Have you recently lost a loved one and are now faced with the solemn task of receiving their remains?
In times of grief, even the most mundane tasks can feel overwhelming.
One such task is writing a letter to accept the delivery of your loved one’s remains from the funeral home or crematorium.
But don’t worry – you’re not alone in this.
Many people before you have navigated this difficult process, and we’re here to help guide you through it with some sample letters.
Whether you need a formal letter for legal purposes or a more personal note to express your gratitude, we’ve got you covered.
Sample Letters of Acceptance of Human Remains
Below, you’ll find 20 sample letters for various scenarios to help you craft the perfect message.
Letter 1: Formal Acceptance of Cremated Remains
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], hereby acknowledge and accept the cremated remains of my [relationship], [Deceased’s Name], from [Funeral Home/Crematorium Name]. I understand that all necessary cremation procedures have been completed following state and local laws.
Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] to arrange a convenient time for me to collect the ashes. Thank you for your assistance during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 2: Accepting Remains on Behalf of Family
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], am writing to accept the remains of [Deceased’s Name] on behalf of the [Family Name] family. As the designated representative, I am authorized to take possession of the [cremated/buried] remains.
Please let me know when the remains will be available for collection. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss further details.
Thank you for your support and understanding,
[Your Name]
Letter 3: Gratitude for Careful Handling of Remains
Dear [Funeral Home Staff],
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the care and respect you showed while handling the remains of my beloved [relationship], [Deceased’s Name]. Your professionalism and compassion during this trying time have been a great comfort to my family and me.
Please know that we are forever grateful for your services. I will be in touch soon to arrange the collection of the remains.
With sincere thanks,
[Your Name]
Letter 4: Acceptance of Remains for Burial
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
This letter is to confirm that I, [Your Name], accept the remains of [Deceased’s Name] for burial. As discussed in our previous correspondence, the burial will take place on [Date] at [Cemetery Name].
I kindly request that you transfer the remains to the cemetery on the morning of the burial. If there are any changes to this plan, please notify me immediately at [Your Phone Number].
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
Letter 5: Acceptance and Request for Shipping
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], hereby accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As I am unable to collect the remains in person, I request that you ship them to me at the following address:
[Your Address]
Please use a reliable, trackable shipping service and provide me with the tracking number once the remains have been shipped. You can reach me at [Your Email Address] if you need any further information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Letter 6: Acceptance and Donation of Remains
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the remains of [Deceased’s Name] and wish to donate them to [Organization Name] for scientific research purposes, as per their final wishes.
Please make the necessary arrangements with [Organization Name] for the transfer of the remains. If you require any additional documentation or authorization from me, please let me know.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 7: Acceptance of Remains with Special Instructions
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As discussed during our last meeting, I would like the following special instructions to be carried out before I collect the remains:
1. [Special Instruction 1]
2. [Special Instruction 2]
3. [Special Instruction 3]
Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] once these instructions have been completed, and I will arrange to collect the remains.
Thank you for your assistance,
[Your Name]
Letter 8: Acceptance and Request for Division of Remains
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As agreed upon by the family, please divide the remains into [Number] equal portions for each of the following family members:
1. [Family Member 1 Name]
2. [Family Member 2 Name]
3. [Family Member 3 Name]
Each family member will collect their portion of the remains separately. Please contact me at [Your Email Address] once the division is complete.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 9: Acceptance and Request for Eco-Friendly Urn
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As an environmentally conscious family, we kindly request that the remains be placed in an eco-friendly urn made of biodegradable materials.
Please let me know if you have any suitable options available or if I need to provide an urn myself. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss this further.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Letter 10: Acceptance and Arrangements for Scattering
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. We have decided to scatter the ashes at [Location], as it held a special place in their heart.
Please let me know when the remains will be ready for collection, so I can make the necessary arrangements for the scattering ceremony. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] with any updates.
Thank you for your support,
[Your Name]
Letter 11: Acceptance and Request for Jewelry Keepsakes
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. We would like to have a small portion of the ashes incorporated into memorial jewelry keepsakes for family members.
Please provide me with information on the process and any recommended jewelers who offer this service. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss the details.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 12: Acceptance and Request for Commemorative Tattoo
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As a tribute to their memory, I would like to have a small amount of the ashes incorporated into a commemorative tattoo.
Please let me know the proper procedures for obtaining a portion of the ashes for this purpose. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] with any information or guidance you can provide.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Letter 13: Acceptance and Request for Memorial Diamond
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. We have decided to have a portion of the ashes turned into a memorial diamond.
Please provide me with information on reputable companies that offer this service and the amount of ashes required for the process. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss further details.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Letter 14: Acceptance and Request for Delayed Collection
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the remains of [Deceased’s Name]. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to collect the remains at this time.
Please store the remains safely until [Date], when I will be able to collect them in person. If this arrangement is not possible, please let me know, and we can discuss alternative options.
Thank you for your understanding,
[Your Name]
Letter 15: Acceptance and Request for Virtual Ceremony
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. Due to the current global situation and travel restrictions, we would like to hold a virtual ceremony to honor their memory.
Please let me know if you offer any virtual ceremony services or if you have recommendations for platforms we can use. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] to discuss the possibilities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 16: Acceptance and Request for Memorial Tree Planting
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As a nature lover, they always expressed a desire to have their ashes planted with a memorial tree.
Please provide me with information on eco-friendly urns suitable for tree planting and any recommended providers of this service. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] to discuss the details further.
Thank you for your assistance,
[Your Name]
Letter 17: Acceptance and Request for Charitable Donation
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. Instead of a traditional service, we would like to honor their memory by making a charitable donation in their name.
Please provide me with the necessary information to donate a portion of the remains to [Charity Name], as per their final wishes. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss the arrangements.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter 18: Acceptance and Request for Memorial Firework
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. To celebrate their vibrant personality, we would like to incorporate a portion of the ashes into a memorial fireworks display.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations for companies that offer this unique service and the amount of ashes required. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] with any information you can provide.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Letter 19: Acceptance and Request for Coral Reef Burial
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As an avid scuba diver and marine conservationists, they expressed a wish to have their ashes incorporated into an artificial coral reef.
Please provide me with information on organizations that offer this eco-friendly memorial option and the process involved. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss further details.
Thank you for your support,
[Your Name]
Letter 20: Acceptance and Request for Space Burial
Dear [Funeral Director’s Name],
I, [Your Name], accept the cremated remains of [Deceased’s Name]. As a lifelong astronomy enthusiast, they always dreamed of having their ashes sent to space.
Please let me know if you have any information on companies that provide space burial services and the necessary steps to make this happen. You can contact me at [Your Email Address] to discuss the possibilities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Wrapping Up
Accepting the remains of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional process.
We hope these sample letters have provided you with a starting point to express your wishes and communicate with the funeral home or crematorium.
Remember, it’s okay to take your time and personalize these letters to reflect your unique situation and relationship with the deceased.
If you have any questions or concerns about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to the funeral director or your support network.
You are not alone in this journey, and there are people ready to help you every step of the way.