Cremation Information
What is Cremation?
Part of making funeral 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 below, however, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call .
Cremation Explained
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.
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 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:
- Although NWFA Inc. CANNOT dress the deceased, is there a special set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favourite dress) you would like to be lain upon the deceased? You will be advised by your director as to your best options regarding jewelry or other personal items.
- 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. No batteries or large non-flammable or large plastic items, please.
- The cremated remains will be returned in a simple plastic urn at no additional charge from the crematorium. If you wish to purchase a different urn, we offer a large selection that will help memorialize your loved one. You may also use any item you wish to hold the remains, and we have used a variety or cookie jars, teapots, ammunition cans, liquor bottles, statues and even a motorcycle fuel tank. Cremated remains can be placed into necklaces, charm bracelet beads, keychains, small boxes or miniature urns as keepsakes for the family, or divided amongst loved ones for their own preferences.
