Cremation is one of the oldest ways to send off a loved one who has passed away. It has been used by many cultures and in many different ways, but modern laws and rules have made things a little more complicated, so it is essential to understand the process of having your loved one cremated.
Waiting Period
After a loved one passes, the body will go to a funeral home or mortuary to be prepared for interment or cremation. If your loved one has specified cremation, the funeral home can make the arrangement, but many states require a few days between death and cremation.
The waiting period ensures that there is no reason to suspect any suspicious circumstances and to preserve the body in case blood or tissue samples need to be taken for testing. Once the waiting period is over, the funeral home can send the body to be cremated at a crematorium. The funeral home will make the arrangements and transport the body so the family does not need to deal with any of this.
Once the cremation is complete, the ashes are sent back to the funeral home, but they are often in a box, not an urn. If you are going to keep the ashes, you will need to choose a vessel for them.
For families that want to distribute some of the ashes to several family members, the funeral home can order small urns and put some of the ashes in each one. This is a good option for children who want to share a parent's ashes and live in different areas.
Spreading The Ashes
Many people have an idea about where to spread their loved one's ashes, and sometimes the location is someplace the person loved but is also very public. It is essential that before spreading the ashes, you check to see if it is allowed in that area.
A national park or national forest is a good option, and spreading cremation remains is allowed in most of them. The park will most likely ask you to take the ashes off a trail or path before spreading them, so look for a spot that offers a little privacy and meets the guidelines of park management.
If you are considering spreading the ashes at the ocean or a remote lake, you can go to a private area so you can spread the ashes without being disturbed. Spreading the remains can be quick and straightforward, or you can hold a ceremony with some friends and family present and include them in spreading the remains.
For more information, contact a funeral home in your area, such as Fletcher Funeral Home PA.
