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Cremation Funeral Planning: Common FAQs From Family Planners
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In some situations after a loved one’s passing, cremation is the option that makes more sense than traditional burial. As of 2014, 47 percent of people chose cremation instead of traditional burial, and that number has only risen since 1960. In the state of Ohio, the average number of people choosing cremation is only slightly lower than the national average at 42.5 percent.
At a time when you are making your loved one’s final arrangements with a funeral home, knowing what to expect is important. Therefore, gaining a little understanding of cremation and how it will affect the end-of-life arrangements is important. Here is a look at some of the common questions regarding cremation that family members often have and the answers you should know.
Can You Still Have a Traditional Funeral with Cremation?
It is a common misassumption that opting for cremation means there can be no traditional funeral or viewing with an open casket. However, you do still have the option of a funeral and viewing if you do choose to have your loved one cremated, and many people do.
Some professionals believe holding a funeral is highly important to the grieving process. According to the National Caregivers Library, funerals hold several important steps that can be vital to the grief process, including things like:
- Facing the reality of the situation of the loss
- Grieving openly with friends and family members
- Being introduced to new life roles
Of course, whether you choose to have a funeral or not is your choice. Some people find that holding a memorial service instead of a traditional viewing and funeral is just as cathartic after the loss of a loved one.
How Are the Cremated Remains Handled After the Funeral?
How the cremated remains are handled after the funeral or memorial service is completely up to the closest next of kin. In most cases, the closest living relative will be given the urn holding the cremated remains to take home and keep. However, many family members choose alternative cremation remain arrangements. For example, you could:
- Choose to have the remains separated into multiple urns for multiple family members
- Choose to have the remains buried in a cemetery just as you would a traditional casket
- Choose to have the remains displayed in a columbarium
There are also all kinds of non-traditional ways cremated remains can be transformed for memorial or keeping purposes. For example, you may choose to have the remains transformed into memorial gemstones, blown glass, or other keepsakes. Whatever you decide to do with the remains, the funeral director will help you make the arrangements if they can and also offer useful advice.
What Are the Advantages of Cremation Over Traditional Burial?
If you were left no instructions from your loved one about their end-of-life arrangements, it can be difficult to decide if cremation is the best option, and taking a look at the advantages of each option is a good way to help you make a decision. While both cremation and traditional burial have advantages, those associated with cremation include:
- Lower costs
- Transient remains
- Environmentally-friendly
Before making the decision about cremation, make sure you discuss the full list of advantages with the funeral director and your family members. Cremation may not be the best choice for all situations, but cremation deserves proper assessment before deciding against it.
Being left with making final arrangements for a loved one can be trying with so much to decide. If you need help with funeral planning, would like to know more about cremation, or have further questions, contact us at Glickler Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
