| | For most of the past century, families have honored and memorialized the life of a loved one with a traditional visitation, religious-based memorial service at a funeral home chapel or religious sanctuary and graveside services. Around the world, most funerals have similar traditions and characteristics, but the services are modified to satisfy the cultural and religious beliefs of individual families.
As with most traditions, expectations about funerals change to satisfy lifestyles and desires. Today, people are putting greater emphasis on a "Celebration of Life," rather than expressing sorrow and mourning at the services of a loved one.
As traditional funeral practices evolve into a "Celebration of Life," Milward is prepared to help guide you through the process of presenting memories and artifacts that help identify the uniqueness of each life.
 Whether you are planning in advance or need to arrange visitation and memorial service for a family member or friend at the time of their death, our funeral directors are committed to helping you create a special tribute to your loved one that will honor a life well-lived. We encourage your family to share your ideas, customs and wishes with us.
Wildflowers
The timeless remembrance of wildflowers will commemorate the life lived by your loved one. Individual pouches containing 8,000 seeds each are available to give as a living keepsake to family and friends.
White Dove Release Ceremony
This ceremonial release allows family and friends to express their final farewells, prayers and love. With assistance from our staff, your family may release four white doves to symbolize the soul lifting toward the heavens.
 Butterfly Release Ceremony
An ancient ceremony, the butterflies carry sentiments heavenward to be received by intented loved
one(s). With assistance from our staff, you may individually release your butterfly or a mass release is also available.
Heritage Candle Ceremony
Celebrate the memory of your loved one with this beautiful ceremony. With the assistance of our staff, a large candle is lit to honor the life of the deceased. Each family member takes the light from the flame, and lights their own floating votive candle and places it in the crystal bowl, signifying the heritage and legacy of the family.
Montage
A collage of memories will be created from your photographs, newspaper articles and other personal mementos to become a keepsake you can cherish for a lifetime.
 Balloon Release Ceremony
This ceremony is a hands on way for children and adults to have a celebrated remembrance of their loved one.
Bagpipe Player
A musical touch that is both moving and dramatic, whether at the funeral home or the cemetery. A piper will play bagpipes in full Scottish attire.
Live Classical Music
In addition to our organist, select from a harpist or brass musician(s) to perform live at your loved one's visitation or service.
 Veteran Flag Case
Our beautiful, solid hardwood cases will protect the cherished flag, earned by your loved one. It may be displayed for both the visitation and funeral, then proudly displayed in your home as a memorial. Available in Maple with a Cherry finish, Walnut, and Oak.
Video Tribute
With your funeral director, select a song or songs, and have your photos and memorabilia combined into a video that features your loved one. A great memento to share during the visitation or funeral and then to take home for your personal memory.
 Heirloom Hurricane Candles
Using flowers selected by you, let us create a custom designed candle. The flowers will be carefully pressed and dried for this beautiful heirloom. These candles are available in many shapes and sizes, and can also be designed to accommodate an electric light.
Custom Embroidered Casket Panels
Let us create a special memory panel, artistically stitched with care, to immortalize the memorie of your loved one. Choose from a selection of designs and colors.
Freeze Frame Floral Preservation
We have partnered with Freezeframe, to capture floral moments into lasting three dimensional art. Use as little as 1-2 blooms or as many as several dozen, and choose from many design options and styles.
 Horse Drawn Hearse
Step back in time with a beautiful, solid walnut horse drawn hearse carrying the casket of your loved one to their final resting place. Procession to the cemetery will be traditional. At the cemetery entrance, the casket will be transferred from the traditional, modern day hearse to the horse drawn hearse, pulled by two horses.
Catered Gathering
Whether planning a reception after the service, or a snack during the visitation, learn more about how we can assist you in hosting a reception for family and friends.
Click here to learn more about reception options.
Local Hotel Accommodations
If you or any of your family is coming from out of town, please notify your funeral director who can help make your stay more convenient and comfortable while in town. Milward has partnered with a local hotel, a historic inn and a bed and breakfast to provide families it serves with sleeping accommodations.
Life Gem
Have a certified, high quality diamond created from the carbon of your loved one's cremains as a memorial to their unique and wonderful life. |
