Understanding Cremation Options / Services

Many families are now selecting cremation as their preferred option for disposition. Why are more and more people choosing cremation? There are many factors that families consider:

• Personal or Spiritual Belief
• Environmental Belief
• Simplicity or Convenience
• Economical
• Greater acceptance among many religions
• Some people are more likely to live away from their family roots
(e.g. jobs, retirement, living, etc.)

When choosing cremation as a part of your pre-planned arrangements or for a loved one, important considerations should be given to a few specific issues.

How are cremation services different from regular burial services? They're not. Services with cremation are the same as with traditional burial, unless you prefer something different. It's your choice to make, it’s your funeral.

Whatever you choose - traditional casket burial or cremation - family and friends need time to grieve and to say good-bye. This is the reason for funeral services - to support the living through the pain and loneliness of loss to acceptance and resolution.
People commonly think that you cannot have a viewing, visitation and a traditional funeral service with the selection of cremation. However, cremation and burial offer the same services, including music, prayers and recitations of your choice. The main difference usually comes after all the services are complete where a traditional burial would go to the cemetery with the traditional cremation service the body is cremated instead of proceeding to the cemetery following the service.

A lot of people ask, “What are some examples of Cremation Options or Cremation Services that are commonly selected?”. We have compiled some examples of what works for some families but our staff can always customize what may work for you and/or your family: (note: the term “Memorial” traditionally means the body is not present, some people use a picture or portrait for services)
 

• Traditional Cremation: (Body is present for services before cremation happens. Much like a Traditional Funeral Service, however, when the services are complete the body is taken to be cremated instead of the cemetery for burial)

• Loved one's body present in a Ceremonial or Rental Casket for a Funeral Service Only

• Loved one's body present in a Ceremonial or Rental Casket for a Visitation (Public or Private Family Viewing)

• Loved one's body present in a Ceremonial or Rental Casket for a Visitation (Public or Private Viewing) and a Funeral Service
  

•  Cremation with: (Body is not present for services.)

• Memorial Service or Celebration of Life Service

• Memorial Visitation / Gathering of Friends (no formal service)

• Memorial Visitation and Service

• Graveside Committal of Ashes Service at the Cemetery (Public or Private Family)

• Private Family Viewing prior to cremation

• Private Family Service or Private Celebration of Life Service
  

•  Direct Cremation (no services)
  

Under the FTC Funeral Rule, Funeral Directors who offer direct cremations:

• May not tell you that state or local law requires a casket for direct cremations, because none do

• Must disclose in writing your right to buy an unfinished wood box or an alternative container for a direct cremation. (Most crematories require the use of an alternative container. Alternative containers encase the body and can be made of materials like fiberboard (heavy cardboard) or composite materials.)

• Must make an unfinished wood box or other alternative container available for direct cremations.

Disposition of Cremated Remains

Another consideration that some people fail to think about is, “What will be done with the cremated remains or ashes of your loved one after the services are complete?”. In the State of Florida, cremation is considered final disposition which allows families to utilize a wide variety of options for disposition of the cremated remains. We have compiled some commonly used options for the disposition of cremated remains / ashes (no family is limited to these options, our staff wants to help plan what works for your family):

• Scattering - (e.g. Ocean / Gulf, River, Lake, Mountains, Sacred Place, Church Scattering Gardens etc.)

• Traditional in ground burial – In ground burial of ashes in a cemetery plot or family plot. (Most cemeteries have rules or regulations as to what type of container may be required for the ashes to be buried. Our staff is always available to help determine what may be required at the family’s choice of cemetery.) Also, some cemeteries allow for more than one set of ashes to be placed in the same plot.

• Placement in Niche, Columbarium or Mausoleum – The cremated remains can be placed in a cemetery or church Niche, Columbarium or Mausoleum (Some cemeteries and churches require certain containers for the ashes to be placed in.) Our staff is always available to help determine what may be required at the family’s choice of cemetery or church.

• Personalized Memorialization – Some families decide they want to keep the ashes of their loved one in their home or have a memorial in a special place. (e.g. Cremation Urn, Cremation Keepsakes, Cremation Jewelry, Tree Plaque, Park Bench Plaque, etc.) At Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel we have a large selection to choose from as well as options for personalization (inscribing Name, Date of Birth and Death as well as even special sayings or scriptures)

• Personal Keeping – Some families decide to keep the ashes and make final decisions later as to the disposition. In some cases, the family may want to hold the ashes until the surviving spouse dies and then carry out wishes for the two cremated remains together.