Today, more and more people are considering cremation as an alternative to the traditional in-ground burial. The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times and is more common in Western Europe and Asia. However, the number of people in the United States selecting cremation as a form of final disposition has risen significantly during the past few years.
Many people believe that cremation limits you to one option. Cremation does not limit your choices, but rather it increases the options available to you. It in no way eliminates a funeral.
Optional services may precede or follow the actual cremation. Prior to the cremation, there may be a visitation and/or funeral ceremony with the casketed body present. If a ceremony is conducted following cremation, the receptacle containing the cremated remains may or may not be present. This is usually called a Memorial Service and can be held at any time or pace following the actual cremation.
Regardless of what option you choose for cremation, we highly recommend a funeral or memorial service to take place. This will help the family in the healing and grieving period after the death.
The type of memorialization desired usually influences final disposition of the cremains. Usually cremated remains are placed in some type of permanent receptacle or memorial urn before being committed to a final resting place. The urn may be buried in a family plot or urn garden where a marker or headstone may be used to mark the site. Sometimes the urn is kept at home. The urn can also be placed at a memorial niche at a cemetery, where it can be viewed through a protective glass or sealed behind a memorial plaque. Some cemeteries have special gardens where cremated remains may be scattered. In areas where it is permitted by law, cremated remains can be scattered over land or water.
