Cremation is the technical heating process that reduces human remains to bone fragments.  This reduction takes place through heat and evaporation.      
 
Most historians generally agree that cremation began in any real sense during the early stone age, most likely in Europe.  Since the invention of the cremation chamber in 1873 by Professor Brunetti of Italy, cremation has become an accepted means of disposition.  

Dr. Julius LeMoyne built the first crematory on this continent in 1876 in Washington, Pennsylvania.  Today, in Ohio, about 20 percent of the population chooses cremation for final disposition.

-Memorialization:  
There has been some misconception in regards to cremation and services. The choice of cremation as a means of final disposition replaces the choice of earth burial, and does not necessarily have to be substitute for the funeral.

It has become common for those choosing cremation to opt for a visitation with viewing & funeral services followed then by cremation. This type of arrangement allows the family and community to gather and support each other through the loss. A visitation with viewing is proven to be therapeutic for survivors, while the funeral service affords the opportunity to say good-bye to our loved one while honoring the life lived. Caskets made specifically for cremation, or cremation rental caskets are used for the services in this type of arrangement. Following the funeral, rather than proceed to the cemetery, the body is cremated in the casket or appropriate container. The cremated remains are then placed in a temporary container or a container commonly referred to as an urn.

The term Memorial Service denotes services without the body present, and is another option for those choosing cremation. Services of this kind can still be accompanied by a period of visitation for family and friends. Visitation can be the day prior to services, or for the hours just prior to the service. An urn is typically placed at the front of the chapel with flowers and other personalized tributes per a family's request.

We are often asked what most people do with the cremated remains following the cremation itself. Following placement into the selected container, the remains are either buried, scattered, or kept by a member of the family. Burial and the marking of a grave gives family members a place to go as they mourn, or to honor on special days, and seems to be most common choice in our area.

We offer a unique selection room designed specifically for those choosing cremation, that houses over 25 urns, four cremation caskets, several urn vaults, and even momento and jewelry urns. Engraving is available to personalize the urn, if desired.

Because cremation is chosen, your options for creating a meaningful service should not be limited. Mann-Hare Funeral Home offers the most extensive selections for those choosing cremation with the well-being of survivors in mind. Also, with our on-site crematory, we are the only funeral home in the area that can say we control every step of the cremation process, which should also provide a peace of mind.


The above photo depicts a Pine Cremation Casket used for visitation, Funeral, and cremation.

For Information about our cremation services, please click on Contact Us.  We will be happy to answer your questions.