When cremation began to grow in popularity over 75 years ago, it was attributed to several factors. Cremation was viewed as a more affordable alternative to a traditional burial and service. Religions began removing the stigma of cremations, and the practice became more acceptable. As time has passed, families have begun realizing that cremation can help make final services more flexible and even has environmentally friendly aspects to it.
There are still, however, misperceptions about the process and accompanying services. Many people, for example, don’t understand the relationship between cremation and a funeral service.
In spite of these remaining misconceptions and misperceptions about cremations, cremations are now a part of over 60 percent of final services.
The Cremation Process
It can help to understand that cremation and a funeral or memorial service are different entities. Cremation is a process of body disposal where the body is reduced to cremains through high heat or other processes. These cremains are usually returned to the family for disposal through burial, scattering at special locations, or for safekeeping.
Today, cremains can even be turned into jewelry, fireworks, and tattoo ink.
What Is Involved in a Funeral Service?
A funeral service may involve a wide range of activities that often serve as a tribute or final salute to the deceased. Funeral services may include visitation or viewing hours, religious services, specially produced tribute videos, eulogies, and more.
Final services often serve as a comforting way for family and friends to express their grief and share stories about a departed loved one. For many, this is the most valuable part of a funeral, whether the deceased is cremated or will have a traditional burial.
You Have Options
What some fail to understand is that you do not necessarily need the body of the deceased to be present to have visitation or funeral services.
In fact, there are several options for final services involving cremations.
The deceased’s body could be cremated prior to services. In this instance, the cremains may or may not be present at the final services. The deceased, however, is usually recognized through photographs or other memorabilia.
Should a family wish to have the deceased’s body present for visitation, that can be made possible by having the body cremated following final services.
This can allow for a family to experience a more “traditional” funeral service while taking advantage of some other aspects of cremation.
Get the Answers to Your Questions
The Cremation Society of Greater Cincinnati has been serving Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, for over 125 years.
We offer multiple locations for the convenience of the families we serve. Our staff of caring professionals provides a full range of services, from simple direct cremations to elaborate religious services and celebrations of life. We have the only privately-owned crematorium in the Greater Cincinnati area. This means when your loved one is entrusted to us, they never leave our direct responsibility and care.
Should you have questions about the relationship between cremation and funeral services, whether in current need or preplanning, we invite you to reach out to us.
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