4 Things You Always Wondered About Cremation
At the point of death, you have several choices for the disposition of your body. While traditional funerals and burials have been more popular for years, cremation is quickly gaining popularity. But many people are leery of choosing cremation due to some of the myths surrounding the process. Unanswered questions usually generate these myths people may have. Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers that will hopefully place your mind at ease.
1. Can The Body Be Viewed Before Cremation?
Many people find comfort and closure in viewing the deceased before the final disposition. This is an option with cremation, just like a traditional burial. With cremation, this may come with an additional cost if you choose to have the viewing at a church or other location. This charge is usually for the funeral home to dress, makeup, and move the body.
2. Does The Body Have To Be Embalmed Before Cremation?
If you choose direct cremation services, where the funeral home cremates the body shortly after death with no viewing, the body is usually not embalmed. Even if there is a brief viewing of immediate family, you may still avoid the embalming process.
The funeral home may require embalming if there will be a public viewing before your cremation services. The embalming process helps preserve the body but is also for safety as it eliminates the build-up of gases and bacteria naturally present in a decaying body. No state or federal law governs this, but it may be a regulation of your local funeral home.
3. Can You Be Present When The Cremation Takes Place?
Being personally present with the deceased from death until the final disposition is essential for some people. For some families, it is cultural; for others, it offers peace of mind and closure.
Being present at the cremation will depend on your cremation provider. If they allow you to view the process, you will probably only be able to see when they place the casket in the retort.
4. How Long Does The Cremation Process Take?
The cremation timeline can vary from location to location and state to state. Choosing between a funeral home and a cremation service will also vary. For example, if you choose a funeral home with no crematory, it will pick up the body and then transfer it to a crematory. Once the cremation occurs, they will pick up the cremains and return them to you.
A direct cremation service will usually turn the cremains around much faster. But even then, it depends on how many people are ahead of you.
Contact a company like the American Cremation Society (Ridgemoor Chapels) to learn more.