What People Don’t Understand About Cremation

Death and the fallout of losing a loved one aren’t easy processes for most people. Even if you discount the pain of having to say goodbye to a family member or loved one, the process of organizing their funeral, wake and service can seem overwhelming.

One divisive issue is whether or not to have a cremation. Many people request to have their remains cremated, and their friends and family may bristle at the thought of this because of various misconceptions. They imagine there won’t be a funeral, or that their remains will live in some drab urn. They may even have trouble with the question “How are people cremated?”

In today’s article, we break down three of the biggest misconceptions about the cremation process to help set your mind at ease.

The Funeral

Just because your loved one has been cremated, doesn’t mean that you have to forego a funeral. Why would it? After all, how you choose to remember your departed friends and family should always be your choice.

For a funeral service, simply arrange with your appropriate house of worship, venue, chapel or funeral home either before or after the cremation. You might have a memorial service with the urn or ahead of time, with either an open or closed casket. Knowledge is power, so ask your funeral home about a rental casket or an alternative container, which you might cover with a quilt or decorative fabric.

Ash: A Few Facts

What you get when you receive the ashes of your loved one consists mostly of pulverized bones and the remains left over after burning. These are processed in a mill, with the end product being a grainy powder.

These remains weigh about four pounds, and you’ll typically receive them in a simple plastic container. While there isn’t any specific reason to invest in an urn, it’s recommended that you buy at least a simple one, soas not to hang onto some dull, depressing box full of bad memories.

A misconception about cremated remains is the idea that they are “good” for plants. This is the exact opposite of the truth, and using these in your garden will do more harm than good.

Interested in learning more about the cremation process, from all of your “how are people cremated” questions to “what about cremating my dog?” Check out some of our other great blog content, or get in touch today to find out more about our high-end cremation services.