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Cremation Information

Your Complete Cremation Information Guide

When you have lost a loved one, arranging a funeral can be a difficult process. Cremation is one of the options in the funeral arrangement process, and we would like to help you understand what cremation is, how cremation works and why you might choose cremation.

We have decades of experience serving Hillsdale, Indiana, Clymer & area and our staff is ready to assist you when arranging a cremation for a loved one.

What is Cremation?

Part of making funeral and memorial arrangements on behalf of a loved one involves choosing between burial of the body, or cremation. Certainly this is a big decision, based on any number of factors: religious or spiritual beliefs, finances, or ecological awareness are just some of the reasons we've heard for choosing cremation. Before you can make the choice, you need to know exactly what it is you're considering. You can learn the basics of cremation below, however, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call . One of our cremation specialists will address any of your inquiries or concerns.

How does Cremation Work?

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 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 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 and the cremation process can take place. However, there are some additional things you may wish to consider, such as:

 

  • Is there a special set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? This will be a focus of the cremation arrangement conversation, and you will be advised by one of our funeral directors as to your best options regarding jewelry or other valuable personal items. We typically recommend that expensive jewelry and keepsake items be removed before cremation and kept in the family as heirlooms.
  • Are there 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 prior to 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 an act of "letting go", we welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into our crematory room. Please discuss your desire to participate with one of our funeral directors.
  • 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 special place such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns that will help memorialize your loved one. Click on Funeral Products under the Funeral Planning Tab to view the cremation urns on our website and to view the cremation urn price list. Cremation urn vaults and urns that can be used for burial may also be viewed under the Outer Burial Container Tab. Ask one of our caring funeral director's 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."

Choosing 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 ground water but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.

Cremation Benefits

List of Services

Are You Ready to Talk About Cremation in Indiana & Clymer?

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 at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & crematory to set an appointment or simply send us an email via our online contact us form.
Sources:
  1. What is Cremation, Cremation Association of North America
  2. Mathisen, Tyler, "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry"
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