One of the first decisions someone pre-planning their own final services or a family making arrangements for a loved one has to make is the big choice between cremation or a traditional burial.
Each of these choices has its benefits and drawbacks. Each also has a fair share of misperceptions. Here are some factors you should consider.
What Is Cremation?
Cremation is the process of incinerating the remains of the deceased in a specialized chamber. Once the body has been incinerated, the remains are processed into a finer powder. These “cremains” may be placed in an urn for display, buried, or spread in a favored area of the deceased.
Is Cremation a Popular Choice?
Throughout history, cremation has always had its place. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed subject to wars, plagues, religious traditions, and other factors.
In recent history, the percentage of cremations was just 5% in 1958. According to the National Cremation Association, 56% of final services today involve cremation. That is more
than half.
How Families Choose to Dispose of Cremains?
About one third of families bury the ashes or cremains of their loved ones. Another third will choose to keep the ashes. The final third will opt to scatter them in meaningful locations.
How Cremation Services Can Benefit the Bereaved Family
Cremation helps ease the time and location restraints that can add stress to planning final services.
With a cremation, creamains are more easily transported, and, due to the nature of cremation, timing of services becomes much less critical. This makes cremation a valuable option for families that may be spread out across the country.
Cremation Offers Cost-Savings
One of the major reasons for the popularity of cremation vs traditional burial is the potential for cost savings. Bodies are not embalmed, and urns are a small percentage of the cost of a coffin. You may not need a grave or grave opening and closing fees. Families can avoid the cost of a cement vault or headstone. In fact, some estimates place the savings of cremation over traditional burial at up to 50%.
Can You Still Have a Funeral Service with a Cremation?
Absolutely. You can still have friends and loved ones pay their respects at final services and even have a ceremony at a cemetery should you wish. A cremation does not limit your choices for final services, including any desire for a celebration of life.
In fact, many families will choose to have open casket visitations prior to the final cremation process.
Ways You May Choose to Remember a Loved One Following Cremation
Cremation still offers respectful and long-lasting ways to remember a loved one. Ashes can be placed in a decorative urn for safekeeping or shared in a smaller urns to be gifted to close family members. A small amount of cremains can be turned into keepsakes or jewelry.
Cremation Services in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Area
If you are in search of cremation services in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, Fares J. Radel offers a combination of experience, multiple locations, a caring team, and the first privately owned crematorium in the Cincinnati area. When you choose Fares J. Radel, your loved one is always in our care.
Whether you are pre-planning or in current need, our staff is ready to serve your needs in Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati, OH area. Reach out to us with your questions.
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