Cremation
Cremation is a popular way to reduce end-of-life expenses because many of the extras that drive up traditional funeral costs won’t be included – expensive caskets, embalming and other items, for example.
Cremation has been an accepted form of human burial since the Stone Age, about 2,500 BC. Historians believe the Greeks introduced cremation to the Western World around 1,000 BC. Interestingly, though, one of the three religions that forbids cremation is the Greek Orthodox. The others are Orthodox Judaism and Islam. Most other religions allow cremation, but it’s always a good idea to check with your own religious leader before making decisions.
Today, about half of the American population chooses cremation over traditional burial because, as we said earlier, it reduces funeral expenses, and is also easier than a traditional burial in the earth, according to parting.com, a website dedicated to funeral information.
Cremation can be done through a funeral home or you can deal directly with a crematorium. Cutting out the middle man can save money, but could also leave a family without professional help at the time it may need advice the most. Even with the use of a professional funeral director, the cost of cremation is still likely to be thousands of dollars cheaper – less than half the cost of a traditional burial, according to parting.com. By the way, you are not obligated to buy an expensive urn from the funeral home you choose.
“An urn is just a container,” according to usurnsonline.com, a company that manufactures urns and also maintains an informational website. “If you’re not the sentimental type, you can use a bag or a coffee can. You can make your own from wood, ceramic, or even paper mache. You can have an urn custom made from wood, ceramic, or just about any other type of material. We have cultured granite and marble urns, urns made from metal, paper, sand, and even cornstarch. There are urns which incorporate the ashes into growing a memorial tree, urns with clocks, urns shaped like turtles, cowboy hats, and golf clubs. Just about any shape, style, or design you can think of has been made into an urn.” The company even has companion urns large enough to hold two cremated bodies so the ashes of husbands and wives can be joined together at some point.
They also recommend that those who prefer cremation for themselves should buy a container before the need arises so loved ones don’t have to scurry and pay extra expedited shipping costs if the need for an urn arises suddenly.
So, everything is set for your loved one’s cremation, but what will you do with the ashes? The options can be as simple as burying an urn in the family plot or as extravagant as sending loved ones’ ashes into space.
Most people choose to scatter remains or bury the urn, and sometimes divide the ashes among different family members, according to parting.com. The website says cremated remains are sterile, do not create a health risk, and are not usually regulated by local law, but check before you scatter.
To scatter ashes on private property, you must have permission from the owner. Unfortunately for some fans, spaces like sports stadiums (even those that were built with tax dollars) or amusement parks (Disney property) are private property and rarely if ever, give permission. Violators can be arrested, according to perfectmemorials.com.
Ashes may be spread by boat or plane in the sea, on some public lands and in some cemeteries. Again, it is always best to check the legality of your plan with someone in charge of the property instead of running the risk of ruining a beautiful and meaningful moment with an arrest.
And of course, either biodegradable or other types of urns can be buried in most cemeteries.
Usurnsonline.com lists more than 20 unusual things to do with loved ones’ ashes such as mixing the ashes with tattoo ink to create a permanent memorial on your body; mixing the ashes with paint that is used to create a beautiful portrait of the deceased; putting the ashes into bullets for shotguns, rifles or pistols; creating a piece of diamond jewelry from the ashes; and creating a sterling silver or 14k gold locket/vessel to carry a portion of the ashes with you all the time
You didn’t find a favorite among the above options? No problem; companies are coming up with new ideas all the time.
Here are some more.
*A Living Memorial, in which ashes are placed into an urn that is planted in the ground to help aid the growth of a tree seed.
*Launched into Space by a company that can schedule trips into orbit and back to earth or even into deep space.
*Spread by a helium balloon that floats up into the atmosphere. The balloon travels up about five miles where the cold temperature causes it to bust open and scatter the ashes.
*Help rebuild coral reefs by putting ashes into a cement mix that is poured into the form on which the coral grows.
*Create a memorial hour glass – remains are inserted into an hourglass. The time won’t be accurate, but the memorial is a beautiful thought-provoking piece for your mantle.
*A “snuggly urn” in the form of a teddy bear holding a portion of your loved one’s ashes. Usurnsonline.com calls it a “surprisingly popular” option.
*You will never write off your loved one with these pencils, which are created by putting ashes into the lead of a set of pencils.
*A 3-D bust. Have an urn created in the form of your loved one’s likeness.
Information on all of those options and others can be found on the website at https://www.usurnsonline.com/oddbits/27-things-to-do-with-cremated-remains/ .
