News & FCAME Publications: Reference Guide
II. CREMATION
| Introduction I. Funerals II. Cremation III. Earth Burial IV. Legalities V. Prepaying Your Funeral VI. Donation (Whole Body, Organ/Tissue) VII. Veterans Cemeteries |
What is cremation and why would one favor it over earth burial?
Cremation is a process by which intense heat reduces the body to ashes in a matter of hours. Cremated remains, called "ashes" or "CREMAINS," are whitish in color. Cremation costs less than earth burial (ashes don't require expensive caskets), and it conserves the use of land (ashes don't utilize much space).
Is cremation becoming increasingly popular?
Yes. Nationwide, about 25 percent of the population choose cremation, according to the Cremation Association of North America; that percentage is expected to reach 50 by 2025.
What is "Direct Cremation"?
It is an itemized "package" which a funeral home must offer (provided cremation is not prohibited by its religious dictates). The FTC assumes that Direct Cremation includes the basic services fee (for basic mortuary staff services and overhead); removal of remains from the local place of death; and transportation to the crematory. The price of the actual cremation (i.e., the CREMATORY FEE) may be included or listed separately; if its cost is not stated, find out what it is. The price of minimum containers for holding the body during cremation and for the return of ashes may be included or listed separately. In our area a direct cremation costs on the average of $1500, according to our price survey of 2005.
Direct Cremation is without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present.
A memorial service, without the body present, frequently follows a Direct Cremation. It may be held at any time or place without the need for a mortician. For tips on planning a memorial service, consult Earnest Morgan's book "Dealing creatively with death: a manual of death education & simple burial," Zinn Communications, 1994, which can be ordered from the national FCA office (1-800-765-0107).
Into what is the body placed for cremation, and what is the cost?
While lower-cost cremation caskets have become popular in the last 5 to 8 years, a casket is never required for cremation. The body is usually placed in a so-called "alternative container" (an "alternative" to a casket) defined by the FTC as a "wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamention or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains....[It is] made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, or composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials."
The least expensive alternative container, made of cardboard, is referred to as a minimum container and costs anywhere from $25 to $65; it should have a rigid bottom for easy maneuvering into the crematory chamber. More expensive containers are sturdier and cost several hundred dollars. All disintegrate, as does a casket, during the cremation process.
Sometimes for cremation the body is placed in a pouch (perhaps $35) which is plastic and available in varying thicknesses. Like a container, it retains body fluids prior to cremation. However, a pouch does not roll easily into the crematory chamber: it may melt and burn crematory employees--not to mention the loss of dignity to the deceased. Hence, some crematories do not permit its use.
What are "cremains"?
Cremains are cremated remains, or ashes. They are whitish in color and weigh between 3 and 9 pounds depending upon the size of the body.
Is it necessary to purchase an urn to hold ashes (cremains)?
No. After cremation, the crematory will return cremains in a modest metal, tin, plastic, or cardbard container. Thus purchase of an urn or more elaborate container--which may cost anywhere from $65 to several thousand dollars--is optional. An alternative to an expensive urn from a mortuary might be a tasteful piece of pottery (which, for an adult of average size, should be large enough to hold a five-pound bag of sugar with a little room left over).
How are ashes (cremains) memorialized?
Ashes are typically scattered over a body of water or piece of land, stored in an urn, buried or scattered in a cemetery, or placed in a cemetery's columbarium, which is a building with hundreds of recesses, or niches, for holding containers of cremains. (The Board of Morticians in MD has issued a "disposition of cremated remains notification" which states that one may place ashes in a cemetery, retain them, or scatter them over one's own property, the property of another if permission is granted, or over a body of water at least 3 miles from land.)
What sorts of costs are involved with cremation?
If a mortician transports the body, obtains permits, and files the death certificate--these services constitute a "Direct Cremation"--the cost is on the average of $1500 in our area (as ascertained in our 2005 price survey). The CREMATORY FEE, for the cremation process itself, is in the neighborhood of $200 in our locale. (Always inquire about this fee; sometimes it is included in the price of Direct Cremation, sometimes not.) The price of an alternative container to hold the body during cremation costs anywhere from $25 to several hundred dollars. An urn to hold ashes may cost $65 to several thousand dollars (consider instead a piece of tasteful pottery as mentioned above). If cremains will be placed in a cemetery, count roughly on somewhere between $700 and $1400 for in-ground burial and perhaps around $3,000 for inurnment in a cemetery's columbarium.
NOTE: For Direct Cremation, the BASIC SERVICES FEE--a special charge for basic mortuary staff services and overhead--is already included. However if embalming or formal viewing and ceremony are desired prior to cremation--this would no longer be a "direct" cremation--the basic services fee must be paid extra. In our area this fee runs on the average of $1500 (as ascertained in our 2005 price survey).
Is embalming necessary?
(See also p. 7.) No. Embalming is rarely mandated by law but is usually required by mortuaries when a viewing will take place--typically not the case prior to cremation. However some families may wish embalming and a viewing prior to cremation; if so, ask about renting, not purchasing, a casket, which obviously will be needed for the viewing only.
Are there special preparations of the body prior to cremation?
Yes. A pacemaker should be removed because it can explode. Valuables, such as rings or other jewelry, should also be removed.
Are cremation societies the same as memorial societies?
No. So-called cremation societies are actually commercial, for- profit enterprises. Indeed our parent organization, the Funeral Consumers Alliance, changed its name from Memorial Society because of misuse of the word "society" by commercial entities.
Is it necessary to use a mortician?
No, in 42 states it is not. Click here for a brief discussion of the laws in MD, Delaware , and W.Va.
To learn about handling arrangements without using a mortuary, consult Lisa Carlson's book "Caring for the dead: your final act of love" (Upper Access, Inc., 1998), which explains necessary permits, tells when and where to file them, and offers other practical information for each state. (This book can be found in your public library or ordered from the national FCA office at 1-800-765-0107.) Read especially chapter 8 "Managing Death: Necessary Information," pp. 48-59; study the chapter dealing with the laws of your state; and examine the section "Death Certificate Instructions," pp. 615-623.
Also contact "Crossings: caring for our own at death" at 301-593-5451 or visit their website at www.crossings.net.