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| Cremation What is the history of Cremation? Cremation is a very old process, dating back as far as the Stone Age. For much of human history Cremation was very common, both in the East and West. In the early Christian era Cremation declined in the West, since early Christians preferred earth burial. Current interest in Cremation was revived in the Western world in the late 1800's. Is Cremation now common in the U.S.? Cremation is the second most preferred form of final disposition in the United States. The most common is earth burial. Cremation currently accounts for over one-eighth of all final dispositions. Some predict that this figure will rise to 25% by the year 2000. Cremation tends to be most popular on the East and West coasts. Why do people select Cremation? Cremation is simply a matter of preference and choice. People have various reasons for selecting Cremation, influenced by ethnic background or family tradition. The concept that Cremation is selected because of perceived lower funeral costs or lack of land for earth burial is totally inaccurate. In only rare instances is land a concern, and funeral costs are based on fixed expenses and a family's selection of merchandise and services. Are there religious objections to Cremation? Most Christian churches do not object to Cremation, considering it an alternate choice for their members. Traditional Jewish law prohibits Cremation; however Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism do permit Cremation. If you have any questions concerning your religious denomination's views on Cremation, you may wish to discuss them with a member of your clergy, or with your Funeral Director What happens to the remains in Cremation? After Cremation is completed, the bone fragments and residue are encased in a small metal or plastic container and returned to the family or a designated person, such as the Funeral Director. What is done with these cremated remains? Family members have a variety of choices. They may elect to have the cremated remains buried in a family plot or placed within a mausoleum. The family may place the cremated remains in an urn. This urn then can be placed in a columbarium, which is a building especially designed to store urns. The urns are assigned recessed compartments, called "niches," which are encased in glass or ornamental stone. The urn may also be put in a special urn garden in a cemetery. Some families may select to keep the cremated remains at home, perhaps burying them in their garden. If this is the case, it is important to check any local laws and ordinances. Your Funeral Director will be able to advise you in these situations. Can we scatter the cremated remains? This, too, is an option. However, you may want to think very carefully before scattering cremated remains, as this is very final and irreversible. Over a period of time, bereaved persons find it reassuring to have some type of memorial to the person they've loved. In addition, some people find that the scattering of cremated remains is a very traumatic experience. Many crematories have gardens especially designed for scattering cremated remains. Families may have the option of having a personal memorial to the deceased within the garden, and can be reassured that the site will not be developed or used for other purposes in the future. Again, you will have to check local laws and ordinances. Is embalming necessary? The purpose of embalming is to disinfect and preserve a body for a limited period of time. If there is to be viewing with visitation, and/or funeral services with the body present, embalming is essential. There may also be health, legal or religious reasons that make embalming desirable or necessary. Do I have to purchase a casket? Some form of rigid container or casket will be needed to transport the body to the crematory and place it in the cremation chamber Generally this is made of a combustible material, such as wood. If viewing with visitation and services is desired, a casket will be needed. In some states funeral homes may rent caskets for a funeral, and make available for purchase another container for the Cremation. Do I need a Funeral Director? Funeral Directors usually provide many important functions. In most states a licensed Funeral Director is required to transport a body, obtain necessary permits and authorization, and process legal documents required at the time of death. Funeral Directors can also provide information about local laws and options. Is an urn necessary? Cremated remains are often returned in a small, plain container Many people prefer to have the cremated remains placed in an urn. In some cases, these urns will have very special meanings. People may elect to purchase urns that they consider appropriate to or symbolic of the deceased, or they may even make an urn to hold the cremated remains. In one case a woman's cremated remains were placed in a vase that had been very special to her. In another case, a noted ceramic artist made an urn for her late husband's cremated remains. If you are planning to use a columbarium, urn garden, mausoleum, or cemetery, you will need to review any requirements they may have. What is the cost of Cremation? In general, the cost of a Cremation is less than that of a burial. However, because families have so many options with a Cremation, these costs can vary widely. You may wish to discuss this with your Funeral Director to obtain an estimate for the selections you prefer Can a person be cremated immediately? Yes, in some instances. Many states have a forty-eight-hour waiting period from the time of death until the time a person can be cremated. This situation does necessitate embalming and/or refrigeration services when available. In all cases there is a time frame for obtaining necessary information and filling required permits and authorizations. Does Cremation affect the process of grief? With any method of funeral or final disposition, three aspects are important. The first is that survivors be comfortable with the choices made. Second, people often find it therapeutic to observe a death with some form of ceremony or memorial service. Third, many people find it helpful to have a place of memorialization of the person who died which they can visit later. As long as these three considerations are dealt with, the form of final disposition should not affect the grieving process. Sometimes with Cremation there is a tendency to shorten the time for grief. The grief process requires a period of time for recovery, for which each individual's need is different. It should be noted that even though the Jewish faith has a funeral and burial shortly after death, they have a grieving period of seven days following the service and do not work or do household duties to readjust their lives. Psychologically, people need to deal with their grief at the time of loss. This therapy enhances one's capacity to cope with the adjustment period which follows. Holly-Keck & Baker, Inc. |
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