Cremation is on the rise in the United States. In 2016, cremations accounted for over 50% of all funerals, and that number continues to grow. Cremation is often seen as a more affordable option than a traditional burial. That’s why it’s becoming more popular, but not all cremation providers are created equal. It’s important to know that not all cremation providers handle the cremation themselves. Let’s look at what cremation is and why choosing a direct cremation provider matters.
What is Cremation?
Cremation reduces a body to ashes through direct exposure to high temperatures and a specialized movement of air. It’s often more affordable and has other benefits over traditional burial such as making the timing of the funeral more flexible. You can choose to have a funeral before the cremation or wait and have a memorial afterward with cremation.
Cremation of a body provides a smaller and more portable style of remains since it produces a small amount of ashes. You can then bring your loved one with you if you move away instead of coming back to a location to visit.
Compared to the cost and complications of burial, many appreciate the efficiency and ease of choosing cremation.
Why Choose Cremation Over Traditional Burial?
Cremation is more simple than a traditional burial because you can skip many parts of what traditional funerals include, such as:
- A body present funeral may not be needed
- Embalming may be unnecessary
- No requirement for makeup, hair, and clothing for the deceased
- May skip visitation or wake services if you so choose
- No time constraints if you choose to cremate with a memorial service later
- No need to purchase a grave vault, cemetery plot, or headstone
Why Choose a Direct Cremation Provider?
A direct cremation provider handles every aspect of the cremation process, from picking up the body to delivering the ashes. This can be a more affordable option because you’re cutting out the middleman.
Many funeral homes ship the deceased off to a crematory for cremation. Finding a funeral home that does it all means less cost for you, but also gives you the assurance of knowing where your deceased loved ones’ remains are being held at all times.
A direct cremation provider may also let you participate in the cremation process, including watching as the casket is placed into the cremation chamber. Being a part of the process may help you and your loved ones fully understand and grieve your loss in a more intimate way.
If you’re considering cremation for your funeral planning, make sure to find a funeral home that is also a direct cremation provider. That way, you can trust them to handle everything from start to finish.
Cremation Options
When you choose cremation, you may wonder what to do with the ashes. You can choose to keep them in an urn, make jewelry or other items with them, bury them, or scatter them.
If you keep the ashes in an urn, you can place them in a special spot in your home or bury them in a cemetery. If you choose to bury the urn, many cemeteries have special areas set aside for ashes. You can also choose to scatter the ashes. This can be done in a special spot that was loved by the deceased or at a place that has significance to you. Some people even choose to scatter them in the ocean.
Another option to keep your loved one close by is to have jewelry made from cremation ashes. This can be a beautiful way to remember your loved ones and have them with you always. There are many different types of jewelry that can be made from cremation ashes. You can choose to have a piece of jewelry made for yourself or for a loved one. There are also many different styles to choose from, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.
You can choose to have the jewelry made from the ashes of just one person or from the ashes of multiple people. This allows you to create a memorial necklace or bracelet that includes all of your loved ones who have passed away. Cremation ash jewelry is a beautiful way to remember your loved ones and keep them close to your heart.
We Can Help
Planning a funeral can be difficult. We’re here to help. At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we offer all disposition options, including direct cremation, so you can choose what’s best for your loved one. We understand that this is a difficult time, and we’re here to help make the process as easy as possible for you.
Our compassionate staff will guide you through every step of the planning process, and we’ll work with you to create a funeral that celebrates your loved one’s life in the way they would have wanted. We want to ensure that their memory lives on in the hearts of those they left behind. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule a consultation.
