Cremation is steadily growing in popularity: predictions state that up to 85% of the population in the United States will choose cremation by the year 2035.
If you’re unfamiliar with cremation services, you may feel apprehensive if your loved one opts for cremation. Read on to learn about how to start the process.
When you think of cremation, you may just think of incinerating a body into ashes. However, there are many different types of cremation, based on what the recipient or the family wants.
If you are on a budget, direct cremation is a great option. The cremation company receives the body directly, initiates the cremation, and then gives the remains back to the family. The family or loved ones decide what to do with the cremated remains.
If you choose a funeral home that offers cremation, you will only have to pay for the cremation and any accessories you would like, such as an urn.
One downside of direct cremation is that you will not be able to have a memorial or traditional funeral service with the remains. However, if the cremated loved one wants something private and intimate, this may be the best choice for you.
Did you know that you can have a traditional funeral before cremating the body? This is known as a traditional cremation. For people who want a full funeral service with a casket, it is a wonderful compromise.
A traditional funeral works if you have many friends and family who want to personally pay respects. You can embalm the body and have a viewing or an open-casket funeral before the final cremation.
However, it is important that the funeral take place soon after the death so you can then proceed with the cremation. Once the body isn’t needed anymore, the traditional cremation can take place.
You may have heard about donating your body to science. Most of the time, this involves signing consent forms beforehand and having your body used for research purposes.
When you donate your body to science, it will not get cremated until after the research is complete. Cadavers can also be used to teach medical students.
The best part about donating your body to science is that it is completely free. You will be doing a favor to the research industry, because cadavers are very difficult to come by, and the body will still get cremated in the end.
A memorial service is a wonderful way to pay tribute to a loved one with no body present. This way, you can initiate the cremation directly after death.
Some memorial services involve displaying the ashes in an urn or scattering the ashes in a designated place. Most memorial services, however, involve appreciating the memory of the deceased and sharing grief together.
The memorial cremation is similar to a funeral service, except you will not have to pay for a casket. You will still have to cover the service, but you can opt for direct cremation instead.
Is your loved one passionate about the environment? A hydro cremation may be the perfect choice that holds true to their values and philosophy.
Hydro cremation is a more environmentally-friendly method of cremation. Rather than burning the body, it involves a sped-up decomposition process that takes place over several hours.
The soft tissues of the body dissolve, while the bone fragments turn into ashes that the family can have. This is almost identical to traditional cremation.
As for the carbon footprint, hydro cremation uses 75% less than traditional cremation. It also uses only a fraction of the energy of traditional cremation.
Although it can be stressful, it is important to consider your budget for cremation. As for cremation pricing, the cost will vary depending on the type of cremation you choose. It will also differ between cremation companies.
Overall, though, any cremation package will be cheaper than a traditional funeral. You may also be able to use life insurance to pay for the cremation services, depending on the types of payments that the cremation company offers.
Once you make arrangements, you need to ensure that you sign papers confirming the method of cremation, cost, and any other important factors. Save paper and digital copies to ensure you don’t lose them if you need them for reference.
Your loved one may have already bought a prepaid funeral plan to cover their death expenses. When you look at their finances, make sure to check if it is already covered before putting any of your own money down.
There are also specific insurance policies designed for cremation. If your insurance company does not offer cremation insurance, a more common plan is final expense insurance.
Once you go through the cremation process for your loved one, you need to figure out what to do with the ashes. If your loved one specified something in their will, then you should follow that directive.
However, if they did not choose a method to dispose of the ashes, it can be an incredibly difficult and personal decision for your family and friends.
You can choose one or multiple methods for dispersing the ashes. The pricing and restrictions can vary based on what you choose and where you live.
If your friend or family member enjoyed nature and conservation, there are plenty of options to think about when it comes to entombing their ashes. They can grow and help the environment, rather than just sitting on a shelf or in a burial plot.
For instance, if they were passionate about ocean conservation or coral reefs, they can have the ashes turned into a coral reef and buried at sea. The artificial reefs help restore dying parts of the ocean and bring marine life back to the area.
Ashes can also be turned into a tree or plant. You can have the tree planted anywhere you would like, whether it is someone special to your loved one or on your property.
Contrary to popular belief, you can still buy a burial plot if someone undergoes cremation, rather than a traditional burial. You may be able to purchase a smaller plot or forgo some of the cost because they will not have to lower a casket into the ground.
A burial plot is a wonderful choice because you can visit them, similar to visiting the graves of your other loved ones. Many cemeteries even offer sections specifically for cremated remains. They are often much more cost-effective than a whole burial plot in the ground.
For example, if the deceased wants cremation and their spouse wants traditional burial, a burial plot is a good option for them to rest together.
Once your cremation company gives the ashes back to you, you have the complete freedom to choose what to do with them. Nowadays, there are many businesses that turn ashes into beautiful keepsakes.
If you want to keep them close to you, you can send in some of the ashes and have them turned into jewelry. This only requires a small amount of ashes.
Some artists use the ashes to make blown glass pieces, which look great in your home, or a shadowbox. A piece of art can be a sweet reminder that is not as morbid as an urn.
There is nothing stopping you if you want to go traditional. Many cremation pricing packages also include the cost of the urn. You will typically find a selection of urns at a cremation facility or funeral home.
You can also order a customized urn online if you want something more personal. You may have to keep the ashes in a box or bag temporarily before transferring them to the urn.
Urns come in many different shapes and sizes, from a traditional vase-like structure to a discreet box. If you want to split the ashes between multiple people, you can pick out different urns in smaller sizes.
Scattering ashes is one of the most popular choices to dispose of the remains. You can choose a place that was important to your loved one and lay them to rest there without worrying about burial permits.
Typically, scattering the ashes involves family and friends gathering in a special location and taking parts of the ashes to scatter together. It can be a great bonding experience and bring closure to the grieving period.
You should not have to worry about how to dispose of the remains of your loved one. With this guide, you can ensure cremation services go smoothly for your friend or family member.
Would you like to learn more about Lone Star Cremation? Take a look around our website or contact us today for more information.
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