Editor’s Note: This is the second in a three-part series on Omega House’s “Final Journey” Seminar

HOUGHTON — In the second lecture of Omega House’s “Final Journey” seminar, the focus shifted from the dying process to post-death procedures. Father-son funeral home duo Mark and Jeff Dennis presented on burial options, funeral home procedures and how to make funeral arrangements.

Mark Dennis, the manager of the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock, began by outlining the four post-mortem options we have: traditional burial, green burial, cremation, and body donation.

A traditional burial has the body embalmed and placed in a casket for burial, usually in a cemetery. Cremation involves burning the body and gathering the ashes for burial, scattering, or storage in a special place. Dennis pointed out that handling of the ashes may vary based on one’s religious beliefs. Body donation allows for one’s body to be donated to a university or medical center. After it is used for educational purposes, the body will be cremated, and the ashes returned to the family.

Jeff Dennis, Mark’s son and the director of Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden, described the process of green burial. Green burials have been growing in popularity as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to a traditional burial.

Jeff explained that a green burial can include many aspects of a traditional burial, such as a viewing of the body and graveside service. The burial must occur within 48 hours of death, and does not require cremation.

“There’s some resistance, because it’s something new.” Jeff said. He added that, while many cemeteries are not yet prepared to offer this kind of burial, the Chassell cemetery is equipped for green burials “365 days a year.”

At the end of the pair’s presentation, Mark Dennis took time to point out the importance of a service, regardless of the deceased’s choice of burial style.

“Grief shared is grief diminished.” told the audience. “It’s good to have a service for the deceased…We’re not nothing…We’ve affected so many lives.”

This session also featured Dr. David Kass, who offered information on the processes that take place in the body shortly before death. This can include a decrease in appetite, changes in skin tone, and a drop in energy. While Kass acknowledged this “… can be very distressing for family members,” he assured attendees these changes are all a normal part of the dying process. He encouraged family members to speak to their doctor if they have concerns about the process their loved one is going through.

The final session of Omega House’s “Final Journey” series will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Portage Lake District Library’s Community Room.