in Franklin, TN – they are family-owned and operated, just like Lumen Cremation.
Green Door Gourmet in Nashville, TN – a beautiful local farm that our owners visit weekly. Pick up plants, attend a gardening class, and enjoy the freshest flowers and produce you can find.
Moore & Moore Garden Center on Hwy 100 in Nashville, TN – a locally-owned gem near our Lumen Cremation offices.
Creekside Garden Center in Belle Meade – started by two friends and Nashville natives.

Losing a loved one changes life as you know it, but a “new normal” is possible. No matter where you are on your grief journey, remember we’re always here for you .