Honoring Choices, Celebrating Lives

The Cremation Hub

Cremation offers a flexible, meaningful, and increasingly popular way to honor a loved one’s life. This hub provides resources, guidance, and support to help families understand their options, plan meaningful services, and navigate cremation-related decisions.

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Table of Contents

Key Things To Know
Resources
Cremation Related Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Information Hub Feedback & Suggestions

Key Things To Know

Cremation is an increasingly common choice for final disposition, offering flexibility in memorial planning and often lower costs than traditional burial. Understanding how it works, what it involves, and what options are available can help you make informed and meaningful decisions.

Cremation is a process, not a service: It refers specifically to the reduction of the body to ashes through high heat. Any memorial or funeral service is separate and can happen before or after the cremation.
You can still have a funeral or viewing with cremation: Many families choose to have a traditional service with the body present before cremation, often using a rented casket.
There are legal requirements and waiting periods: Most states require specific paperwork, including permits and a death certificate, and may enforce a mandatory waiting period before cremation can occur.
Cremated remains can be handled in many ways: Ashes can be buried, kept at home, placed in a columbarium, scattered in a meaningful location, or even turned into memorial objects like jewelry or artwork.
Religious views on cremation vary: Some traditions fully accept cremation, while others discourage or prohibit it. It's helpful to consult your faith community if this is a concern.
You can prepay or prearrange cremation services: Doing so can reduce stress for your loved ones and lock in costs ahead of time. Be sure to document your wishes clearly.
Direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable option: This involves cremation without a funeral or viewing beforehand, and remains are returned to the family.
You still need to decide what to do with the ashes: Families often delay making a decision, so it’s helpful to consider final placement ahead of time.
Environmental considerations are evolving: Traditional cremation uses fossil fuels, but newer methods like alkaline hydrolysis or “water cremation” are emerging as greener alternatives in some areas.
Not all cremation providers are the same: It's important to choose a licensed, reputable provider who follows clear identification and tracking procedures throughout the process.

Resources

Deciding whether cremation is right for you should be an informed and thoughtful choice. Thankfully, we offer resources to guide you every step of the way.

Cremation 101

Everything You Need to Know About the Basics and Fundamentals

Read the Article

10 Tips To Help Decide If Cremation Is Right for You

Need some help deciding if cremation is right for you?

Read the Article

Listen Up!

We've assembled a list of hospice, palliative care, and death doula podcasts for you.

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Cremation Related Content

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing a body to ashes using high heat. It is an alternative to traditional burial and can be paired with various memorial options.

2. How does cremation differ from burial?

Cremation does not involve placing a body in a casket or burial plot unless the cremated remains are interred. It provides more flexibility in memorialization, including scattering, keeping ashes at home, or placing them in a columbarium.

3. Can cremation be part of a funeral service?

Yes, cremation can be incorporated into a funeral or memorial service. Families often choose to hold a service before or after the cremation.

4. What are cremation ashes?

Cremation ashes, or cremains, are the remains left after the cremation process. They can be stored, scattered, or used in memorial items like jewelry or art.

5. What are the costs associated with cremation?

Cremation costs vary but are often less expensive than traditional burial. Costs may include the cremation process, urns, memorial services, and cremation niches if interment is chosen.

6. Are there different types of cremation?

Yes, options include traditional cremation, which uses flame, and alkaline hydrolysis (or water cremation), an environmentally friendly method that uses water and chemicals.

7. What options are available for ashes?

Ashes can be scattered, buried, stored in an urn, placed in a columbarium, or transformed into keepsakes like jewelry, glass art, or even planted with a tree.

8. Is cremation eco-friendly?

Cremation is generally more eco-friendly than traditional burial, especially water cremation. However, it still has an environmental impact, particularly in energy use.

9. Can cremation align with religious or cultural traditions?

Many religions and cultures accept cremation, though views differ. It’s important to check specific traditions and customs before choosing cremation.

10. How do I choose an urn?

Urns come in various styles, materials, and sizes. The choice depends on personal preferences and how you plan to store, scatter, or display the ashes.