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vault will satisfy these requirements. Some Cremation FAQs
smaller rural or churchyard cemeteries do
not require use of a container to surround
the casket in the grave. What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the
Cremation Services human body to bone fragments using
high heat and flame. Cremation is not
Cremation is an alternative to the burial the final disposition of the remains, nor
process and it is chosen by many people is it a type of funeral service.
because of religious beliefs, the desire to
preserve the environment or because it Is a casket needed for cremation?
was requested by the person who died. No, a casket is not required. Most
Cremation is also a less expensive option states require an alternative container
in comparison to a burial. The remains are constructed of wood or cardboard,
placed in a container that is combustible however, in some states no container is
and placed in a special furnace called required.
a cremation chamber or a crematory
where, through intense heat, the remains Is embalming required prior to
are reduced where through intense heat cremation?
is reduced to bone fragments that are No. In fact, it is against the law for a
then crushed and pulverized to resemble funeral home to tell you otherwise.
coarse sand. The cremated remains of an
average human body will weigh about 7-8 Can the family witness the cremation?
pounds. Cremation is not an alternative Yes, they can; some cremation providers
to a funeral, but rather an alternative to will allow family members to be present
burial or other forms of disposition. when the body is placed in the cremation
chamber. Some religious groups even
Cremated remains can be scattered or include this as part of their funeral
buried, or they may be kept with the custom.
family in a decorative urn. There are
many new and different ways to dispose Can an urn be brought into church?
of ashes today, cremated remains can Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for
be placed in an artificial coral reef in the
ocean or they can be spun into glass the urn to present during the memorial
artwork or diamonds. services. Most Catholic Churches also
allow the remains to be present during
the Memorial Mass. It is encouraged that
Some religions welcome cremation while
others forbid it. The Catholic Church cremated remains be a part of a funeral
had banned cremation up until 1963, as it provides a focal point for the service.
and burial remains the preferred form
of disposition today. In other Christian What can be done with the cremated
denominations cremation was historically remains?
discouraged but nowadays it is more While laws vary state by state, for the
widely accepted. In eastern religions most part remains can be buried in a
such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and cemetery lot or a cremation garden,
Buddhism cremation is mandated, while interred in a columbarium, kept at home
in Islam it is strictly forbidden. Orthodox or scattered.
Jews also forbid cremation; other sects
of Judaism support cremation, but burial How can I be sure I receive the correct
remains the preferred option. remains?
All reputable cremation providers have
McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home - Page 17
