Cremation has become increasingly popular, with people like you considering it for yourself or a loved one. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation has become the number one choice for Americans, with 60.4 percent choosing it in 2023. It was just 4% in 1960 and has steadily increased.
Why Cremation Has Become a Popular Choice
People are choosing cremation over traditional funerals for different reasons:
- Cremations are flexible. You can choose whether or not you want any remembrance ceremony (such as a funeral or visitation) beforehand. Having a service before the cremation allows the family to say goodbye to their loved one’s body. With a memorial service held after the cremation, you can have it at any time.
- Cremations are typically less expensive than traditional funerals (we’ll cover costs in a moment).
- Ashes can be portable. If you move and choose to place your loved one’s ashes in an urn or piece of jewelry, they can move with you.
The Cremation Process
Most people are curious about the exact process of cremation, and that’s understandable. You want to know what is going to happen to your loved one’s body. Before cremation can take place, pacemakers and other implanted medical devices must be removed, as these can explode under very high temperatures, causing potential hazards to the crematory staff and equipment. Some jewelry can also be destroyed during the cremation process, so before your loved one is transferred to the crematory, ask the funeral director to remove any items you’d like to keep
Once the casket or container arrives at the crematory, it is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. It will typically take 2 to 2 1/2 hours for all organic matter to be consumed. If they choose, family members may request to be present. Only bone fragments, known as cremated remains or ashes, are left behind when the process is complete. These are removed from the chamber and allowed to cool. Any metal is removed with a magnet. Then, the cremated remains are processed into fine particles and placed in a temporary container. If the family has already purchased an urn, the remains are placed directly in it. Rest assured that the entire cremation process is respectful, and a careful system ensures correct identification.
Cremation Costs
Like funerals, cremation costs vary throughout the country. In Indiana, the average cost in 2024 for a direct cremation – which is the immediate cremation of the deceased without a formal funeral service being held – is $2,284. The average cost for a cremation with a memorial service varies depending on the type of service selected. See our Guaranteed Pricing to see the options we have available for cremation.
What Can You Do with Your Loved One’s Cremated Remains?
Another benefit of cremation is that it allows for various options that can be done with the cremated remains. Let’s take a look at some of the most common choices:
The Traditional Urn
Perhaps the most traditional choice is to enshrine a loved one’s ashes in a beautiful urn that can then be placed somewhere prominently in your home. Of course, if you’ve seen the movie “Meet the Parents,” you will undoubtedly remember the incident with the flying cork and DiNiro’s mother’s ashes taking a spill off the mantle. While the results were hilarious in the film, people should be sure to place the urn where it will be secure.
A Columbarium
A columbarium is a place within a cemetery or church that houses cremated remains in individual “niches.” Some prefer this option because they feel it gives their loved one a dignified resting place, but it also provides a place for all family members to visit.
Divided Among Family Members
Who decides who gets to keep Dad’s ashes? Cremated remains can divided among family members so everyone can keep Dad close. Besides urns, ashes may also be kept in:
- Memorial jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings for both men and women
- Keepsakes, including glass works of art
- Unique items such as vinyl records and paintings
Scattering
Scattering can be done in varied locations. Here are just a few possibilities:
- Public Places: Maybe your family members requested to have their ashes scattered in, on, or around someplace they considered very special. Check with your local ordinances to know what is permissible. National parks, for instance, do not permit ashes to be scattered.
- Private Land: Scattering on someone else’s private property, such as a loved one’s favorite sports stadium, is only permitted if you obtain permission. Don’t believe us? Just ask the guy who was arrested after running onto the field during an Eagles game to scatter his mom’s ashes.
- At Sea: If your loved one had an affinity for the ocean, you may also want to scatter the ashes at sea. Maritime requirements permit scattering the ashes at least three miles out from shore.
- By Air: You can scatter loved ones’ ashes by air, such as in a hot-air balloon or small planes with a licensed pilot, such as Chicago-based Aerial Egress. Some companies will even include a small portion of the ashes in a fireworks display.
Other Ideas
- If you have the ashes of loved ones at home, it may be time to think about a more permanent place. Tippecanoe Memory Gardens has a free Cremation Garden that gives you and your loved ones a place to visit for years to come.
- Please request a free copy of our Everything Cremation Guide.
By Carrie Phelps-Campbell, Blog contributor