Organizing an end-of-life celebration can come with uncertainty and hesitation. Often, families are worried about getting everything just right. To help ease concerns, take a look at five of the most common questions people ask about cremation.
Why choose cremation?
Cost is one of the biggest reasons people prefer keeping urns at home rather than organizing traditional interment. Cremation is an affordable alternative to traditional burial, which requires significant expenses for private plots, caskets, grave digging, tombstones, and more.
Cremation is also an appealing choice for environmentally conscious individuals. Ashes can be kept in handcrafted urns or scattered in a natural setting, which doesn’t require the occupation of land, as with a burial.
Set of ceramic urns for ashes - "The Passage"
In addition, cremation is a practical choice for large families or those who live in different states. Rather than being tied to a single gravesite that may be difficult for distant relatives to visit, cremation offers the opportunity for several individuals to keep their loved one close with the use of multiple ceramic urns.
Is cremation appropriate for honoring a loved one?
Many families harbor a hidden concern – is cremation disrespectful to the deceased? It may help to know that the cremation process is always carried out with immense respect for the deceased individual. As the old taboo of this process fades away and a new recognition of cremation as a beautiful, respectable choice grows, more and more families are becoming comfortable with displaying cremation urns for ashes within the home.
Many families choose to have a service either before or after the cremation process. This can be a traditional funeral service or a more informal gathering to celebrate the life of the deceased.
It’s important to note that keeping urns at home is not the only option available for honoring loved ones. There have been an assortment of beautiful designs and keepsakes for ashes presented in recent years. And even if your family does decide to keep the ashes in an urn, there are so many vessels available, including handmade urns, art urns, and more. It’s easy to find an option that honors your loved one in a beautiful, meaningful way.
What is the cost of cremation and what does it include?
While the cost of cremation can vary depending on the funeral home, most cremations cost between $1000 and $3500. This is a stark difference from the expenses involved with traditional burial, which averages around $10,000.
While extra services are commonly offered, a basic cremation package includes pickup and transport of the body, the cremation process itself, the return of ashes to the family, and the paperwork associated with the process.
While cremation can be a more affordable option than traditional burial, the cost can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of urn or memorial chosen, the location of the cremation, and any additional services requested.
Are cremation prices listed online?
A federal rule requires all funeral homes to make prices available either by phone or in person. The state of California requires funeral homes to list pricing information online and to make it readily available upon request. While it is not required in other states, some funeral homes voluntarily list cremation prices online.
When do I hold a memorial service – before or after cremation?
This depends on your plans for honoring your loved one. Some families opt for a visitation prior to cremation so that close friends can find closure and have a moment to say their goodbyes. Others prefer to hold a memorial service following cremation, during which ashes are commonly displayed in ceramic urns surrounded by photos, candles, and other memorabilia.
The great thing about cremation is that there’s no rush to throw together a memorial service in a flash. In fact, some families like to take their time and hold a memorial service at the one-year anniversary mark. Cremation provides the flexibility for families to decide what’s best for them.It's important to research and understand the facts about cremation in order to make informed decisions about end-of-life arrangements.
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