There is no aspect
of funeral service as misunderstood as cremation. The biggest misconception is
that cremation precludes any and all funeral services.

Nothing could be
further from the truth.

In a recent Twitter
post, a woman commented that when her time came she wanted to be cremated
because “no one would get [her] bangs right.”

Clearly, she was
under the false assumption that choosing cremation negates having an open
casket visitation. She is far from alone. Perhaps the proliferation of articles
touting cremation as an economical alternative to burial has led to the
confusion.

What Is Cremation?

The Cremation Association
of North America (CANA) defines cremation as:

“… the mechanical,
thermal, or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone
fragments. Cremation also includes processing and pulverization of the bone
fragments into pieces that are usually no more than one-eighth inch.”

The
practice of cremation has been around for thousands of years and was introduced
to western civilization by the ancient Greeks. In 1876, the first crematory was
built in the United States. In recent years, the popularity of cremation has
increased markedly.

While Catholicism
permitted cremation back in 1963, certain stipulations have to be adhered to.
The church requires that the cremains (cremated remains) be placed in a spot of
permanence – a grave, or a columbarium niche.

They should not be
kept at home, nor should they be scattered, divided into small keepsake urns,
or portioned out into cremation jewelry. In 2016, the Vatican reiterated these
directives.

Some other
religions, such as Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox forbid cremation.

Cremation vs Direct Cremation

Cremation is just
another final disposition choice, along with burial and entombment. On the
other hand, direct cremation is an inexpensive alternative service.

While a basic
direct cremation – in which a remains is taken
directly to the crematory without services of any kind – may
seem self-explanatory, families don’t often fully grasp the implications.

It has become
increasingly common for funeral directors to field calls asking about the price
of a cremation.

“Are you looking
for a cremation with services or without?” we ask.

Most people seem
surprised by the question, as well as relieved to know they can choose
cremation and still be able to tailor the funeral service to meet their emotional
and financial needs.

Cremation and
direct cremation are offered by all funeral homes. However, there are also numerous
low-cost cremation purveyors, and starkly-named direct disposers (in Florida), which
deal exclusively in cremation.

Prices vary widely,
as does the time to complete the process. As a rule of thumb: the lower the
price the more impersonal the service.

Direct Cremation

• The cremation takes place with an absence of
  services and funeral rites.
• The remains are removed from the place of death,
  taken to the funeral home, and generally placed in a cardboard container. After
  the paperwork is completed, the remains are taken to the crematory.
• A memorial service may follow in a funeral home,
  religious institution, or a venue of your choosing.
• Costs vary widely. The cremains can be mailed
  for an extra cost or picked up at the funeral home.

Cremation

• The same services included in funerals which end
  in burials or entombment may also be requested – embalming,
  cosmetology, hairstyling, visitation, a religious service, etc.
• Generally, a wood casket is selected for the
  visitation. Some funeral homes offer “rental caskets” which contain a removable
  insert for transport to the crematory.
• Mourners have the option to have a committal
  service (with or without clergy) at the crematory. Families may also opt not to
  accompany the casket to the crematory.
• Depending on the accompanying services you
  select, costs can be comparable to that of a burial.

Cremation Does Come with Options

Whether you choose a full-service funeral that ends in cremation, or a direct cremation, you have a number of final disposition choices: transfer of the cremains into an urn, placement in a columbarium niche, burial in a family grave, or scattered in a cemetery’s urn garden.

The majority of
cemeteries offer indoor and outdoor niche spaces to meet the growing demand for
cremation.

What misconceptions
about cremation have you heard of? Which ones do you believe yourself? What are
your thoughts about cremation, and would you choose to go that route? Why or
why not? Please share your thoughts with the community.