Cremations are becoming more popular each year, according to a recent report from the National Funeral Directors Association. This method is now being incorporated into more than half of Americans’ funeral plans. Despite its growing acceptance, several misconceptions still revolve around the concept. Funeral Homes in Roeland Park KS are making attempts to dispel some of those myths and provide more in-depth information to those exploring their options.
Understanding the Process
Cremation takes place in a carefully controlled environment. People’s remains are kept separated with only one body being allowed in a cremation chamber at a time. Once a body is prepped, moved to a specialized container and placed inside the chamber, a furnace is heated to temperatures of 1,400 to 1,800 degrees. This transforms the body from its original form to ashes and small bone fragments. The process takes about three hours from start to finish.
Dealing with the Ashes after the Fact
In many cases, the deceased’s ashes are placed in an urn and returned to family members. Some people keep the ashes while others choose to scatter them in a place meaningful to their lost loved one. Of course, this isn’t the only alternative. Having them buried in a cemetery or sealed in a vault is also possible. The cremains can also be divided and placed in specially designed jewelry for family members to keep close to their hearts. A few unconventional options are likewise available, such as having a loved one’s ashes launched into space or mixed into fireworks.
Memorial Services
Those choosing cremation for their deceased loved ones doesn’t have to sacrifice a memorial service or traditional funeral. Caskets can be purchased or rented through Funeral Homes in Roeland Park KS for traditional viewings before a cremation takes place. If having the ashes buried or placed in a vault, gravesite services can be part of the ceremony. Families may also choose to hold memorial services before or after the cremation in addition to or instead of a traditional funeral. An endless array of customization options is available for memorial services.
People are increasingly turning to cremation as their means of choice for final disposition. It’s often more affordable and flexible than a traditional burial but doesn’t require forgoing traditional funeral and memorial services. Contact Amos Family Funeral Home & Crematory to learn more about the cremation process and planning a funeral around it.
