Cremation

I Just Want to Be Cremated

As more and more people plan ahead, we hear from many individuals that they don't want a big "fuss" when they are gone; they "just want to be cremated."

Cremation is a versatile option because it provides ample time for the family to gather, it allows for easy transportation of the remains, and it makes for a simple and easy means of disposition.

However, the notion that there shouldn't be any "fuss" is simply a misunderstanding of the reason we have funeral and memorial services in the first place. We want to-indeed, we need to-make a "fuss" when we lose someone we love. We need to take time to remember and mourn our loss, otherwise, we never experience any type of closure. The purpose of the funeral or memorial is to help us face the pain of our loss, acknowledge the reality of the death, receive the support of our loved ones, and remember and honor a life that we have cherished. As we plan ahead, we need to consider the needs of our family as well as our own preferences and desires.

With that said, here are a few considerations when it comes to choosing cremation:

  • Cremation may be carried out before the memorial service or afterward.
  • The body may be dressed and present in a ceremonial rental casket to allow friends and family to say their final goodbyes. This can be especially significant if the death was sudden and unexpected. Sometimes we have to see with our own eyes to really begin to get over the shock of a death.
  • The service may be a simple, informal gathering of close family or a public honoring of the deceased.
  • If the memorial service is held after the cremation takes place, it is important to have the urn present. The urn is not merely a container for the cremated body; it is a memorial of the deceased.
  • An alternative container is required for the actual cremation. Containers must be suitably rigid to hold the body and, of course, must be made of combustible material. The family may choose between a number of options for alternative containers available at the funeral home, or they may provide their own.
  • There are many options for memorialization after the cremated body is returned to the family. The remains could be buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, placed in a columbarium, kept at home, scattered, used in cremation jewelry, or portioned off for different uses.
  • When cremation takes place, it is important to remember the significance of permanent memorialization. Generations from now, family members will want to be able to visit a permanent memorial, so a gravestone, grave marker, or plaque should be considered.

With cremation, there are even more options available to families than there are with traditional in-ground burial. The key is to plan ahead and put all wishes in writing so that when a death occurs, the family doesn't have to worry about which options to choose.