Cremation Information

Cremation Information

Explore Our Cremation Services

Part of making funeral arrangements on behalf of a loved one involves choosing between burial of the body, or cremation. Certainly this is a big decision, based on any number of factors: religious or spiritual beliefs, finances, or ecological awareness are just some of the reasons we've heard for choosing cremation. Before you can make the choice, you need to know exactly what it is you're considering. You can learn the basics below, however, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call. One of our cremation specialists will address any of your inquiries or concerns.

Cremation Explained

The Cremation Association of North America describes cremation as, "The mechanical and/or thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments".  On our page, The Cremation Process, we offer a deeper look at the most common cremation process which uses extreme heat.

As we said earlier, people choose cremation over burial of casketed remains for any combination of reasons. Sometimes it's the simple fear of burial itself, which may stem directly from the Victorian phobia of being buried alive. 

What is Required to Arrange for Cremation Service?

Once the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, all that's required is authorization. This is provided by the person who is the legally identified or appointed next-of-kin. Once all authorization documents are signed, and service charges are paid; the body can be transported from the place of death to the crematory and the cremation process can take place. However, there are some additional things you may wish to consider, such as:
  • Is there a special set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? This will be a focus of the cremation arrangement conversation, and you will be advised by your funeral director as to your best options regarding jewelry or other valuable personal items.
  • Are there any keepsake items you'd like to include in their cremation casket? Perhaps there's a special memento, such as a treasured photograph or letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards, notes or letters to their deceased loved one, and place them in the casket prior to the cremation.
  • Would you or other family members like to be present for–or participate to some degree in–your loved one's cremation? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in an act of "letting go", we welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into the crematory. Please discuss your desire to participate with your funeral director.
  • What will you keep the cremated remains or ashes in after the cremation or the service? Many families are simply unaware that they can purchase a cremation urn to be placed in a special place such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns that will help memorialize your loved one. Ask one of our caring funeral director's to see the wide variety of urns.

Why Choose Cremation?

Our cremation services are one of the most popular options people choose when deciding what to do with their remains. In fact, nearly 50% in the United States result in cremation - and that number grows every year. Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation over traditional casketed burial. There are several reasons that cremation might work for you:
  • Flexibility: If you choose cremation, you have many more options available to you than traditional burial options. You can choose to inter your remains in a columbarium, in a decorative urn, or scattered by loved ones in a meaningful location. Cremating your remains also allows your loved ones to be more flexible as they plan your memorial.
  • Convenience: Cremated remains don’t need to be interred immediately; this allows your loved ones to make arrangements when it’s convenient. As more Americans live farther from their hometowns and family members, and as family burial plots have become less popular, cremation has become a practical way to care for a loved one's remains.
  • Eco-Friendliness: Cremation is incredibly eco-friendly when compared to traditional burials, as it uses less energy and doesn’t use up the land space. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the ground water.
  • Cost: Cremation is the preferred choice for anyone on a budget, especially if you choose less traditional methods of internment.

Are You Ready to Talk About Our Cremation Services?

We want you to know that no matter your reasons for choosing cremation, we're here to help you explore your options. When you're ready, call us to set an appointment or simply drop by our office. You can also send us an email via our online contact us form.
Sources:
  1. What is Cremation, Cremation Association of North America
  2. Mathisen, Tyler, "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry"
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