Cremation

Cremation Cremation Process Ashes

One of the main decisions is whether your loved one will be cremated or buried. Perhaps, they have already decided this in a statement or will.  Some religions require specific types of services (see: Religion & Cultural FAQs).

Deciding between traditional earth burial or entombment in a mausoleum versus cremation is a matter of final disposition, not memorialization. Once the decision about the final disposition of the physical remains is made, the decision on how to memorialize the life of the person may be easier to make.

Cremation is the practice of disposing of the deceased by burning. This often takes place in a crematorium or crematory.

Cremation is gaining widespread popularity for several unique reasons:

• Simplicity & Dignity
• Flexibility for the Family
• Family and Religious Involvement in Services and Ceremonies
• Environmentally Sound
• Immediate Return to Nature
• Saves Land
• Economical

Typically, cremation costs less than traditional burial services, especially if direct cremation is chosen, in which the body is cremated as soon as legally possible without any sort of services.  Cremated remains require far less space than a traditional burial or entombment. Cremation plots or columbarium niches usually cost less than a burial plot or mausoleum crypt.  There is a wide variation in the cost of cremation services, having mainly to do with the amount of service desired by the deceased or the family.

A cremation can take place after a full traditional funeral service.

Many funeral professionals now offer several options with cremation. Some of these options include:

1. A full traditional service followed by cremation: the body is embalmed and prepared for viewing/visitation/calling hours and a funeral is conducted. The change is that a cremation casket or a ceremonial casket would be used instead of a traditional casket.  After the funeral service, the body is taken to the crematorium.
2. A public or private viewing/visitation/calling hours followed by cremation.
3. A cremation followed by a memorial service.
4. A cremation followed by a graveside committal service.  Once the decision for cremation is made, families still must decide what will be done with the cremated remains.

After the cremation, the family has options to bury the ashes, put the ashes in a container(urn) or scatter the ashes. Remember, if you do not give the crematorium an urn or purchase one from them, they are likely to give you your loved one back to you in a small box and/or plastic bag. As this can be quite shocking, it is important to plan for how you would like to transport the ashes.

Note: if cremation is chosen, it is not necessary (in most states) to engage the services of a separate funeral home.

For more on urns see: Ashes

Q: What happens if I want to be cremated when I die, but a family member is opposed to this choice?

A: It is always best if an agreement can be reached that the family will respect regarding the cremation decision.  Discussion with a cremation counselor, funeral director, clergyman, chaplain, or other adviser may help with this decision.  If agreement cannot be reached, then before death occurs, the person choosing cremation should prearrange their plans and file them with their chosen cremation provider, in addition to stating these wishes in their will.

Related Topics
Memorial Service	Eulogy	Common Funeral Myths