Understanding the Purposes and Benefits of Funeral Home and Cremations in Bakersfield, CA

Basham Funeral Care is a full-service provider of funerals and cremations in Bakersfield, CA and the neighboring areas. We have been helping families honor their loved ones since 2000 and we continue to serve with diligence and respect. We give your loved one the option of choosing from a range of funeral services, all of which can be customized with special touches like flowers, music, and more. Our funeral home is staffed by compassionate, competent people that take delight in assisting families during difficult times. Basham Funeral Care's caring personnel are more like a close family. Call us today at (661) 873-8200 or Contact Us for other locations.

Given the overwhelm and shock that losing a loved one can bring up, it might be helpful to understand what purposes may be accomplished by holding services such as a funeral home and cremations in Bakersfield, CA. With the caring and competent guidance of providers at your chosen funeral home, you can find some measure of comfort as you lay your loved one down to rest. So let’s begin by discussing the purpose and benefits of a funeral service.


Funerals are generally held in close proximity to the date of death to accommodate the need for the deceased to be present at the event. Psychologically having this event often helps us to acknowledge death and say goodbye. This can be difficult to manage if life continues as usual without taking time to recognize the depth of your loss. Many of us have events on the calendar for months and even years in advance. But a funeral isn’t like that.

We cannot always predict when someone we love will die, and schedules and time off often need to be arranged in haste for us to be in attendance. This ‘interruption’ is very significant since it means that it takes precedence over other important things. Gathering can put you in contact with others who are mourning this loss. It can be an important source of support to reconnect and spend time with this network while sharing grief and memories together. Reflective time may cause us to remember what is meaningful when it comes to life and death.


On the other hand, cremation is a means of caring for the body of the deceased after death has occurred. The body is reduced to an ashen state through exposure to flames. Cremation can be performed shortly after death, as soon as legal requirements have been met. If there is no public service at this time, it may be called a direct or simple cremation procedure. It is also possible for someone who has just been honored with a full funeral service to be cremated.

Some benefits of cremation include this flexibility in planning for the final arrangements. There are times when it is simply not possible to hold a traditional or modernized funeral. Cremation satisfies the time-bound portion of death care right away. This can offer more time to plan memorializing events and gatherings at a future date. Cremation is also widely thought to be a more ecologically friendly solution than casketing and interring an embalmed body. Another upside to cremation is that it typically costs less than casket burial.

What is a Eulogy and Who Should Give it?

A spoken tribute to share a glimpse into the life of the departed is often called a eulogy. There are really no strict rules about the correct way a eulogy should be delivered or by whom it ought to be presented. What makes a eulogy effective is the personal details and memories that are shared. In some circles, especially in smaller gatherings, an invitation for some spontaneous sharing may be extended.


Those who knew the deceased well are usually best equipped to share these thoughts (or help with the planning of what will be shared). This portion of your service can be quite meaningful and remembered long after the commemoration is complete. You are encouraged to consider adding these details into the services for your loved one when planning for a funeral and cremation in Bakersfield, CA.

Final Disposition for Funeral Home and Cremations in Bakersfield, CA

Another element of the death care arrangements will be selecting where you want to place your loved one’s remains. If the body is kept intact and buried in a casket or shroud, you will be choosing a burial or entombment site. Cemeteries (both traditional or modern) and memorial parks have various beautiful final interment solutions.


Cremated remains can be handled in several ways for the final placement. Also, they may be buried in available burial grounds or columbaria receptacles. The ashes could alternatively be scattered in any number of significant locations. Cremation jewelry could keep a small portion of the remains in compartments built within the accessory. Displayable funerary urns may receive the remains to be kept close at home. There are untold creative and meaningful placement options for cremated persons.

Choose a Trusted Funeral Home Now

Saying a final goodbye is just that--final. With that in mind, it is vital that you choose a funeral home that you feel you can trust when making plans for funeral home and cremations in Bakersfield, CA. The professional excellence and funerary advisors you will find at Basham Funeral Care come highly recommended. See why our facilities have continued to expand to serve an ever-increasing number of families through one of the most challenging times life asks of us.

What is the purpose of a funeral?

A funeral allows friends and family members to express their love and respect for someone who meant a lot to them. Seeing how much people care can often help a family cope with their loss. Funerals have been a way of expressing our beliefs, thoughts, and feelings for thousands of years. Learn more about funeral services.

How is a body prepared for cremation?

Before being identified, the body is usually cleansed, cleaned, and dressed. Unless you have a public viewing or want it, there is no embalming. The technician next removes any jewelry or other valuables that you want to keep. Learn more about cremation services.

What is done at a graveside service?

Graveside services are usually only a few minutes long. The funeral officiant will most likely conduct prayers or readings, and the body will be lowered into the ground or put in the crypt. It is usual in many cultures for guests to assist in the burial process by shoveling dirt into the grave. Know more about your burial options.

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