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WHAT IS CREMATION? The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times. Today it is more common in western Europe and Japan than in the United Stated and Canada, where traditional earth burial is most often the choice. Perhaps this is why some people in our society have misconceptions about cremation, regarding it more as an end in itself. In recent years, however, there has been more open discussion on the subject of death, dying and funerals in general, and the role of cremation within the overall process. Cremation is, in fact, only one in a series of events. It is a process in which the body is prepared for final disposition and, as such, is not complicated or mysterious. Over a period of 2 to 3 hours the body is transformed by intense heat to a state of small skeletal fragments, not fine ash as some people imagine. The cremated remains of an average adult with from three to seven pounds. They are generally placed in a small cardboard box or other temporary container by the crematory. Afterwards, the cremated remains are returned to the family or others responsible for making the decision as to final disposition of the cremated remains.
Certainly. 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. Psychologists have established that denial is a natural part of the grieving process. Furthermore, 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 a value in offering family and friends an opportunity to honour their loved one. Today, contemporary 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 like. The funeral ceremony likewise recognizes the final event in a person's life and offers loved ones a chance to say a last goodbye.
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 urn, before being committed to a final resting place. Sometimes the urn is kept in the home. More often, it is places in a columbarium niche where it may be viewed through a protective glass or sealed behind a memorial plaque. Burial in a cemetery plot or an urn garden are other options which provide for the placement of a memorial plaque or marker at the site. Some cemeteries have special gardens where cremated remains may be scattered. In areas where it is permitted by law, cremated 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 site is established, survivors may later experience regret, feeling that the bond is forever broken. For this reason, a plaque or maker in the general vicinity of the scattering site may be desirable. It might also be possible to plant a tree or flowers in a significant place to serve as a memorial to the one who died.
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 arrangements, 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 the cost include the type of ceremony conducted, the choice of cremation container or casket, the form of memorialization, the selection of a urn, and so on. Urns are made from a variety of materials including marble, ceramic, bronze or hardwood and are of different designs to suit individual preferences. Their costs will vary according to the materials used and design selected. Likewise, cremation containers will vary in cost. Most crematories require a closed container to protect the health of the operators and for the dignity of the deceased. Minimum containers made of cardboard or particle board are generally available. Attractive hardwood caskets are suitable for cremation and for ceremonies prior to cremation. In some areas, where accepted by the crematory, metal caskets are often chosen as well. All aspects of funeral arrangements are a combination of personal preference and financial circumstances. A funeral service professional can provide detailed information on all the services available along with specific costs for each. He or she can also explain legal requirements and be sure all the proper forms are completed.
A funeral service professional is trained and licensed to assist in 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 cost, 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 of need 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 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 afterwards "I'm glad we did" rather that "I wish we had." Pre-Planning can help accomplish this goal. Today, making any kind of funeral arrangements involves many choices and decisions. 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.
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