Cremation
What is Cremation?
The modern practice of cremation dates back to the middle
of the 19th century. Yet, throughout history, many cultures have
chosen cremation as a method of caring for the dead. Very simply,
cremation is the process of reducing the body to bone fragments
through the application of intense heat.
In recent years, cremation has become increasingly
popular in the United States. For many years, people believed that
at the time of death only two basic choices existed: a complete
funeral including viewing, followed by burial or immediate
cremation of the body. Cremation was often considered to be
an inexpensive or a less complicated substitute for the
"traditional" funeral with burial. As times change, trends
and attitudes change too; and therefore, more people are choosing
cremation today simply as a matter of personal preference.
Actually several options are available for those who prefer
cremation; perhaps even more than with burial. Today many
opportunities exist for meaningful services for the benefit of
family and friends - both before and after the cremation process
takes place.
The Funeral Service and
Cremation
Just like burial, cremation can occur after a funeral
service where the body and casket is present at the service. The
only real difference between a funeral followed by burial and one
followed by cremation is that the body is taken to the crematory
after the service in lieu of procession to the
cemetery.
The Memorial Service and
Cremation
A memorial service, like a funeral, is a service of
remembrance, only without the body present. It may be held at a
place of worship, the funeral home or any other appropriate
location. Regardless of the site, we will assist in planning and
organizing the service, and provide the necessary staff to direct
the service. An urn may be present for the memorial service,
as the casket would be for a funeral.
Direct Cremation
An immediate or direct cremation is limited to the
prompt cremation of the body following death, with no formal
funeral or memorial services. Following cremation, the cremated
remains are returned to the family for disposition as they
wish.
Other Cremation Service
Options
While these descriptions cover the general type of
cremation services, your choices are not required to fit exactly
into any particular category. There are literally "options
within options" available to provide a meaningful
service.
Urns
An urn serves the same purpose after cremation that a
casket does with burial: it contains the remains and becomes part
of the memorial site. Urns range in style from classic and
traditional designs to contemporary. Their composition may
range from hardwood, stone or marble to castings of bronze, copper
or other precious metals. Urn prices will vary according to
their size, materials and workmanship.
Embalming and Cremation
Embalming is most often a matter of practical
necessity for a service with the body present. For any type
of public visitation with the body present, we require embalming.
For immediate cremation, embalming is not
required.
Memorialization
Memorialization is the act of establishing a permanent
means to commemorate the life of the deceased. Several
choices exist:
A. Burial: Urns may be buried in standard
cemetery plots and this is a frequent choice when space for the
deceased has been reserved in a family plot. In many instances, two
urns may be placed in one adult size space. Some cemeteries
have special burial areas for urns to be buried.
B. Inurnment: Inurnment is the placing
of an urn within a niche in a columbarium. Columbaria are
most often located within a cemetery or church yard and may be an
entire building, a room or a series of niches along inside
walls. They may also be a free-standing granite or marble
structure for this purpose. Our Whispering Winds Cemetery has
a red granite Columbarium with 95 niches. Two specific size
urns can be placed in the same niche.
C. Scattering: Some people prefer
scattering. Today, it is not unusual to hear of someone's cremated
remains being scattered in the air or over water. This is legal in
many areas, but not on federal lands or river ways. Though it
may have particular appeal for some people, survivors' feelings and
a possible unavailability of a permanent place of remembrance
should be carefully considered.
D. Ashuary: This is similar to
scattering; however the cremated remains are poured together into a
common porous underground container. As water enters and
leaves the container, cremated remains are taken in the soil.
This choice allows a simple opportunity for a permanent remembrance
spot.
Pre-arranging the Cremation
Service
Pre-arrangement is a thoughtful method of funeral
planning which grows in popularity every year. Some people do
this with the sincere desire to avoid being a burden on their
families. Others like the idea of "having taken care of
everything," and yet others may have no one else who can make
arrangements for them. Pre-arrangement is a wise choice in
regard to cremation. When death occurs, it is the next of kin
who assumes primary responsibility for the disposition.
Making funeral arrangements for someone while guessing at
their preference may be one of the most difficult tasks a person
can face. Having your choices and instructions for services and
cremation on file with a funeral director eliminates unresolved
questions, which may confound others. Funding the cremation
service can further ease the financial concerns of family members.
This allows you to arrange the kind of service you prefer and
be assured of adequate funds for the future payment of the
service.
We at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home have seen these
changes and adapted to them. Some of our more popular
cremation options are listed below:
A. FULL SERVICES
WITH
CREMATION
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other
preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing, (one day
or portion thereof, with funeral services the following day) and
funeral services or ceremony in other facility, committal at
crematory, graveside services, hearse and lead/flower
car.
(Excluding the purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket
& Cremation)
B. FULL SERVICES
WITH CREMATION & FEE FOR CEREMONIAL
CASKET
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other
preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or
portion thereof, with funeral services the following day) and
funeral services or ceremony in other facility, transfer to
crematory, committal at crematory, graveside services, hearse,
lead/flower car and fee for ceremonial casket.
(Required cremation container included with ceremonial casket;
excluding Cremation)
C. PARTIAL
SERVICES
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other
preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or
portion thereof, with funeral services the same day), and funeral
services or ceremony in other facility, transfer to crematory,
committal at crematory, hearse and flower/lead
car.
(Excluding purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket &
Cremation)
D. CREMATION
WITH EVENING VISITATION AND GRAVESIDE
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other
preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or
portion thereof, with no ceremony), transfer of remains to
crematory, equipment and staff for graveside service and
flower/lead care.
(Excluding purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket &
Cremation)
E. DIRECT
CREMATION WITH MEMORIAL
SERVICE
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to
crematory, use of facilities for memorial services or ceremony in
other facility and flower car.
(Excluding price of Cremation Container, Cremation, &
Graveside Committal with tent)
F. DIRECT
CREMATION WITH GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE
Basic services funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to
crematory, equipment and staff for graveside memorial service and
flower car.
(Excluding price of Cremation Container &
Cremation)
G. DIRECT
CREMATION WITH GRAVESIDE
COMMITTAL
Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of
remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to
crematory, and staff for graveside service and flower
car.
(Excluding price of Cremation Container &
Cremation)
H. DIRECT
CREMATION WITHOUT
CEREMONY
Our charge for direct cremation (without ceremony)
includes the basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer
of remains to the funeral home within 30 miles, and transfer of
remains to crematory.
(INCLUDING CREMATION & CREMATION
CONTAINER)