Cremations are becoming more and more popular in the United States. This article looks at the benefits of cremation, how it differs from traditional burials, and why it may be a better option than traditional burial for some people.
How does cremation work?
Cremation is a process that turns a dead body, or any organic material, into ashes.
The steps involved are:
1. A specially designed furnace heats up to between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit-this causes the body’s cells to collapse as water evaporates.
2. The ashes are cooled, and any metal coffin used in the cremation is burned off.
3. The remaining material is swept out of crematorium furnaces by a special machine called a cremulator- it weighs the ashes and transfers them into a container for storage.
4. The container is placed in a cool place to allow further cooling before being shipped to the family.
5. The family takes possession of the ashes, which can be stored in an urn, buried in a cemetery plot, buried at sea, or scattered over land or water.
What is the cost of cremation?
Cremation is a cheaper option than a traditional burial-the average cost of cremations is between $1,000 and $2,500, as opposed to the average cost for a traditional burial of around $7,000. Cremations are also much quicker than traditional burials-the length of time involved in the entire process is usually less than a day.
What other benefits does cremation offer?
Cremation has several benefits over traditional burial. For example, cremated remains fit into any standard cemetery plot-a body buried in the ground would take up more space and cost much more money. Another benefit is that you don’t need to wait for and maintain a grave site-cremated remains are usually stored in an urn until they’re ready to be scattered. In contrast, you have to buy a plot and pay to maintain it for decades or even centuries with a traditional burial. The family also has more freedom when choosing where the body will be scattered-some people prefer to scatter their loved ones at home, so they can say goodbye in a place that was significant to them.
When would a traditional burial be a better choice?
Traditional burial is the best choice for some people, like those who want their loved one to be buried near other family members or next to a particular person or landmark. Cremation does not allow you this same level of control.
If you think cremation is a better option than traditional burial for you or your family, there are many funeral homes in many parts of America that offer full-service cremations.
