Two Things to Consider if You’re Planning to Be Cremated
by Sophie Barnes
When planning for the future, it's sensible to ensure that you clarify to your family what your preferences are regarding how your remains will be dealt with after you pass away. If you're thinking about asking for your remains to be cremated, here are some of the things you'll need to consider.
Whether or not it is ok for your family to decide what to do with your ashes
If you don't know much about cremations, then you may have thought that, when your remains cremated after your death and the funeral home delivers them to your family, your relatives will simply place your ashes in a decorative urn. However, the truth is that there are many other things that people can do with the ashes of their loved ones. For example, some people like to put their relatives' ashes in lockets that they wear around their necks. Others choose not to simply pour some ashes into a locket but to actually have the ashes themselves turned into pieces of jewellery. Those who are creative may even choose to make artwork with the ashes, by adding water to them and using them as a medium to create images on canvas or paper.
It's important to talk to your family about which (if any) of these things you are ok with them doing after you have died. Whilst some people may find the idea of keeping ashes in a locket or using them to create artwork to be lovely, others might find it morbid or disrespectful to the deceased.
Explaining how you feel about various methods of storing or using your cremated ashes will ensure that your family do not unintentionally disrespect you. However, if you're perfectly happy for your family to do whatever they feel is best with your ashes, then clarifying this will mean that after you have died, they will feel free to do what they want with your ashes, without worrying that they might be doing something that you would not have approved of.
Whether or not you want your funeral service to take place at the crematorium
It is fairly common for those who are cremated after their deaths to have their funeral services held at the crematoriums where the cremations occurred. However, you or your relatives might not like the idea of this.
For example, if your family have agreed to organise the cremation of your remains after you die because that is what you want, but they themselves find the idea of cremation to be a bit upsetting, then they might feel better about having the crematorium send your ashes to a funeral home and hosting your funeral service in this building, instead. Conversely, if you want your funeral service to be short and snappy and to minimise the travelling your loved ones need to do, then you might want to specify that you want the funeral service to be conducted at the crematorium.
For more information, contact a cremation service.
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About Me
Losing a child is the hardest thing anyone could ever go through – I know because it happened to me. Through the grief, I had to find new ways to breathe, to function and to live. Of course, I also had to plan a funeral and memorial service for my child. If you have lost a child or a baby or had a stillborn, you have probably shared many of these feelings. If this has just happened to you, you may be wondering what to do next. First, I extend my sympathy, and secondly, I offer you this blog to help you grieve and help you understand the basics of funeral planning. Take care.