Cremation – The Facts About Cremations and Cremation Services

The word Cremation causes different reactions with people or families and can cause strong emotional responses as well as many questions. From "Can we still have a funeral service" to "What happens in cremation and what can we do with the ashes?"

Cremation is simply another form of final disposition, and can be a low cost alternative for a respectful and dignified method of internment; allowing you flexibility in your choices of funeral and cemetery arrangements.

You could have a memorial service before the cremation, at the time of the cremation, or after the cremation. You can have services at your place of worship or the funeral home, or a chapel, or have no services at all.

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When a body is taken to a crematory it is usually in some type of casket or container, usually a cardboard box, for handling purposes. Then it is put inside the cremation chamber, lined with firebricks, and the temperature is raised between 1400 – 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The entire cremation process takes about three hours depending on the size and weight of the body.

The cremation process incinerates all soft tissue, leaving only bones and teeth. This is swept out and crushed into fine particles; making the remains small enough to be placed into a temporary container or urn.

From that point the remains are returned to the funeral director to be placed according to the family's wishes.

Cremation Urns

There are many types of urns available, from ornate bronze boxes, marble, granite, fiberglass or wood. There are even double urns available so the remains of two can be placed together in the same urn.

After cremation, there are numerous options available for disposition of the ashes, depending on the laws of the state. The remains can be retained by a family member, scattered on private property or at a special place that was significant to the deceased. The most common is burial in the cemetery. Many cemeteries allow an existing grave to be used and ashes can be placed on top of a previous burial or under the headstone. The remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or a columbarium where ashes can be placed into a niche. A columbarium is often located in a chapel or mausoleum, or is freestanding indoors or outdoors and is designed to hold urns containing cremated remains. Some niches have glass fronts where the name of the deceased and the dates can be read through the glass, while others have a bronze front with engraving on the outside of the niche.

Cremation Services

Cremation Societies are available and many offer services to families, but you should be careful as to which society you choose. Some have very unprofessional services and a low regard for the deceased and the manner in which they conduct business.

You should first consult the Better Business Bureau or like agencies before making a selection.

The majority of cremation societies offer just cremation and nothing more. They do the paperwork, make the removal, cremate and arrange for the final disposition. Quite often a local funeral director can do the same thing for about the same cost.

Cremation is used commonly by the county welfare officials when social services are contacted for help. This provides immediate cremation with no services, unless they are made by the family at their own expense.

You should choose cremation only if it is what you desire to do. It is a practice that has been used for thousands of years in other parts of the world. It is both dignified and respectful and is a low cost method of internment. When making funeral arrangements, it’s a good idea to price out all your options, including cremation and burial.