Is Cremation Right for Me?
Most of us have considered, at one time or another, how we want our bodies to be dealt with after we’re gone. Attending a funeral, talking about wishes with a loved one, or even seeing a movie that deals with death, can make us think about our options.
In recent years,
cremation has become increasingly common in our community. People choose it for its flexibility, lower cost, and simplicity. Some have strong opinions one way or another about cremation. But if you’re on the fence, how do you decide whether it’s right for you?
First, before deciding between burial and cremation, it helps to understand what exactly cremation entails.
Cremation is the process of using very high temperatures to vaporize a body’s organic material, leaving behind its most basic elements. During cremation, a body is placed in a special container and exposed to high heat, reducing it to bone fragments. After cooling, the fragments are then processed into a uniform size and consistency that resembles a sand-like substance.
The cremated remains, also known as ashes, are then placed in a chosen urn or temporary container and returned to the family. The family then has many options for memorialization and celebration of their loved one.
When considering cremation, there are a few factors you might want to think about:
Religious Beliefs
For some religions, like Buddhism, cremation is the norm. In other faiths, like Judaism, cremation is frowned upon or even forbidden. For Catholics, cremation was once frowned upon but now is accepted. This difference in perspective is one reason why cremation is such a personal choice.
Your religious leader can help you understand how cremation fits with your faith, and help guide you in making a decision that matches your values.
Where Do You Want to Be Remembered?
Some people find it comforting to keep a loved one’s ashes in an urn on the mantel. Others would prefer to scatter the ashes in a meaningful location. There are many options to properly honor and memorialize a person when they choose cremation.
Think about where you want your loved ones to go when they remember you. Maybe it’s close to them in their home, buried or kept in a niche in a cemetery or
memorial garden, or maybe scattered at your favorite outdoor location. You can talk to a funeral director for ideas and to learn more about your options when preplanning your cremation.
The Price of Cremation
Many people assume that cremation is always cheaper than burial. This is sometimes true. Burial incurs additional expenses, such as a casket, burial plot, and grave liner. But there are also affordable burial options, like a green burial, which are close in cost to direct cremation. And cremation can become costly when there’s a traditional funeral attached and ashes are placed in an expensive urn or buried in a cemetery.
If cost is a concern for you or your family, speak with your funeral director to prioritize which elements are important to you. This ensures that your cremation and memorial service will reflect your values and personality without breaking the bank.
How Important Is Flexibility?
With families living away from each other and travel potentially being an obstacle for some, cremation can help ease the burdens of time and distance during a period of grief and mourning. While traditional burials typically take place a few days after the passing of a loved one, cremation allows for family members and friends to take the time to plan a memorial service while out-of-town loved ones have time to coordinate their schedules and travel arrangements.
Whatever your decision, be it burial or cremation, it’s important to consider both your own wishes and the needs of your loved ones after their loss. Remember, burial or cremation is not the only choice that is important to make when deciding on final arrangements. Many details must be addressed when the time comes, including how to honor and celebrate your life.
The staff at Horan & McConaty is always available to answer any questions you may have about preplanning, and how we provide guidance and support when planning your cremation or funeral services ahead of time. As a family-operated business that has served the Denver Metro area for over a century, we understand the needs of our community during loss. For more information about cremation services and preplanning, call us at
(303) 745-4418.
