If You’re Considering Cremation
People choose cremation for a variety of reasons. There are practical reasons, like the cost savings over a traditional burial or because society’s increasingly nomadic habits make it difficult, if not impossible, to tend family gravesites. Philosophical reasons include the desire to return the body to dust or to save the land for the living. Some see cremation as more dignified for the deceased. Cremation also affords greater flexibility in ceremony planning and in final disposition.
Whatever your reason for contemplating cremation, you’re part of a growing trend. In the United States in 2003 (the most recent confirmed statistics), 29 percent of those who died were cremated – up from 24 percent in 1999 – according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA, www.creamationassociation.org).
In many states, you cannot authorize your own cremation; your next of kin must be in agreement for a cremation to take place. For that reason, pre-planning for cremation and putting your wishes in writing is recommended. Your cremation provider can tell you whether or not your state allows self-authorization. Pre-arranging for cremation also gives you a chance to seek advice from a clergyperson regarding acceptable practices within your religion.
Jef Benedetti of Gahanna, Ohio, was in charge of his mother’s arrangements after her death in 2000. She was a devout Catholic who had made it known that she wanted to be cremated. Benedetti consulted with a priest to ensure that his mother’s wishes could be carried out.
“I found out that it was okay for her to be cremated, but her ashes couldn’t be spread,” Benedetti said.
Cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, entombed in a columbarium, scattered over land or water, or permanently contained in an acceptable urn in the home.
More than one of these options can be chosen. For example, you may choose to have your remains scattered in a symbolic location and still have a portion of your remains retained in a smaller keepsake urn in the home.
A permanent memorial can also be erected, whether or not the memorial actually contains cremated remains. A cemetery marker, a tree or a decorative urn can serve as a permanent memorial that current and future generations can visit.
The decisions regarding cremation and final disposition of cremated remains are deeply personal ones and should be given a lot of consideration. Consult with your clergyperson, your cremation provider and your next of kin to ensure that your wishes will be fulfilled when the time comes.
