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Many Prefer Cremating Over Burial
While full memorial and burial customs have been the norm for centuries, the trend is now moving in the direction of Funeral Cremation, with or without a memorial service. There are a variety of reasons for this movement. A primary reason given is cost.
Disposition by fire brings horrible connotations to some. However, the embalming procedure also has unpleasant implications. It seems to be a matter of personal opinion as to which is preferable.
The first consideration after a death is who to select as the funeral director for final arrangements. The remains being treated in a respectful manner is most important, whether the body is embalmed or cremated. A memorial service can be arranged to follow either process.
There is also the option of burying the cremains, which is the term for the cremated remains, in a cemetery plot. Another option is to keep the ashes in a funerary urn. Ashes may also be scattered over water or at a location selected by the deceased prior to death.
This manner of disposal does not preclude a memorial service of any kind, including a graveside service if the ashes are to be buried. Some cultures demand the family witness the actual cremation. Most funeral directors will be agreeable to allowing this.
A columbarium is an indoor or outdoor building with spaces to hold the cremains of multiple decedents. Each one has a plaque to identify the person interred within. The columbarium is located on cemetery grounds.
An urn can also be kept in the home of a family member. Sometimes more than one family member will want to keep those ashes. In those cases, smaller urns can be purchased to each hold a portion of the ashes. In this way, everyone is happy.
Many times, disagreements among family members can be avoided by Funeral Cremation and the use of multiple urns. After the process is completed, a memorial service and scattering or burial of the ashes can be held. If burial is chosen, the deceased will be placed in the family plot with those who preceded him in death.
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