Funerals & Memorials

A funeral takes place with your loved one present in a casket. The casket may be open or closed, depending on your family's wishes.

A memorial service or celebration of life takes place after burial or cremation. Your loved one is not present in a casket, although cremated remains may or may not be present.



Both are opportunities to gather, share stories, honor a life, and support one another. Neither is more meaningful than the other—it simply depends on what feels right for your family.

Costs

Funeral services held at a house of worship or at home typically average $6,090.*

Memorial services begin at $1,100.*

*Pricing varies based on the location, merchandise selected, and any third-party expenses.

Home Funerals

Sometimes, the most meaningful way forward is also the oldest. For generations, families cared for their loved ones at home—gathering together, sharing stories, saying goodbye, and honoring a life in a familiar place. While not every family has the opportunity for a peaceful death at home, many choose to create that sense of comfort afterward by gathering in the home with family and friends. A home funeral or home gathering may take place with or without your loved one present, depending on your wishes and the circumstances. In some situations, embalming may be recommended based on the timing of the gathering and the conditions of the home. Our team will guide you through every step of the process and help determine whether a home funeral is the right option for your family.

Honoring a Life of Service

Military service is one chapter in a person's life story, and for many families, it's an important one. We can incorporate veteran acknowledgments and military honors into funeral, memorial, or graveside services in a way that feels meaningful, personal, and true to the life being celebrated.

Lake Michigan Scatterings

Lake Michigan is one of the most meaningful places to scatter cremated remains for many Chicago families.

Federal guidelines require cremated remains to be scattered at least three nautical miles from shore. Only biodegradable materials should be used, and scattering should be conducted away from busy swimming and boating areas. Inclusive Funeral Care can help coordinate private Lake Michigan scatterings and offers a selection of beautiful biodegradable and floating urns. Each year, we also host a community scattering ceremony on Lake Michigan for families who wish to participate in a shared remembrance.

Burial of Cremated Remains

Cremated remains may also be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, interred in a family plot, or incorporated into a meaningful memorial. We'll help you understand your options and find the choice that best reflects your loved one's life and your family's wishes.

Celebrant Services

Not every family has a clergy member or faith community leading their service. Others simply want a ceremony that reflects the unique personality, beliefs, and story of their loved one. Our trained celebrants work closely with families to create thoughtful, personalized ceremonies that feel genuine—not scripted. They help gather stories, write a meaningful tribute, and serve as the master of ceremonies, guiding family and friends through the service with warmth, compassion, and confidence. Every life is different. Every farewell should be, too.

Organic Human Reduction

A New Option for Returning to the Earth

Organic Human Reduction (OHR)—sometimes called human composting or natural organic reduction—is an environmentally conscious form of final disposition that gently transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil. Although Organic Human Reduction is not currently legal in Illinois, Inclusive Funeral Care can coordinate transportation to licensed facilities in states where the process is available. At the completion of the process, families receive a portion of the resulting soil, which may be used in accordance with the laws and guidelines of the state where the reduction takes place. Services begin at $2,600, plus transportation and Organic Human Reduction facility fees.