PERSONALIZATION

The American funeral has changed more in the past few years than in the prior fifty years. It used to be that the "Traditional Funeral" was pretty much the same. A wake or visitation period, which lasted anywhere from one to three days, followed by a church service and burial in the cemetery. Yet today, there is no such thing as a "Traditional Funeral". People are choosing funeral services that are more reflective of the person and fit the lifestyle of the family. And with more and more ethnic groups living in our area, traditional funerals now incorporate many of the customs and ceremonies of different cultures. In any given year, Watts Funeral Homes & Cremation Center conducts funeral services for Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu families, not to mention families that opt for non-religious, humanistic services. Given the diverse group of families that we serve and the different options that we provide, there are many choices available when it comes to a funeral.

Personalization that goes beyond caskets and flowers

White Dove Releases
White doves stand as the ultimate symbol of peace and freedom. Even the Bible speaks of doves Psalms 55:6 says "And I say, Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest." White dove releases are provided at no charge to the families we serve. They can be incorporated into any service, and they can even be released by the family if they desire.

Balloon Releases
Releasing of Balloons at a funeral ceremony has become popular in the past year. A balloon release allows the friends and family to join in together and be a part of the service. Friends have told us "Releasing balloons makes them feel like they are letting go of the person and releasing their spirit". Balloon releases are provided free of charge to all families we serve and can be incorperated into any service chosen.

Journey of Reflections
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures are a powerful way to celebrate a life. Our DVD movies are created in house they include pictures in any order that you choose.  We interlace actual movie scenes with the pictures and we complement The movie with music of your choice. Journey of Reflections are provided free to all families that we serve. And they can be incorpated into a visitation, service or both.

Tribute Plaques
Watts Funeral Homes is proud to be the only funeral home in Putnam County to provide Tribute plaques. All plaques are created in house and can have a background and the Favorite poem or verse you want. The Tribute Plaque is provided free of charge to all Families we serve, and is often place in the casket spray or next to the register book at a Traditional funeral or next to the urn at a Cremation funeral. 

A new way to take pictures

In such a fast-paced society, family gatherings don't come as often as we'd like. Many times, A funeral brings loved ones together that haven't been for years. We can help you preserve the reunion by distributing disposable flash cameras to your friends and family. After everyone has commemorated the service in his or her own way, you will have a set of images that provide loving memories of those you love. 

Candlelight Ceremony

Illuminated candels display a certain ambiance

that creates a calm and peaceful environment 

for friends and family. Just as candles are used in many ceremonies, we can create a candlelight visitation or memorial service that can represent something significant to the family, whether it is a religious, cultural or sentimental preference.  We welcome all special requests involving our candlelight services and visitations.  

Saying goodbye in a different way.

The very idea of writing on a casket would have

seemed inappropriate just a decade ago. But times have changed. Increasingly, people are trying to individualize and 

personalize these farewells. Our staff can pass out writing markers to family and friends at the service or visitation to

allow them to write personal messages directly on the casket. (Everyone) we talk to just says that writing out their feelings just helps them. 

It Is Now Possible to Include Everyone. 

Whether its distance, health, personal or professional commitments or financial situation, something will prevent at least some important friends or family members from participating. With World Wide Memorials by Watts Funeral Homes, families finally have a solution which lets them plan a tribute that reflects the life of their loved one and honors his or her life without leaving anyone out. Watts Funeral Homes is the only funeral provider in Putnam County that provides families the ability

to allow family and friends to participate and watch the service regardless of where they live. Using high quality web casting technology, our audio/video department captures and broadcasts the service, interment and other special moments as they happen over a discreet internet connection, directly into the homes and hearts of dozens of family and friends simultaneously via their PCs. And if "virtual" guests aren't available at the exact time of the event, they can access the ceremony for up to 90 days on the Watts Funeral Homes Website.

Online Obituaries
Watts funeral homes is currently the only funeral home in Putnam county to offer online obituaries. All families that we serve are provided with their obituary online free of charge. These obituaries can be accessed twenty fours a day at www.wattsfuneralhomes.com.  Family and friends can also sign the online register book, they can also view pictures and upload pictures and they can watch the Journey of Reflections movie online.

Thumbies
Thumbies are a special way to remember a loved one. We take an actual thumbprint of your loved one and then create a gold or silver charm. These charms can even be engraved with a personal inscription. Our families tell us "I feel like I have a part of my loved one with me always." Thumbies create a special piece of jewelry that can be cherished for generations to come."

Memorial Boards
Photos are a great way to remember a life lived. We encourage our families to take home our memory boards and arrange them in the comfort of their home. This allows you to share and get involved as a family and to share memories and experience. Studies have shown that this can be a very healing process. Memory Boards are Provided free to all families we serve. Often memory boards are displayed during the Visitation and funeral.

Life Reflections Tables.
Personal items of your loved one can be a wonderful way to celebrate that persons life. Families often bring in items that where special to their loved one or perhaps reflected Their life. Through the years we have had families bring in such items as Cooking pots and pans, quilts to place on the casket or even a motorcycle. Such items can bring warmth and meaning to a celebration of life service.

Memorial Reflections
Memorial Reflections are often chosen for a memorial service when the person will not be viewed. The canvas is three feet wide and seven feet tall and can be personalized with a background of your choice and a favorite poem or verse. Memorial Reflections serve as a wonderful focal point and when families speak at the service they often look at and address it as if it the person was in the room with them.

Special Music
The Watts family recognizes that music is a powerful part of the funeral service. In the past twenty years we have played everything from country to rock and roll This is way we have music playing in all parts of our facility. We also offer XM Satellite Radio free of charge with over one hundred different kinds of music to choose from your sure to find something to fit your tastes. Families often choose to have their loved one's favorite music playing as background music during the visitation or memorial celebration. We also have a very extensive library of popular song to play during the service. Most often any song you request can be obtained and played. At not charge. Please Click the Link Below to view some of the most popular songs.

Living Memorial Program
Since 1976, funeral service professionals in the United States have taken great pride in offering bereaved families the Living Memorial tree planting program. It's a very special program that provides for the planting of a tree as a tribute to your loved one. Developed by Batesville Casket Company, in agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the program has been responsible for planting more than 10 million trees and reforesting more than 14,500 acres in the past two decades. It is now the largest private reforestation project in the United States. Since 1976, the Living Memorial program has grown to include forests in Canada, as well as Australia and the United Kingdom. 

When families select a Batesville casket or an Options cremation product, a tree seedling is planted in a national forest at no additional cost to you. While the tree bears no visible identification, you can take great pride in knowing that you are helping contribute to a major environmental initiative. Your family will receive a special certificate from the agency in charge of that particular tree planting activity in the United States, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom. More than just a fitting tribute, this program provides for trees that shelter our wildlife, reduce water and wind erosion and contribute to the purity of the air we breathe. Their existence brings comfort and hope. They will ensure that generations to come will know the beauty of a green planet. What better legacy to leave?