If a loved one who has passed has

previously expressed a preference for cremation or having their physical

remains casketed and buried, then that decision has been made for you.

However, in some instances, a person's desires may not be known.

In

that case, family members who are planning the funeral service will

need to decide what to do. Of course, there is no "right" or "wrong"

approach-ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference. However,

there are several factors to consider as you make your decision. They

include religious or spiritual beliefs, finances, ecological

considerations, and others.

Understanding Cremation

Cremation

is the process of reducing a person's physical remains to brittle,

calcified bone fragments. These fragments are commonly referred to as

the person's ashes. You may also hear them called cremains, which is

short for cremated remains.

The

practice of cremation goes back thousands of years and has been used by

cultures around the world. Today, it continues to be a process that is

handled with the utmost care and respect for a deceased person's

physical remains after they have passed.

Cremation

is performed in a crematory. There, the body is kept in a cool,

climate-controlled environment until it is time for the process to

begin. In preparation, any items like prostheses, pacemakers, etc. are

removed from the body. It is then placed in a casket made of flammable

materials, which is put into the cremation chamber.

The

casket and remains are exposed to high heat for two to three hours to

reduce them to cremains. The cremains are then cooled and subsequently

processed into a pebble-like material and placed in a receptacle called

an urn. This urn, which is chosen and purchased by family members, is

then given to them.

Cremation

can take place before or after a funeral ceremony, and the final

disposition of the cremains can be handled in various ways. Some

families choose to have the urn buried (sometimes called interred) in a

gravesite or placed in a building called a mausoleum. Others keep the

urn in their home.

Another

common way to honor a loved one is to scatter their ashes in a favorite

place. This is subject to any rules about doing so in that location, of

course.

A

loved one's cremains can be kept together, or divided among family

members. Some people choose to have a small bit of the cremains turned

into, or placed within, a piece of memorial jewelry such as a locket.

Important Considerations About Cremation and Traditional Casketing and Burial

As

you think about whether cremation or traditional casketing and burial

is appropriate for your loved one's physical remains, some of the

considerations that likely will come to mind include:

• The person's spiritual or religious views. Many

  belief systems view cremation as a very dignified way to handle a

  person's physical body after they die. However, there are some that

  discourage cremation in favor of traditional burial.

• Cost.

  The cost of cremation typically

  is approximately one-third of a traditional burial. Keep in mind that if

  a person has life insurance, that policy can serve as a form of

  cremation insurance or burial insurance in that its proceeds can be used

  to pay for costs for either process.

• Family availability for a funeral service. In

  some cases, it may be difficult for family members who live far away to

  get to the site of a funeral service in a timely manner. In those

  instances, it may be best to have a person's physical remains cremated

  so that the service or scattering of ashes can be scheduled at a time

  that allows the most loved ones to be present.

• Environmental concerns. Casketed

  burial takes up physical space that is in ever-shorter supply. However,

  cremation requires the use of fuel to reduce the body to ashes and

  produces emissions that are a form of pollution, so these factors must

  be weighed if environmental impact is an issue for the family.

These

aspects can be considered in short order if necessary. However, it is

ideal if they can be addressed before a person passes so that the person

can express their preference if they choose to and also so that the

decision-making process can be unhurried.

Additional Decisions To Be Made Regarding Cremation or Traditional Burial

When deciding on cremation or traditional burial, other choices to be made include:

• Clothing that the deceased person will wear.

  As

  with traditional burial, a body is dressed to prepare it for cremation.

  If a person who has died had a favorite outfit, or a uniform, perhaps,

  in the case of military service members, they can be wearing it in their

  casket.

• Mementos to be placed in the casket. Whether

  cremation or traditional burial is chosen, loved ones can place certain

  types of items-photographs, notes, etc.-in the casket if they choose

  to.

• Participation of family members in the cremation process. In

  the case of cremation, family and friends may be able to be in the

  crematory when the process takes place. This can be an important and

  healthy part of "letting go" of the person's physical remains.

• The urn or other container to be used for the person's cremains. A

  wide variety of urns, from simple to more decorative, can be purchased

  to contain the individual's cremated remains. The decision on an urn

  will likely be driven, in part, by the final disposition of the ashes.

  For example, if the urn will simply hold the ashes prior to them being

  scattered, a simpler urn or box may be appropriate. Whereas, if the urn

  will be buried as part of a funeral service, a more elaborate container

  may be preferred.

Guidance on Disposition of Physical Remains and Funeral Service Planning

Decisions

on the disposition of a person's physical remains are very personal.

However, our caring staff members at Greenwood & Myers Mortuary are

always happy to provide insights from other funeral services we have

assisted with if you feel that such input would be helpful.

Please

contact us at your convenience to discuss the different options and approaches available.

About Greenwood & Myers Mortuary

We know there are other funeral homes in the area to choose from. But we also know that families who turn to us during a time of loss, or for pre-arrangement services experience our very high standards of service. We offer professional guidance and personal and specialized attention before, during and after the loss of a loved one. Our reputation for honesty and integrity is very well-known, and it is our most valuable asset. https://www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com/

Greenwood & Myers Mortuary Media Contact: Mike Greenwood | (303) 440-3960

Original Source of the original story >> Considerations for Choosing Between Cremation or Traditional Funeral Service from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary

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