Cremation is growing in many states, and for good reason. It's often a third of the cost of a traditional burial and allows a person to leave a physical part of themselves behind for family members to cherish or scatter in memory around the globe. If you have always been curious about cremation, here are 3 facts you didn't know that may help you understand the practice a bit more and why it is becoming such an in-demand funeral trend.
The body isn't actually burned
Contrary to popular belief, cremation doesn't involve an incinerator that burns a body to ashes. Rather, intense heat (no flames) is used to break down a body into large ashes. A cremator is then used to crush the ashy bones into the smaller ashes family members can place in an urn or other keepsake. When the body is cremated, pacemakers, implants, and other items are removed so they don't damage the equipment.
Cremation has been around for centuries
Cremation has been a way for people to dispose of human remains since around 3,000 B.C. (the Stone Age). Cremation in America began to gain popularity in the late 1800s, with a crematory being built in Washington, Pennsylvania. Today there are thousands of crematories across the nation, with more and more people choosing cremation over a traditional burial than ever before.
Cremains have weight
The average weight of the 'cremains', or ashes left behind after a person is cremated, is between 5 and 7 pounds. Cremated remains include the bones, skin, and tissue of the deceased, crushed into tiny particles for keeping in a casket, box, bag, or decorative urn. The ashes of the deceased are not considered a pollutant, and people actually find many creative ways to use cremains to honor the dead, including:
If you are thinking of being cremated, talk to local city officials in your area (or your local funeral director) to see if there are any restrictions regarding disposing of cremains. This way, you will know what you can and cannot have done with your ashes after you pass on.
Being cremated is a great way to leave a positive impact behind and save money on funeral expenses. Learning more about cremation in general can help you make a decision on whether this type of funeral service will work well for you or not. Talk to a business like American Cremation Society for more information.
Share29 June 2016
Following the death of my grandfather, I found myself in the awkward position of having to write the obituary. I wanted to capture the spirit of him and list everything he was proud of in his life, including his family and work accomplishments. However, at the same time, I knew that I had a limited amount of space to work with. After spending hours researching obituaries, I finally felt confident in my skills and proceeded to write my grandfather's. In my opinion, it was perfect. Writing an obituary while you are grieving your loss is challenging, but I hope that my website helps you write one for your loved one that helps capture who they were as a person.