-Kathy Hedrick
Cremation Services in Carlisle, PA
In recent decades, cremation has become a popular alternative to traditional burial. According to the NFDA, since 2015 the rate of cremation has already surpassed burial and will continue to do so, becoming the main form of disposition in North America. Due to this growing popularity, our funeral home is proud to offer personalized cremation services in Carlisle, PA
We have listed below the main information regarding cremation to help you make an informed decision.
What is Cremation?
For the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), cremation is a method of final disposition made through a mechanical and/or thermal process that reduces a body into fragments. Usually, the body is incinerated inside a furnace in temperatures between 1400 and 1600 degrees until it turns into ashes.
Although cremation is an ancient method, the practice has evolved and become highly technical, being monitored throughout the whole process to make sure everything is working right, from the high temperatures to the time of the procedure
After it is complete, the family receives their loved one’s ashes in an urn or container of choice and can decide whether they would like to bury, scatter, or keep them.
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Cremation and Funerals
Choosing cremation neither eliminates nor does it require a funeral service. Traditional or contemporary services are often planned before or after the cremation process. A funeral service followed by cremation may be exactly the same as a funeral service followed by ground burial. They can be elaborate or simple and traditional or nontraditional. Arrangements and ceremonies tend to be as individual as the persons for whom and by whom they are made. They may be personalized specifically to reflect the life of the deceased, and thus have a special meaning. Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory is able to assist in any and all of your funeral service needs.
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The complete cremation service will be just like a complete funeral service except cremation will follow instead of the casketed burial. This can be accommodated by the use of a cremation casket (casket that is designed to be cremated) or the use of a rental casket. Following the viewing, service or ceremony, and eventual cremation, the cremated remains can be buried, properly scattered, or returned to the family for safe keeping. Urns are used to hold the cremated remains. Urns can be constructed out of basic materials like cardboard or plastic, or constructed out of more protective materials like basic and semi-precious metals, ceramics, and woods.
The immediate cremation service can be arranged as an immediate disposition of the body, but is most times followed by a memorial service at the church, funeral home, or other location. A memorial service is one where the body is not present. We recommend that if you select an immediate cremation that you are allowed a time, if possible, to privately view the body as a family. If the viewing can be done in a matter of a few hours after the death then embalming will not be necessary. If there is to be a long delay (more than 8-12 hours) then embalming would be encouraged. If the viewing could not be done within 48 hours then embalming may be required. Viewing of the deceased is a very important step in acknowledging that the death has occurred. Having some type of service or ceremony is also a key ingredient to a healthy recovery of a loss due to a death.
A direct cremation refers to a cremation being provided, while limiting funeral services to the removal and transportation of the deceased into our care.
Why Choose Cremation?
Cremation services are diverse and offer several benefits for the family to choose the best option that fits their needs, likes, and budgets. Some of them include the lower costs, fewer impacts on the environment, the relation to various religious practices, and the flexibility for the family. See more benefits of this method:
- Affordable: Although there are many options available when choosing cremation, this method can cost up to 50% less than a traditional burial. That is because there is no need for a casket, a cemetery property, or even a ceremony. Families only have to pay for the cremation itself and an urn, besides the additional funeral services.
- Simple and intimate: Cremation is a much more simple and intimate option since there is no need to arrange a traditional funeral service. Funeral rituals are usually complex and require several steps, such as a reception, a church mass, and the burial at the cemetery. All that needs to be coordinated in advance and it requires a lot of logistics in such a delicate moment. Cremation, on the other hand, offer easier and more personal ways of honoring the deceased, such as celebrations of life and memorial services.
- Creative: There is no single answer to what to do with your loved one’s ashes. Because they won’t be placed in a cemetery, you can choose what is the best option for you and your family. The ashes can be kept in an urn, it can be scattered in a special place, or put in different memorial items. Creativity is a way of guaranteeing that the person will be honored and always remembered.
- Time: When cremating a loved one the ashes will be with the family for as long as they want, so there is no urgency to do a ceremony. Often the family is caught by surprise and needs more time to process the grief before deciding what kind of service they would like. Cremation is a way to make sure you will have time to arrange something special.
- Environmental conscious: If compared to traditional burial services, cremation is a good environmentally friendly alternative. Besides taking up space and causing a disturbance in the ecosystem, a buried body can release chemicals from the embalming fluid into the soil, and other toxins. Even though the cremation process is a source of carbon emissions, its final impact is much less harmful to the environment if compared to other traditional practices.
- Religion Beliefs: Cremation is a common practice among Buddhism and Hindu faiths, and in the past few decades, Christianism has also become less strict about cremation. The Catholic church has changed its perception about the method in the past and has reaffirmed its acceptance of cremation in 2016. Read more here.
- Closeness and mobility: Cremation might be a way to keep your loved ones close. An urn is a permanent way to remember the family member, but since it is not fixed in one single place, it can be transported and kept close at all times. Even if your family wishes to scatter the ashes, there is always the possibility of keeping part of the remains in an urn or placing them in a unique object, such as jewelry.
Cremation Service Types
Cremation services are various and perfect to attend to every family’s different and unique needs. Not only can you have a visitation and funeral service with cremation, we strongly encourage you to do so. Every life deserves to be remembered, and holding a service helps people to find closure, say goodbye, and come to terms with the loss.
There are several cremation services types you can choose from, including:
- Service with a visitation before the cremation. The deceased’s body will be embalmed and prepared for viewing so guests can visit and say their goodbyes.
- Direct cremation. With this option, the deceased’s body is cremated immediately after the death without a viewing first.
- Cremation with a service. The deceased is cremated right away and then a funeral service in honor of your loved one is held afterwards.
- Cremation with a graveside service. The deceased is cremated right away, then, friends and family will gather by the deceased’s grave plot for a formal funeral service
- Cremation with a celebration of life service. Like the other options, the deceased is cremated right away. Celebration of life services typically take place after the funeral and are more personalized than a traditional funeral.
Importance of Memorialization
Memorialization provides a permanent, secure place for cremated remains to be placed, and for family members and descendants to honor the lives of the deceased. Cremation allows families many choices for memorializing a loved one. Some families choose to keep the cremated remains with them at home, or to scatter the remains over land or water. Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory allows the following memorialization options, among others, for cremated remains:
Memorialization Options for Cremation
- Outdoor Niches – The cremated remains of your loved one's may be safely held in one of our many above ground columbarium niches.
- Scattering – Your loved one’s remains may be scattered freely within a dedicated, natural environment. There are also certain services which offer scattering among the sea or the stars.
- Traditional Burial – In ground burial on a family plot – Urns may be buried at the head or foot of a grave site.
- Personalized Memorialization – Inscribe your family member’s name and a special saying on a tree plaque, park bench, or other special memorial. We also have custom, unique urns and keepsakes, perfect for displaying inside your home. For an overview of these items, please visit our merchandise page, Legacy Touch Keepsakes page, or contact us directly and we will help you with your needs.
Ready to Plan a Cremation Service in Carlisle, PA?
With our array of personalized options, there is an option for every family’s wants and needs. Our staff is confident we can help you plan a cremation service that truly pays tribute to your loved one.
Visit our funeral home or contact us for more information about cremation in Carlisle.