Funeral Information

Cremation > Introduction

Cremation is a process used to prepare the body for final disposition. Through the use of intense heat and direct flames, the body is reduced to bone fragments. Cremation is not intended to replace the elements of the traditional funeral. It is simply an alternative to earth burial or entomb­ment. You may find the following data on History & Religious Beliefs, Growth in Popularity and The Process of interest.

History & Religious Beliefs
The practice of cremation can be traced to the Bronze Age (4000 B.C. -­1000 B. C.). Historians say residents of Athens in Ancient Greece developed the tradition of cremating the bodies of their warriors on the battlefield. After cremation, they would return the cremated remains to Athens for ceremony and entombment.

Since then the methods of preparing the body for final disposition, as well as the types of rituals, services and gatherings, have varied greatly from time to time and from place to place. Cremation was used in Scandinavia during the Bronze and Early Middle Ages, in Rome during the period of the Republic, and in England under Queen Victoria's reign.

In the book, Cremation and the Funeral Director, Michael W. Kubasak identifies the many shifts in post-death funeral practices throughout history. He explains that research of the history of funeral practices indicates that changes in dominant religious, philosophical or cultural belief systems are usually the factors that cause these shifts.

Contrary to what some believe, the more contemporary practice of cremation dates to the middle of the 19th century. Practiced throughout the world, cremation today is commonly performed in several Asian and European countries and is becoming more prevalent in North America.

The first crematory in the United States was constructed in Pennsylvania in 1876. Between 1886 and 1900, cremations represented less than 1 percent of deaths. Today, according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), 27 percent of the deaths in the United States result in cremation, and by the year 2010, it is predicted that 36 percent of Americans will choose cremation. Canada's cremation rate is 48 percent, with a projected 65+ percent by the year 2010.

Growth in Popularity
Research from CANA highlights eight key trends affecting cremation:

1. Increased life expectancy (male: 73.8 years; female: 79.5, per the National Vital Statistics “Deaths: Final Data for 1998, vol. 48, no. 11).
2. Increased migration to retirement locations
3. More acceptance as a normal form of disposition
4. More emphasis on environmental considerations
5. Rising educational level
6. Weakening ties to tradition
7. Diminishing regional differences
8. Diminishing religious restrictions

Also, as reported in the 1999 Wirthlin Report , people are opting for cremation for eight primary reasons:

1. Less expensive
2. Uses less land/environmental considerations
3. Simpler/less emotional/more convenient
4. Preference
5. Body not in earth
6. Ashes can be strewn
7. Religion
8. Tradition

Because religious beliefs concerning cremation vary, you may want to check with your clergy person before making a decision. Regardless, almost all religions encourage perma­nent memorializations of cremated remains.

The Process
Cremation is a process that prepares the body for its ultimate disposition. Ultimate disposition may be earth burial, entomb­ment, placement in a niche or in a garden within a cemetery, scattering at sea, or holding in safekeeping by a family member or designated representative.

Before the cremation process can take place, certain medical devices and/or implants must be removed from the body, including pacemakers, prosthesis, mechanical and radioactive devices, or other implants. Not removing these items could cause damage to the cremation cham­ber or to crematory personnel. The funeral director also needs to know if the deceased was treated with any radioactive medication.

The body is placed in a cremation casket or a combustible cremation container of some kind. The casket or container and the body are placed in the cremation chamber and consumed by the intense heat and flames. All soft tissues are vaporized, and the skeletal body framework is reduced to bone fragments and particles. Specific requirements may apply in cases where crematories allow the use of metal caskets.

Cremated remains normally weigh between four and eight pounds, depending on the individual. The cremated remains will be placed in an urn or specialized container that is provided to hold the cremated remains.