Considering Cremation? Here’s What you Need to Know
Cremation is becoming increasingly popular. In 2007, the United States’ cremation rate was 34.2%. By 2022, 59.0% chose cremation. More and more people are recognizing the many benefits of this method of handling remains.
There’s no single correct answer to the question of how to deal with remains. Each person or family needs to find the solution most compatible with their priorities, finances, and beliefs. To help you make the most informed decision, we’ll dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding cremation and clarify the advantages. If you are considering cremation for your deceased loved one or your own funeral pre-planning, here’s what you need to know:
Cremation Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Have a Funeral
One thing that holds back many people from choosing cremation is the misconception that you can’t have a funeral with cremated remains. This is untrue. If having the body present at the service is meaningful to you, you can opt to cremate after the funeral.
If it is the ceremony part of the funeral that feels most valuable, you can have the cremains–the cremated remains–present.
Some families choose to have a service with eulogies, music, and other tributes to the deceased without the presence of the remains.
This memorial service can have all the same elements of a traditional funeral with the body present. For many loved ones, it is the intent of honoring the deceased that is important. You don’t need to sacrifice that if you opt for cremation.
If you are pre-planning your own arrangements, rest assured you can be properly remembered, mourned, and celebrated if you choose cremation.
If you choose cremation, you can still have whatever type of service you feel properly honors your loved one and their legacy. Whether that is a traditional funeral with the body present, a memorial service with either cremains or no remains at all, or some other ceremony of remembrance, cremation won’t stand in your way.
Most Religions Support Cremation
You can be religious and choose cremation for yourself or your loved one. Many major religions do permit cremation, though there may be specifications on how the cremains need to be handled after the cremation.
If compliance with religious practices is critical in your decision about final disposition, consult with your spiritual advisor. Even if you believe your religion does not permit cremation, you may find out that with proper handling of the cremains, cremating is still a viable choice.
Your Cremains Will Never Be Mixed with Others’
The fear of mixing remains is another misconception that prevents people from considering cremation. It is illegal to cremate multiple bodies together. You can rest assured that the cremains you receive will be those of your loved one and only your loved one.
You Can Have Someone Witness the Cremation
Cremation providers understand the sensitive nature of their business. They treat all remains with dignity and respect. However, if you feel more comfortable having someone present during the process, many providers will allow that.
You must arrange a witnessed cremation beforehand, and there may be limited time windows. If you want to have someone present to witness a cremation, communicate that early in your discussions with a provider.
If you are considering cremation but hesitant because you dislike the idea of the remains being unaccompanied during the process, witnessed cremation may be an option for you.
You Don’t Need to Visit a Funeral Home
Unless you choose to hold a service at a funeral home for someone who has been or will be cremated, you can avoid visiting that facility. When choosing cremation, you can make arrangements over the phone or email. Some providers may have advisors that will come to your home.
This streamlined process can be especially beneficial when you or your loved ones are grieving and navigating the many decisions and processes that follow a death. One less task on an already-overwhelming list is a kindness to those left behind.
With cremation, you simplify the process of body disposal, and you decrease the burden on those making final arrangements, leaving them more time to properly grieve or honor your legacy.
Cremation Allows for More Personalization
When you choose burial for final disposition, you select one burial location and a grave marker. That’s about the extent of the options. With cremation, those traditional choices are still available to you. An urn, niche, or columbarium–a room or building with niches for cremains–takes the place of the grave and headstone.
However, you can also opt for more creative options. You can have cremains made into jewelry, used in tattoo ink, or integrated into artwork. You can even opt to do all those things, each using a small amount of the cremated remains.
This flexibility can be beneficial when dealing with multiple family members who have differing visions of the proper way to honor their deceased loved one. Cremation means you don’t need to find a single answer to the question of what final disposition should look like. You can be creative in handling the cremains, finding the answer or answers that seem like the most fitting tribute for the deceased.
Cremains Can Move with You
People move frequently, relocating for work, school, relationships, finances, or climate. When a loved one is buried, moving means leaving them behind. It can be painful or stressful to be unable to visit someone’s final resting place. With cremation, you have portability. An urn can easily travel with you.
If the deceased’s loved ones don’t live near each other, they can choose to divide the remains. This division allows everyone to continue to feel closely connected to the deceased.
Cremation doesn’t tether your final legacy and place of remembrance to one fixed location.
You Should Compare Prices
When dealing with something as sensitive as the final disposal of remains, some people hesitate to think too much about price. However, you aren’t better honoring your deceased loved one just because you paid more for an identical service. Cremation prices vary significantly by geographic location and provider. There’s nothing wrong with contacting several funeral homes to inquire about prices by phone or email.
Providers may use different terms for the same services. It’s okay to ask questions to ensure you understand what you will be getting, what is included, and what may cost extra. If all of this feels uncomfortable, it shouldn’t. There’s no need to spend more money on cremation services than necessary.
You Can Pre-plan Cremation
As mentioned, some loved ones hesitate to compare prices when dealing with body disposition. You can prevent them from having to worry about this process, as well as save them money, by choosing to pre-plan your cremation. If you feel cremation is the best option for you, you can remove a burden from the shoulders of your loved ones by making the arrangements now. You can lock in today’s prices, even if your death doesn’t occur for years or decades.
Better still, you can make decisions and purchases now. That prevents your loved ones from having to make these choices while they are dealing with the emotions associated with your death. Pre-planning means freeing them from that obligation and the stress and anxiety of having to guess what you would have wanted. That is a gift you can leave your heirs. Funeral pre-planning saves money and saves your family from making confusing, difficult choices as they grieve.
With space for everything becoming more scarce, it’s no wonder cremation is growing in popularity in the United States and many other countries. Traditional burials use up valuable land and sink wood, metal, and chemical pollutants into the ground.
Cremation cuts down on land use and reduces costs, time, and stress for those left behind after death. That’s even more true if you choose to pre-plan cremation. If you’ve never considered any option beyond a traditional burial, think about whether cremation might be the final disposition choice for yourself or a loved one.
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