When Cremation Is Preferred

Cremation is an alternative to the burial process and it is chosen by many people because of religious beliefs, the desire to preserve the environment or it was requested by the person who died.  Cremation is also a less expensive option in comparison to a burial.  The remains are placed in a container that is combustible and placed in a special furnace called a cremation chamber or a crematory where through intense heat is reduced to bone fragments that are then crushed and pulverized to resemble course sand.  The cremated remains of an average adult body will weigh about 7-8 pounds.  Cremation is not an alternative to a funeral, but rather an alternative to burial or other forms of disposition.

Cremated remains can be scattered or buried, or they may be kept with the family in a decorative urn.  There are many new and different ways to dispose of ashes today, cremated remains can be placed in an artificial coral reef in the ocean, they can be launched into space or sent up in helium balloons, or they can be spun into glass pieces of art or diamonds.

Some religions welcome cremation while others forbid it.  The Catholic Church had banned cremation up until 1963, and burial remains the preferred form of disposition today.  In other Christian denominations cremation was historically discouraged but nowadays it is more widely accepted.  In eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism cremation is mandated, while in Islam it is strictly forbidden.  Orthodox Jews also forbid cremation; other sects of Judaism support cremation, but burial remains the preferred option.

Cremation has been a part of the human experience for a very long time, and is the preferred method of caring for a loved one in many parts of the world.

While we could recite statistics on the rising popularity of cremation in North America and other nations, they really won’t mean very much to you. After all, who picks cremation just because everyone else is doing so?

People choose cremation because they believe it to be the right choice for them. It’s as deeply personal of a decision as that of selecting burial. The decision could be based on:

  • Financial Challenges. We often hear people ask "What is the cost of cremation in Rochester, New York?" The cost of direct cremation with no funeral or memorial service is often ¼ that of a traditional burial. This simple fact is often all it takes for a family to make the cremation decision; however we firmly believe that there is great value in bringing family and friends together for a remembrance service – value which exceed mere cost.
  • The Desire for Simplicity. There is nothing simpler than a direct cremation, where the body is transferred straight to the crematory and everything is done within hours of completing the necessary paperwork.
  • The Need for Flexibility. A memorial service after a direct cremation can be arranged at a time that's convenient for family members. There is no rush to put together a ceremony which many in the circle can’t attend due to time or financial constraints.
  • The Intention to More Fully Honor a Loved One. A service can be planned for weeks, even months, after the cremation. This means more people can get involved and there’s plenty of time to gather meaningful scriptural passages, poetry, literary quotes, music, photos and videos.

If any of those reasons ring true for you and your family, then cremation may be the perfect alternative for your loved one.

Decisions You Must Make When Choosing Cremation

  • Who will perform the cremation?
  • Should you purchase an urn?
  • What kind of remembrance ceremony would you like to have?
  • What will you do with the cremated remains?

You may wish to keep the remains at your home for a time, until you feel ready to let go of them, or when all family members can be present for a scattering ceremony.

Our professional Funeral Directors can advise you on unique ways to memorialize a loved one using the cremated remains, including the creation of art glass objects. We also offer a wide selection of cremation keepsake jewelry.

We can also recommend firms in the area that specialize in scattering the cremated remains at sea, or in the air.

Call us today to explore cremation services, and the many creative ways you can memorialize a loved one either before, or after, the cremation has occurred.

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