Cremation

Cremation is an alternative to the traditional ground burial. When selecting cremation, consideration should be given to the type of services that one desires to celebrate the life lived. The same services that are available for a traditional burial are also available for cremation. It is possible to still have a viewing, a funeral ceremony, and/or a memorial service. Once the services are determined, you can choose the casket and urn which is best suited for your needs. Your funeral director offers choices to personalize the services, casket or urn as a further memorial to your loved one.

Services
Cremation may take place before or after the funeral ceremony. Cremating the body following the funeral service allows for viewing, and also allows the body to be present for the funeral service. If a family decides on cremation before the service, the cremated remains are placed in a cremation urn, which may be present at the memorial service.

The cremation urn may be buried, placed in a columburium or taken home as a memorial. The cremated remains may also be scattered in accordance with local and state ordinances. Appropriate urns are available for whichever disposition of the remains is chosen.

Scattering
You may choose to scatter the cremated remains yourself or your funeral director can assist you in making arrangements. If you choose to scatter the remains yourself and on private property, be sure to check local and state ordinances.

Some companies that offer scattering services at sea provide charters that allow you to be present at the scattering. If you are unable to be present, you may be able to receive a video documenting the scattering. Other services may include the presence of clergy for a psalm reading or simple ceremony before the remains are scattered. Another option is to have your loved one''s remains launched into space. For more information on scattering services, talk to your funeral director.

Cremation gardens are beautifully landscaped gardens designed specifically for the scattering of cremated remains. Many gardens offer memorial plaques or markers that can be placed where the scattering took place as a memorial for your loved one. Some gardens also have urn gardens in which cremation urns can be buried in a garden setting instead of interment in a cemetery or columbarium.

Keepsake Urns
Keepsakes are smaller urns that hold a very small portion of the cremated remains. The concept of the keepsake urn is to allow each family member to have a small amount of the cremated remains with an appropriate container thus creating a personal memorial to the deceased. In today''s mobile society, many familes live far apart and are not able to visit an out-of-state cemetary or mausoleum. Keepsake urns allow for a nearby memorial. Many cremation urns offer matching keepsakes with styles ranging from subtle memorials to exquisite works of art.

Keepsake Jewelry
Beautiful keepsake jewelry is created using a small portion of the cremated remains. Pendants, necklaces and earrings are made using gold, silver or glass. Keepsake jewelry keeps the memory of your loved one close to you.

Crystal, Clay and Bronze Artwork
These tasteful works of art are a one of a kind memorial to your loved one. An artist works the cremated remains in glass, clay or bronze mediums. In glass, the remains give a colorful display of light. Some companies can even create a stone memorial marker utilizing the cremated remains of the deceased.


Education on Cremation

Cremation, as a method of disposition, is a time honored and dignified funeral rite that has been practiced for centuries. It was a traditional part of elegant rites performed in ancient Rome, Greece, Native American nations, Thailand and India. It was also a form of tribute used to honor leaders including high lamas of Tibet and Viking kings who were cremated on ships set aflame at sea.

Cremation is a highly personal choice. For some, it is a departure from family burial tradition. Choosing cremation is a reflection of an individual''s beliefs and preferences. There are various reasons why people choose cremation over burial. These reasons range from environmental concerns to religious beliefs. You can obtain more detailed information on cremation from your funeral director.

Identification
Due to the permanent nature of cremation, positive identification of the body is required before cremation can take place. Many states require a waiting period before a body can be cremated. If there won''t be a viewing, the body is refrigerated until cremation. If there will be a viewing prior to cremation, the body will need to be embalmed. Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body.

Once positive identification has been made, the body is placed in a cremation casket or cremation container. Cremation caskets are made of wood and have few metal bars and hinges. If a cremation casket is not used, federal law requires that the body be placed in a cremation container. The cremation container, made from corrugated materials, is a combustible, covered container that must be leakproof. These containers are available from your funeral home.

Some cremation providers allow you to witness the cremation casket or container being placed into the cremation chamber. In some cases, you can even start the cremation process. If you are interested in being present during this process, please inform your funeral director in advance.

Important Considerations
Certain medical devices such as pacemakers and radioactive implants can be potentially hazardous to cremation personnel during the cremation process. Pacemakers can explode in the extreme heat. Please inform your funeral director if your loved one has any type of medical device. They must be removed prior to cremation. It is possible to recycle pacemakers and protheses.

Cremation Process
During cremation, the body is exposed to intense heat (1400 - 2000 degrees Fahrenheit) for a period of 2-3 hours. During this time all matter is consumed with the exception of bone fragments, metal casket hinges, jewelry or protheses. Cremation time varies with the size and weight of the body. After cremation is complete, the cremated remains are allowed to cool and then removed from the cremation chamber.

The utmost care is taken when removing the cremated remains. Special brushes, rakes and other equipment are used to remove the remains from the cremation chamber. It is important to note that it is virtually impossible to recover all of the remains. A small amount will be left behind and commingle with the next cremation. Large bone fragments are further processed for placement inside an urn or temporary container. Be assured that each cremation is done individually. Non-combustible items that remain after cremation such as metal, jewelry, etc are removed and disposed of in a non-recoverable manner in accordance with applicable laws. Since you will be unable to recover any non-combustible items after the cremation, you must notify your funeral director prior to cremation if you would like jewelry or other items removed from the deceased.

The cremated remains look similar to crushed seashells and can weigh between four and eight pounds depending upon the size of the person cremated. The remains will be placed in a temporary plastic or cardboard container if an urn has not yet been chosen.

Cremation may take place before or after the funeral ceremony. Cremating the body following the funeral service allows for viewing, and also allows the body to be present for the funeral service. If a family decides on cremation before the service, the cremated remains are placed in a cremation urn, which may be present at the memorial service.

The cremation urn may be buried, placed in a columburium or taken home as a memorial. The cremated remains may also be scattered in accordance with local and state ordinances. Appropriate urns are available for whichever disposition of the remains is chosen.