When a loved one passes away, the task of putting him or her to rest only adds to the overwhelming feelings of grief and stress. Depending on any last wishes, you may feel as though the options are limited. However, if burial is not financially feasible or desired, there is another solution: direct cremation.
What is Direct Cremation?
In brief, the body is taken immediately to be cremated soon after death. Embalming or other steps to preserve it for later viewing are not performed. Many mortuaries have packaged options that include a basic urn, transport of the deceased from the place of death to the crematorium and logistical items such as death certificates.
Advantages
Compared to burial or cremation services that include a viewing of the body beforehand, this is a much more economical option. Since the body does not need to be preserved for a long period of time, you do need to spend extra for a casket and other mortuary services, for example. Also, you will generally be working with the crematorium only at this stage, which makes arrangements easier to handle so that you can focus on being with family.
Other Considerations When Choosing Direct Cremation
Because this is a cheaper option, many services one would typically associate with laying a loved one to rest will not be done for you. For example, arrangements to use a chapel or another venue for a memorial service will not be included. Additionally, the urn or packaging included is basic, sometimes consisting of a cardboard box, so you may need to find a more suitable urn later depending on how you wish to keep the ashes. Ultimately, the goal of direct cremation is to take care of the deceased quickly and in a dignified way.
Remembering Your Loved One
Once the body has been cremated, you can start thinking of how you wish to celebrate your loved one's life. If you wish to display the urn at a memorial, cremation gives you the flexibility to decide where to best do this, since you do not need to worry about enlisting a mortuary to transport the body again. You may choose to have a service at home, for instance. If you prefer, funeral homes are happy to discuss memorial service options at a later time.
If money is tight but you still wish to fulfill your loved one's wishes, consider direct cremation. Crematoriums and mortuaries are ready to make arrangements efficiently to allow you to focus on other tasks. Speak with one like Romero Family Funeral Home Corp. today to explore your options, and see which works for you and your family.
Share7 April 2015
When my father passed away a year ago, my mother didn't have any problems with the funeral or burial. My father planned his funeral in advance. He didn't want to burden my mom with any problems during her time of grieving. That hit me. I realized that I didn't have any plans for my own future, which would make it even harder on my wife and kids. So, I contacted a funeral home online and requested information about burial services. The funeral home provided me with many options that I could afford to pay over time or upfront. My wife also helped select burial plots for us because we didn't want to be separated — even after death. I encourage you to read through my blog. It offers great tips and advice on how to plan for your own future. Don't wait. You never know what life holds for you.