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Service Options

Honoring a Life With Endless Possibilities

Honoring the life of your loved one means you value the relationship you shared. We look forward to helping you decide how to celebrate that bond, and honor the unique individual you've lost. We can make suggestions to enhance your tribute ideas. Together we will create a fitting and memorable event. Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to connect, share memories, offer words of sympathy, and create a lasting network of comfort and support as they start the journey toward healing. Contact us today to discuss the possibilities.

Visitation & Gathering Services

Why do we have visitations or gatherings or even a funeral service? Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to share memories, express emotions, and find comforting support. Whether you choose burial or cremation; whether you select a formal funeral or a more relaxed memorial service, the need for acknowledgment of the loss with family and friends is ever present. We can help you create a unique meaningful ceremony to express the genuine individuality of your loved one.

We offer families a beautiful setting in which to come together to honor your loved one. But, you may certainly choose to celebrate their life in a more unique setting. No matter where you decide to gather together, such a service will make a difference in the lives of all who attend.



Remembrance Options

In the depth of early grief, you might think that it would be ‘easier’ to just take care of things as simply – and as quickly –as possible. But easier – especially in this circumstance – simply isn’t better. You must set the stage for the future by giving your family and friends the opportunity to start the healing process. When one generally thinks of a funeral service they think of a time of sadness and sorrow. And while we don't deny that it is true, we must also remember the life that was lived and to cherish all that they provided to us. There are many different types of services that can be held.

Here are the most common:

  • Funeral Service: A funeral service is generally when a body is present for the funeral service. Following the funeral service the body with either be buried in a cemetery, encased in a mausoleum or cremated.
  • Memorial/Remembrance Service: A memorial service is when the body is not present or the cremated remains is present for the funeral service.
  • Gathering Time: A gathering time is when there will be no formal service time. It is basically a visitation.
  • Graveside Service: A graveside service can be held in the cemetery. There is generally a small number of people in attendance and takes approximately 20 minutes. This can be done with a casket or an urn.
  • Immediate Burial: Immediate burial means that you or your loved one will be buried or entombed without a public service or gathering. This is generally done without any family present. This is done in accordance with the cemetery requirements which is usually a casket or an urn.
Burial Service

The State of Wisconsin is clear on where you can place human remains (WI Statute 69.18, ch 157). With that in mind, here are some available options:

  • Cemetery: All cemeteries have guidelines and rules that are to be respected and followed. Burial in a cemetery is done in accordance with the cemetery requirements which is usually a casket or an urn. Notification is to be made to the cemetery regarding any burial that will take place. It is against the law to bury someone in a cemetery without notification to the cemetery. Within a cemetery there may be options for burial such as:
    • Ground burial - either casket or urn
    • Mausoleum or Entombment
    • Crypt burial
    • Niche - for an urn only
  • Family Land: Burial may take place on your private land but there are some hoops to jump through to make it happen. You must get approval from the town, village or city that you reside in. Most municipalities already have guidelines when it comes to the burial on private property. Should approval be received the proper paperwork would then need to be filed.
  • Burial at Sea: There is an application permit that is required for this process. Here is a link for any questions you may have. https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea
Cremation Services

Cremation only refers to the manner in which you or your loved one has chosen to deal with the physical remains. We want you to know that this decision doesn’t limit the ways you can honor your loved one's life. We heartily suggest that you have a funeral or memorial service, because your need for such a healing experience is not lessened by the decision to be cremated. Again, the options are limited only by your imagination.

The biggest misconception about cremation is that there can't be a funeral service or visitation with you or your loved one's body present. This is becoming a more popular option for those who seek cremation but still want the traditional aspect of a funeral. The only difference is that following the funeral service the body would be taken back to the funeral home for cremation. Following the cremation, the family can choose to gather in the cemetery for burial of the cremated remains or keep the cremated remains with a family member. We hope that you will contact us to discuss the wide variety of celebratory options open to you.

  • Having the body present for a visitation and/or funeral service followed by cremation.
  • Private family viewing followed by cremation.
  • Direct Cremation with no public or private viewing.


While some may choose cremation because it will allow them more time to plan a service, please keep in mind that honoring your loved one is the first step in grieving and healing. Options for honoring your loved one following a direct cremation:

  • Funeral Service at the funeral home, church or other location with a visitation or gathering prior to the service.
  • Gathering at the funeral home or other location.


Now that the cremation and service are done, what are you going to do with the cremated remains? There are a variety of choices such as:

  • Burial or entombment: This can be in a cemetery on a family plot, a memorial site, a cremation niche or urn garden, or in a variety of other indoor and outdoor locations. Ask our staff for a detailed list of interment possibilities.
  • Scattering is tricky as there are so many regulations and rules in regards to where a loved one can be scattered. There are many locations that allow you to spread your loved one's cremated remains in a memorial garden that is usually located in a cemetery. However, any public location are usually off limits. Prior to scattering your loved one in a river, pond, lake or ocean, you should make sure that you comply with any state regulations that they may have. Scattering a loved ones cremated remains on your own private property does not require any type of permit.
  • Placing cremated remains in multiple urns/keepsakes allows family members who are separated by distance to each feel the comfort of having their loved one's final resting place in a nearby location.
  • Placing a small amount of cremated remains in a pendant or piece of jewelry.

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home | (715) 449-2688
445 Main St., PO Box J, Birnamwood, WI 54414

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home | (715) 253-2713
401 W. College Ave., PO Box E, Wittenberg, WI 54499

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