Cremation and Urns
What Is Cremation?
The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times. Today it is more
common in western Europe and Japan then in the United States and
Canada. However, the number of people in the U.S. and Canada selecting
cremation as the form of final disposition had risen significantly
during the past few years.
Since you're thinking about cremation, you may want to know more about
the process and the many services available to you. It is simply the
process of reducing the body to bone fragments through the application
of intense heat. Over a period of two to three hours the body is
transformed to a state of small skeletal fragments, not fine ash as
some people believe. The cremated remains of an average adult weigh
from three to seven pounds. They are generally placed in a small
cardboard box or other temporary container by the crematory until the
decision as to final disposition of the cremated remains is decided.
Can There Be Service Or Ceremonies When Cremation Is Chosen?
Certainly. Cremation does not limit your choices, but increases the
options available to you. It in now way eliminates a funeral.
Optional services or ceremonies may precede or follow the actual
cremation. Prior to the cremation there may be a visitation and/or
funeral ceremony with the casketed body present. If a ceremony or
service is conducted following cremation, the receptacle containing the
cremated remains may take a place of prominence. This receptacle is
most commonly an urn, which is taken to its final resting place
following this ceremony.
Regardless of the order of events, it is for the benefit of the living that arrangements for a ceremony are made.
Viewing the body of the deceased can help bereaved persons begin to
overcome grief by more readily accepting the fact that a death has
occurred. Funeral ceremonies also have value in offering family and
friends and opportunity to honor their loved one.
Today, funeral arrangements are as individual as the persons for whom
and by whom they are made. A ceremony may be individualized to reflect
a specific interest or hobby of the deceased. It may highlight one's
occupation or ethnic background and therefore, hold special meaning for
those present.
The funeral ceremony is not unlike other ceremonies that distinguish
our lives. Baptisms, graduations, weddings and such all serve to
recognize a significant event in a person's life. The funeral ceremony
likewise recognizes the final event in a person's life and offers loved
ones a chance to say a last goodbye.
What Choices Are Available For Final Disposition Of Cremated Remains?
The decision regarding final disposition of cremated remains is usually
influenced by the type of memorialization desired. Just as ceremonies
offer value to the living, so does establishing a permanent memorial.
It serves as a focal point for the remembrance of a loved one and can
help in overcoming grief.
Usually cremated remains are placed in some type of permanent
receptacle or memorial urn before being committed to a final resting
place. The urn can be buried in a family plot or urn garden, where a
marker or headstone may be used to mark the site. Sometimes the urn is
kept in the home. The urn can also be placed in a memorial niche at a
cemetery, where it may be viewed through a protective glass or sealed
behind a memorial plaque.
Some cemeteries have special gardens where cremated remains may be
scattered. In areas wher it is permitted by law, cremate remains may be
scattered over land or water. However, this decision should be
carefully considered. Although the act of scattering over land or water
may have some romantic appeal, it is an irreversible decision. If no
permanent memorial site is established, survivors may later experience
regret, feeling that the bond is forever broken. The emotional value of
establishing a permanent memorial site is worthy of consideration. It
might also be possible to plant a tree of flowers in a significant
place to serve as memorial to the loved one who died.
What Costs Are Involved?
Costs vary somewhat from region to region and according to the type of
services that are used. Funeral services are like anything else; the
more elaborate the arrangement, the more they will cost. They can range
from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Local customs which
affect demand for the availability of facilities and services have an
influence on cost.
Other factors affecting cost include the type of service or ceremony
conducted, the choice of cremation casket or container, the selection
of a memorial urn and the form of memorialization.
Most crematories require a closed container to protect the health of
operators and for the dignity of the deceased. There are many cremation
caskets and containers from which to choose. A popular choice is a
hardwood casket, suitable for cremation and for ceremonies prior to the
cremation. In some areas, where accepted by the crematory, metal
caskets are chosen as well. In addition to fine hardwood and metal
caskets, minimum containers made of cardboard or particle board are
also available. Cremation caskets and containers costs will vary
according to the materials used and designs selected. Likewise,
memorial urns will vary in cost. Urns are made from a variety of
materials including bronze and various species of wood. Occasionally,
other materials are used, such as ceramic.
All aspects of funeral arrangements are a combination of personal
preference and financial circumstances. Your funeral service
professional can provide detailed information on all of the available
options along with specific costs for each. He or she can also explain
legal requirements and be sure all the proper forms are completed.
How Does A Funeral Service Professional Help In Making Arrangements?
A funeral service professional is trained to assist with every detail
of making funeral and cremation arrangements. This includes offering
advice and guidance throughout the decision-making process, answering
questions about local customs and costs, assuring that legal
requirements are met, and providing whatever equipment, facilities, and
technical services are necessary or desired. A qualified funeral
service professional is prepared to carry out the wishes of his or her
clientele with understanding and consideration for everyone concerned.
When it is practical or possible, making funeral arrangements in
advance can provide the peace of mind that all details have been taken
care of in a way that is satisfying to oneself and one's survivors. A
family discussion combined with the counsel of a funeral service
professional can assure that everyone involved feels comfortable with
the arrangements. Certainly we all would prefer that our loved ones be
able to say afterward, "I'm glad we did" rather than "I wish we had."
Preplanning can help accomplish this goal.
Today, making any kind of funeral arrangements involves many choices
and decision It is helpful to consider all the options and take time to
ask questions before making final decisions about such an important
event. It is the intent of the funeral service professional to help
make the entire experience as positive as possible.