If you're considering cremation for a family member or pre-planning your own funeral, you may have questions about what's involved. As an alternative to a cemetery burial, cremation involves the use of intense heat to transform a body to ashes. These ashes can then be kept by family members, buried or scattered in a special place. Cremation is a popular choice, but people often aren't clear about what's involved, so here's an overview of the process:
Preparation Of The Body
The way a body is prepared for cremation is no different to how it's prepared for a cemetery burial. Once cleaned, embalmed and dressed in the clothes chosen by family members, the body can be viewed. How viewing is done and who can view the body will be decided by the family. After the viewing, any jewellery will be returned to the family, as the body cannot go into the cremation chamber with jewellery in case a reaction occurs.
Transportation Of The Body
When it's time to move the body to the cremation chamber, there are a couple of choices. You can select a casket in the same way you would for a cemetery burial. The casket will go into the cremation chamber with the body inside it. Alternatively, you can forgo purchasing a casket and the body will be transported in a rigid cardboard container provided by the funeral home. Legislation means the body must be in a combustible container of some sort in order to be placed in the cremation chamber.
Receiving The Ashes
You'll be able to collect the ashes of your loved one within a few days after the cremation. They will be enclosed in a basic box, so families often pick out a decorative urn to store the ashes in if they intend on keeping them at home. Alternatively, you can purchase an urn plot at the cemetery to hold the ashes. These are smaller and less expensive than full burial plots. If you don't wish to hold onto the ashes, you can scatter them somewhere meaningful to your family member. Before doing this you should check with your local council, as you'll need permission to scatter them in certain places. If you are scattering the ashes but wish to keep some as a reminder of your loved one, you can have a small amount incorporated into a piece of jewellery. Look for a local jeweller that makes ashes jewellery.
If you'd like more information about cremations, arrange an appointment with a local funeral director.
Share28 April 2023
Funerals can be a tricky time, as people are often on edge trying to deal with their grief. Some people also become argumentative when upset, so it can be a good idea to work with the funeral home to work out how to manage the maelstrom of emotions that are going on. It can often be useful to separate certain members of the family or social groups if you know that they are inclined to get aggressive or very loud when very upset. A great funeral home can help you to manage these sorts of issues to help ensure that the funeral runs smoothly.
