A gift to your family, sparing them hard decisions at an emotional time.
It is not always possible to pay respects in person, so we hope that this small token will help.
Offer a gift of comfort and beauty to a family suffering from loss.
Cremation Services
Simply put, cremation is the accelerated reduction of the remains to ash, through the process of heat and fire.
There are many misconceptions about cremation such as it is more environmentally friendly than traditional burial. We urge families to consider whichever option suits them best at the time of need.
Decomposition of the body in the earth (after burial) is the slow oxidation of the body tissues. Cremation, on the other hand, provides rapid oxidation.
No casket is legally required for cremation, just a simple container, which is strong enough to hold the body. This could be a box of raw lumber, pressboard, or heavy cardboard.
Cremation Choices
If the body is cremated:
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The remains can be stored by the family
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You may take the remains in the simple box supplied by the crematorium and distribute ("scatter") them over the land or water.
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The remains can be placed in a niche within a columbarium.
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The remains can be buried in the ground in a regular plot or in a smaller cremation plot.
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The remains can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum.
Reasons You Might Choose Cremation
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Many people believe that a cremated body becomes one with nature more quickly.
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Cremation is traditional in your family, religious group, or geographical area
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You prefer the body to be returned quickly and cleanly to the elements
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You have environmental concerns
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Perhaps you are worried about the use of valuable land for cemetery space
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You want to keep the costs down. However, selecting cremation does not necessarily mean that you will have an inexpensive funeral. You might still choose a casket and/or a viewing, and/or decide to have the cremated remains buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium. These choices can bring your costs up to those of a traditional funeral.
Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Cremation
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Whether to use an urn or container
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What to do with the remains
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If you are distributing the remains. Some jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the scattering of remains; others require a permit. Ask your funeral director
