Why Choose Cremation: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing a loved one is a challenging experience, and navigating the various end-of-life options can feel overwhelming. One increasingly popular choice is cremation. In this guide, we will explore why many individuals and families choose cremation and provide a detailed overview of the cremation process. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what cremation is, the cost, and the available options for honoring and memorializing a loved one who has chosen cremation.

What is Cremation?

Cremation is a method of disposition that transforms a deceased individual's body into ashes through intense heat. 

Unlike traditional burial, where the body is buried intact in the ground, cremation uses a specialized furnace known as a cremator or a cremation chamber. The cremation chamber exposes the body to temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing it to ashes known as cremated remains.

Why Do People Get Cremated?

There are many reasons people choose cremation over burial. Some value its affordability compared to traditional burial, while others appreciate the flexibility it offers for memorial services and the handling of the ashes. Environmental considerations also play a role, as cremation can have a smaller physical footprint than a traditional burial. Additionally, families may choose cremation to honor cultural or personal preferences, ensuring the final arrangements reflect the wishes and values of their loved one.

How Does Cremation Work?

Understanding cremation and how the process works can help families make informed decisions. The cremation process follows a respectful, multi-step procedure to ensure accuracy and dignity. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. Authorization and Documentation

Before the cremation process can begin, you must follow the appropriate legal and administrative procedures. This process typically involves obtaining the necessary permits, completing the required paperwork, and ensuring the deceased's identity is documented correctly. Funeral homes or cremation service providers can help guide you through this process. Once you sign off on everything, they often file and manage the necessary documentation on your behalf.

2. Preparation and Identification

The body is prepared for cremation once all the paperwork is in order. Personal items are removed like jewelry, and an identification tag is attached to ensure accurate tracking throughout the process.

3. Casket or Container Selection

A casket or container is usually used during the cremation process. This container is usually made of wood or cardboard, providing a dignified enclosure for the body during cremation. The selection of the casket or container depends on your personal preference and budget.

4. Cremation Chamber

The body, in its container, is placed inside a cremation chamber. This specialized furnace can reach temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing the body to ashes.

5. Incineration Process

During the incineration, intense heat reduces the body to cremated remains, which consist of ashes and bone fragments.

6. Cooling and Collection of Remains

After cremation, the remains cool down, and any non-combustible materials, like surgical implants, are removed. The ashes are then placed in a temporary container or urn chosen by the family.

7. Processing the Ashes

The collected cremated remains may undergo a processing step to ensure consistency and uniformity. This involves pulverizing the ashes into a finer, sand-like texture. This process helps create a more homogeneous mixture, allowing for easier handling and scattering, if desired.

8. Final Disposition

Families can choose from various memorialization options, such as scattering the ashes, placing them in an urn, or interring them in a columbarium.

It's important to note that the specific details of the cremation process may vary depending on local laws, cultural and religious customs, and individual preferences. Funeral homes and cremation service providers can help you understand specific regulations for your area.

How Much Does it Cost to be Cremated?

When considering cremation, understanding the associated costs is essential. The cost of cremation varies based on location, type of service, and memorialization choices.

Traditional cremation typically includes a funeral service or viewing before the cremation process. This allows family and friends to gather, pay their final respects, and celebrate the life of their loved one before the cremation takes place. The cost of traditional cremation can vary widely, ranging from around $2,000 to $9,000 or more, depending on the specific funeral home or cremation service provider.

Factors that influence the cost of a traditional cremation include the location and facilities used for the funeral service, the type of casket or container selected, embalming or preparation fees (if applicable), and any other services or merchandise chosen, such as memorial cards or urns.

How Much Does Cremation Cost Without Services?

For those trying to minimize the cost of cremation or that want to forego a memorial service, direct cremation is a simpler and more affordable option. The body is cremated shortly after death without a formal viewing or ceremony. This option skips the traditional funeral service and allows families to hold a memorial service or celebration of life later if desired. Direct cremation is generally the most cost-effective choice, with prices ranging from around $600 to $4,000, depending on the location and service provider.

It's important to note that direct cremation costs may vary based on factors such as transportation, the type of container used, and any extra services or memorialization options selected.

Understanding The Additional Cost of Cremation

In addition to the cremation, there are other potential costs to consider when making final arrangements. These costs may include:

1. Death Certificates and Permits

Depending on your location, obtaining copies of the death certificate and necessary permits may incur extra fees. These documents are essential for legal purposes and to complete various administrative tasks.

2. Transportation

If the deceased needs to be transported from the place of death to the crematorium or funeral home, transportation costs may apply.

3. Memorialization Options

While cremation provides a range of memorialization options, additional costs will be associated with certain choices. For example, purchasing an urn, hosting a scattering ceremony, or selecting other personalized memorial options will add extra expenses.

4. Additional Services

Depending on your preferences and the specific arrangements you wish to make, funeral homes or cremation service provider may offer extra services. These could include assistance with obituaries, funeral programs, or coordinating memorial events.

The best way to obtain accurate pricing information is to contact local funeral providers. They can provide you with a detailed breakdown of costs based on your specific needs and location.

Can You Still Have a Funeral and Burial When You Choose Cremation?

One common misconception about cremation is that it eliminates the possibility of having a funeral service or burial. However, you can still arrange a funeral service when you choose cremation. 

The main difference lies in the timing. In traditional funerals, the service usually takes place before anything else. With cremation, the order can be reversed. Families may choose to hold a funeral service either before or after the cremation takes place. This flexibility allows loved ones to gather and pay their respects in a manner and timeframe that aligns with their preferences and cultural traditions.

A burial of the cremated remains can also follow cremation. One option is to bury the cremated remains within a burial plot in a cemetery. This provides a designated space for loved ones to visit and pay tribute. Some cemeteries have dedicated areas for burying ashes. If you’d prefer the ashes to stay above ground but still want a sacred memorial place, many cemeteries contain urn gardens or columbariums. 

Cremated remains can also be buried in a family plot or alongside the buried remains of a loved one. This option allows for continuing a family tradition while still choosing cremation as the method of disposition.

Memorial Service Ideas for Cremation

When you choose cremation, there are many memorial service options to celebrate the life of the deceased. These alternative options provide unique opportunities to honor their memory in a personalized and heartfelt manner. Here are a few popular choices:

• Scattering Ceremony: Many people choose to scatter the ashes of their loved ones in a meaningful location. This could be a favorite outdoor spot, the ocean, or a special garden. Scattering ceremonies offer a symbolic way to release the remains and allow them to become part of the natural environment.
• Celebration of Life: A celebration of life event is a joyful gathering where family and friends come together to commemorate the life of the deceased. These events focus on celebrating the person's achievements, sharing stories, and fostering a sense of unity and connection among attendees.
• Memorial Service: Similar to a traditional funeral service, a memorial service can be held to honor the memory of the departed. This service can occur in various settings, such as a religious institution, community center, or even the comfort of one's home.

Cremation Memorial Ideas

Choosing cremation allows for a wide range of memorialization options, giving you the flexibility to honor your loved one in a deeply personal way. Here are some popular options:

• Urns: One of the most common memorialization options for cremated remains is using an urn. Urns come in various styles, materials, and designs, that can reflect your loved one’s personality. Options include traditional wood or metal urns, decorative ceramic or glass urns, and biodegradable urns for eco-conscious choices.
• Cremation Jewelry: Cremation jewelry provides a unique and discreet way to keep small portions of ashes stored in wearable items like pendants, bracelets, or rings, offering a symbolic way to keep your loved one close.
• Memorial Trees: Another growing trend is to have the ashes incorporated into a memorial tree. Ashes can be used to nourish a growing tree, creating an environmentally friendly tribute that symbolizes life’s ongoing cycle.
• Diamonds: Creating a cremation diamond involves extracting carbon from cremated remains and transforming it into lab-grown diamonds, becoming a timeless keepsake to pass down through generations.
• Parting Stones: Parting Stones are small, decorative stones that are made from cremated remains. Ashes are solidified into smooth stones that can be displayed at home or in a garden as a tangible and nature-connected remembrance.
• Artificial Reef: For those with a connection to the ocean, creating a memorial reef can be a meaningful way to honor your loved one. Ashes are mixed with concrete to create artificial reef structures that support marine life, making this an ideal option for ocean lovers.

These options provide meaningful ways to celebrate your loved one’s life and legacy. Take time to choose what aligns best with their wishes and your family’s needs.

Start Planning The Cremation Process

Deciding how to honor a loved one’s memory is deeply personal, and cremation can be a meaningful option that offers flexibility and affordability. Whether you’re considering preplanning for the future or need to make arrangements now, having a clear plan can help ease the process.

Afterall is here to help If you’re thinking about preplanning your cremation. You can fill out our form and our team will reach out to help you understand your options for planning a cremation service that matches your wishes. For families who need to arrange a cremation for a loved one, find a funeral provider in your area and call them today, one of our trusted funeral providers will be able to guide you on the next steps