Cremation...a personal choice
Whether you are considering cremation or would just like more information
on the subject, this booklet is designed to give you some information
and background about the types of services, memorializations, ritulizations,
and other choices that are available.
Cremation is a very personal choice. You must determine what form of
preparation for the final disposition you desire. Whether you choose
earth burial, entombment, or cremation, it is wise consider the emotional
needs of your survivors. By including your family and loved ones in
your decisions, you may avoid the possibility of added stress during
a very emotional time for your survivors.
Cremation is a process used to prepare the body for final disposition.
Through the use of intense heat and direct flames, the body is reduced
to bone fragments. Cremation is not intended to replace elements of
the traditional funeral which may include any or all of the following:
a service or ceremony at a church, funeral home chapel, lodge or other
location; a visitation, viewing or wake; a graveside service. It is
simply an alternative to earth burial or entombment of the body of the
deceased.
Your local Golden Rule Funeral Home can provide you with the information
to help you make the personal choices that best fit your needs no matter
what type of services you choose.
History & Religious Beliefs
The age-old practice of cremation has been traced back as far as
the Bronze Age (4000 B.C.- 1000 B.C.). In the book, Cremation and the
Funeral Director, Michael W. Kubasak identifies the many shifts in the
post-death funeral practices throughout history. He explains that the
research of the history of funeral practices indicates that changes
in dominant religious, philosophical or cultural beliefs systems are
usually the factors that cause these shifts.
Contrary to what some believe, the more contemporary practice of cremation
is certainly not just a recent trend as it dates back to the middle
of the 19th Century. Practiced throughout the world as a method of preparing
the body for the final disposition, cremation is a commonly performed
in several Asian and European countries and is becoming more prevalent
in North America.
Historians say residents of Athens and Ancient Greece developed the
tradition of cremating the bodies of their warriors on the battlefield.
After the cremation, they would return the cremated remains to Athens
for ceremony and entombment.
Since then the methods of preparing the body for final disposition,
as well as the types of rituals, services and gatherings, have varied
greatly from time to time from place to place. Cremation was used in
Scandinavia during the Bronze and Early Middle Ages, in Rome during
the period of the republic, and in England under Queen Victoria's reign.
The construction of the first crematory in the United States was in
Pennsylvania in 1876. Between 1886 and 1900 cremations represented less
than 1 percent of deaths. Today 20 percent of the deaths in the United
States result in cremation, and by the year 2000, it is predicted that
25 percent of Americans will choose cremation. Canada's cremation rate
is 36 percent with a projected 44 percent by the year 2000.
Research from the Cremation Association of North America highlights
eight trends that contributed to the increase in cremation.
- Increasing life expectancy
- Increasing migration to retirement locations
- Diminishing regional differences
- Changes origins of immigrants
- Rising Educational level
- Cremation is becoming more acceptable as a normal form of preparation
for the final disposition.
- Less ties to tradition
- Environmental considerations
Along with these trends, reasons for choosing cremation range from
a personal preference and monetary concerns to religious beliefs. Because
religious beliefs concerning cremation have varied greatly in the past,
you may want to check with you clergy person before making a final decision.
Regardless, almost all religions encourage permanent memorializations
of cremated remains.
Services and Gatherings
Many believe that if you choose cremation, you are limited to a very
simple service or no service at all. The fact is, cremation in no way
prevents family and friends from participating in traditions, ceremonies,
or rituals of a funeral service.
Again, like the earth burial or entombment, there are many options:
cremation with public or private viewing only, cremation with viewing
and/or ceremonies with no ceremonies, cremation with full ceremonies,
or cremation with no ceremonies. This is a list of the most common choices,
but you can personalize services to suit you family traditions or customs.
When many people realize these choices are available, the majority
select some type of ceremony, viewing, etc. Ceremonies and viewings
are intended to help survivors by providing an opportunity to acknowledge
the loss and by offering a sense of closure. They provide a time for
loved ones to release their feelings and share their grief, so the healing
process may begin.
Memorial service
The only difference between a funeral service is at times the body
is not present at the memorial service. However, during a memorial service
cremated remains may be present in an urn. Many times the family will
have chosen the option to view the body before cremation and the memorial
service.
Cremation with No Ceremony
A funeral director should be contacted for removal of the deceased when
the choice is cremation with no ceremony or immediate cremation with
no ceremony. However, immediate cremation is desired, it generally takes
place without embalming, viewing, ceremony, gathering, or other elements
of a funeral service. Survivors often regret not having some form of
service, ceremony or viewing to provide the opportunity to say good-bye.
It has been proven that taking part in the processes of arranging and
attending funeral ceremonies can be therapeutic. So, be sure to consider
all of your options before making this decision.
The Process
Cremation of a human being is a process that prepares the body for
its ultimate disposition. Ultimate disposition may be earth burial,
entombment, placement in a niche or in a garden within a cemetery, scattered
at sea, or holding in a safe keeping by a family member or their designated
representative.
Before the cremation process may take place may take place, certain
medical devices and/or implants must be removed from the body. These
may include pacemakers, prosthesis, mechanical and radioactive devices,
or other implants. Not removing these items could cause damage to the
cremation chamber or to crematory personal. The funeral director also
needs to know if the deceased was treated with any radioactive medication.
The body is placed into a cremation casket or a combustible cremation
container of some kind. The casket or container and the body are placed
into the cremation chamber and consumed by the intense heat and flames.
All soft tissues are vaporized, and the skeletal body framework is reduced
to bone fragments and particles. Specific requirements may apply in
cases where crematories allow the use of metal caskets.
Cremated remains normally weigh between four and eight pounds. This
can vary depending on the individual. The cremated remains will be placed
in an urn or cremated remains container used to hold the cremated remains
of a human being.
Embalming
Requirements for embalming vary depending on selection of services
made by the family and state/local or provincial law. If the family
chooses to view the body, embalming is generally necessary according
to funeral home policy. Normally, in the case of immediate cremation,
embalming is not required. Be sure you understand the regulations for
your area. Consult with your Golden Rule Funeral Home because regulations
may vary in your state or providence.
Memorialization Options
Selecting the appropriate memorialization is also an important decision.
The memorial should be given considerable thought as it will represent
a permanent dedication to the deceased and a formal place of refection
for generations that follow.
Cremation offers several memorialization options. Your funeral director
can give you ideas based on your specific circumstances and wishes such
as bronze memorials, monuments, and plaques to be placed on a fraternal
or Veteran's memorial, grave or niche. Sometimes you can choose a plaque
and place it on a tree or bench at the cemetery or memorial park.
Expenses
Like earth burial or entombment, the expense of a cremation can
vary greatly depending on your choice of services, final disposition,
cremation container and urn selection. Your golden Rule Funeral Home
will discuss all of your options and costs with you.
Final Disposition Options
"What should be done with the cremated remains?" This
is another important decision when choosing cremation. Again, you have
several options.
Some prefer to keep the cremated remains in their personal possession.
Others feel it is more appropriate to put the remains in a formal or
permanent location.
It is common to bury the urn just as you would bury a casket. This
allows families to remain together in a burial plot regardless of each
family member's choice of preparation for final disposition. The burial
sites offers a permanent place for loved ones to visit and reflect on
the life of the deceased. Burial can also be in an urn garden or private
crypt.
A columbarium also provides a permanent place for the family to visit.
The columbarium niche is marked with a nameplate listing dates of birth
and death. This choice is ideal for those who prefer above ground entombment.
Scattering is also an option for final disposition of cremated remains.
Cremated remains are often spread over a lake, river, ocean, mountain,
field, or scattering garden. If you are interested in scattering, your
funeral director can give you details about regulations in your area
and can also make arrangements. This is entirely a personal choice and
one that should be carefully considered. Think of the future generations
before you make your decision because once it is done it is irreversible.
Prearrangement
Often times people wish to arrange their funeral, so their family
doesn't have to make the difficult decisions during their time of grief.
This is also possible when considering cremation. Prepaying allows you
to eliminate another worry for your survivors. If you are interested
in a prearrangement, please discuss it with your family first. Your
Golden Rule Funeral Home can help you with preplanning and funding options.
It is a good idea to let at least one person close to you know of your
wishes. This will eliminate any added stress to your family at the time
of death.
It's your choice
We hope this booklet has given you some insight as to what options you
have when choosing cremation. Just remember that cremation is a very
personal choice.
Please call your Golden Rule Funeral Home if you have further questions
or if additional information to help you make this important, personal
decision.
