Many people rush into deciding whether to cremate or bury a family member or friend without giving the matter much thought. Many families opt for cremation because they feel it best honors the dead. Some people favor cremation because it's easier to make arrangements for, while others think it's cheaper than burial. However, for several reasons, cremation isn't necessarily the best option for everyone.
The majority of Americans opt for cremation when planning a funeral. Even though most families choose cremation, many also honor the deceased with a more traditional funeral service.
Direct cremation is a quick and easy way to dispose of a body. The practice became widespread in the early twentieth century when most North Americans were being buried. This custom was abandoned after the introduction of cremation technology in the 1950s. There are benefits and drawbacks to every option for disposing of human remains, even though cremation remains the standard practice.
Funeral directors and other professionals need to be aware of the various options available to families, as they are the ones who will typically handle the actual arrangement of the funeral itself. Even though cremation is the preferred option for most families, it is still important to understand the range of available services. This is one of the most common domestic concerns. Is a conventional burial possible, or do you need the services of a crematorium? To that end, this article will discuss what exactly "direct cremation" is, how it is carried out, and why more people opt to get Direct Cremation Plans.
What's A Direct Cremation?
If you don't want a traditional funeral service, direct cremation is a modern option. It provides an affordable funeral service so you can say your final goodbyes without breaking the bank. Many families choose to host a memorial service or celebration of life on their own to honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away.
This indicates that there will be no minister, no funeral procession, no limousines, and no pallbearers. This does not indicate that your care or the care of your loved one is being skimped on in any way.
A direct cremation can save money by eliminating the need for costly extras like embalming, a viewing of the body, a funeral service, and transportation for the deceased's loved ones.
How Does It Work?
One of the draws for families is the quick and easy procedure:
- The cremation service provider will take care of your deceased loved one.
- Your loved one's room is kept at a comfortable temperature and humidity level.
- The filing of paperwork and approvals
- A substitute (cardboard) container is used for the cremation.
- Ashes are typically interred in inexpensive cardboard or plastic containers.
- The urn can be picked up or sent via insured mail.
Timeframes range from one to two weeks, depending on factors such as the efficiency of the funeral home and the pace at which the death is recorded (which involves several different people). To find out how long it will take the funeral home to complete its procedure, ask if the ashes will be on display at the memorial service.
Why Should Someone Opt for Direct Cremation?
When compared to other funeral practices, like burial or interment, direct cremation has many benefits.
Direct cremation has financial benefits over traditional burial or other memorial services. The cost of a burial plot, a headstone, and any landscaping done to enhance the appearance of the grave site can quickly add up.
A funeral with all the proper rites and rituals can cost several thousand dollars. On the other hand, direct cremation can cut costs by more than half.
Additionally, direct cremation typically takes less time to complete than other options. A remote online arrangement can be scheduled, and the ashes can be delivered within two weeks. Depending on how quickly you need all your documents processed, it might take as little as 48 hours. The actual cremation process takes four to five hours.
Additionally, this allows for some leeway in direct cremation. Without an immediate funeral or memorial to organize, families are free to hold a service whenever it is most convenient for them, regardless of cost.
Without the constraints of custom, families are free to say their goodbyes as they see fit.
Setbacks of Direct Cremation
There are limitations to direct cremation despite its advantages in terms of timeliness, cost, and adaptability.
The lack of rituals typically observed at a funeral service is the most significant drawback of direct cremation.
Those who wish to say their final goodbyes to the body before it is cremated will be unable to do so, especially if they live a long distance away. However, a memorial service, a celebration of life, or a scattering ceremony can be held to remember the departed.
For this reason, we stress the importance of having an open and frank discussion about this decision with loved ones for those considering direct cremation.
Conclusion
Direct cremation or in-ground burial allows you to have your loved one's remains placed in an above-ground vault or buried directly in the ground. Because neither the funeral home nor the cemetery handles the remains in this scenario, neither the family nor the funeral home has to pay anything. This may be the ideal scenario, but it is not always possible, especially if the deceased belonged to a specific religious group. It's also not always the best choice for families living in more remote areas or not wanting to be buried on their land. This is because most cemetery lots for burials in the ground are located in cities.
