Cremation Information
What is Cremation?
Making funeral arrangements for a loved one involves choosing between burial of the body or cremation. Indeed, this is a big decision based on many factors: religious, spiritual beliefs, finances, or ecological awareness are just some reasons families of Orange County choose cremation. However, before deciding, you'll need to know exactly what you're thinking. You can learn the basics below. However, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call. One of our cremation specialists at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers will address your inquiries or concerns.
Cremation Explained
The Cremation Association of North America
describes cremation as, "The mechanical and/or thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments". On our page, The Cremation Process, we offer a deeper look at the most common cremation process, which uses extreme heat.
As we said earlier, people choose cremation over the burial of casketed remains for any combination of reasons. Sometimes it's the simple fear of burial itself, which may stem directly from the Victorian phobia of being buried alive.
What is Required to Arrange for Cremation?
Once the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, all that's required is an authorization. This is provided by the person who is the legally identified or appointed next-of-kin. Once all authorization documents are signed, and service charges are paid, the body can be transported from the place of death to the crematory so the cremation process can occur. However, there are some other things you may wish to consider, such as:
- Is there a particular set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? This will focus on the cremation arrangement conversation, and your funeral director will advise you on your best options regarding jewelry or other valuable personal items.
- Are any keepsake items you'd like to include in their cremation casket? Perhaps there's a special memento, such as a treasured photograph or letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards, notes, or letters to their deceased loved one, and place them in the casket before the cremation.
- Would you or other family members like to be present for–or participate to some degree in–your loved one's cremation? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in the act of "letting go," we welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into the crematory. Please discuss your desire to participate with your funeral director.
- What will you keep the cremated remains or ashes in after the cremation or the service? Many families are simply unaware that they can purchase a cremation urn to be placed in a particular place such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns to help memorialize your loved one. Ask one of our caring funeral directors to see the wide variety of urns.
Why Choose Cremation?
Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation over traditional casketed burial.
Cremation Costs are Only One Reason
Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons "is the softening of the Catholic church's views of the practice. For centuries—until 1963, in fact—the church outlawed it. The church's laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past."
He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. "As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one's remains."
Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration of life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.
You can also be sure that concern for the environment ranks high among many who choose cremation. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the groundwater. However, many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.
Are You Ready to Talk About Cremation?
We understand that choosing cremation can be difficult, but please know that we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need to make an appointment or want to stop by our office for more information, we are always happy to help. Also, if you prefer to contact us online, we offer a convenient Contact Us form on our website. One thing that sets us apart is that you can speak directly with the person who performs the cremation, a trained and experienced CREMATIONIST, rather than going through a Funeral Director who delivers the body to a crematory. We want you to know that your loved one is in the best possible hands. We want you to know that no matter your reasons for choosing cremation, we're here to help you explore your options. When you're ready, call us to set an appointment or drop by our office. Please email us via our online Contact Us form or call us at 845-783-1811. You can speak to the CREMATIONIST who performs the cremation, not a Funeral Director who delivers to a crematory and hires a CREMATIONIST.
Sources:
- What is Cremation, Cremation Association of North America
- Mathisen, Tyler, "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry"