QUESTIONS ABOUT CREMATION

Q. What is cremation - exactly?
A. Cremation is simply the process of reducing the body to bone fragments through the application of intense heat. With the technology that exists today, the cremation process is very quick, clean, efficient- and dignified as well. A combination of high heat and air, in a specially designed chamber, complete the task. At all times, the remains are treated with care and reverence.

Q. How widely is cremation accepted now?
A. Society’s acceptance of cremation continues to grow worldwide. In the decade of the 90’s, Japan’s cremation rate was 96% and in places like Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain, the rate was higher than 60%. Within New England, acceptance is now so wide spread that the area may lead the nation. By the year 2010, it is possible that one out of every two deceased in the region will be cremated.

Q. Isn’t cremation against the tenets of most religions?
A. Most emphatically "no." The large majority of religions permit cremation. Greek Orthodox, Conservative and Orthodox Jews tend to oppose it, but those are the only major religious groups that do. The Catholic church, once opposed to cremation, now accepts it and indeed cremations of Catholics have increased significantly in the last twenty years.

Q. Don’t most people feel cremation is "impersonal" and disrespectful of the dead?
A. Now that it is more widely understood, cremation has gained acceptance as a "thoughtful" and caring process, usually representing the carefully-considered wishes of the deceased. Families have learned that cremation is, after all, preparation for memorialization – not simply a final disposition. Virtually everyone, according to psychologists who have studied the subject of death and grieving, needs to know that the remains of loved ones have been honored and can be visited again. Contrary to what some people believe, cremation does not limit one’s choices. Cremation, in fact, is only one part in a series of events that lead to long term respect and remembrance.

Q. Does cremation rule out a funeral or traditional "farewell?"
A. The choice of cremation in no way eliminates a funeral. A traditional or contemporary-type service is often planned to take place before the cremation process – or after it has occurred (sometimes both are done in different locales). Some families prefer to gather at a convenient time for the final committal of the cremated remains. A ceremony may be highly personalized to reflect the life of the deceased and, thus, have special meaning for those present.

Q. Aren’t most cremated remains "scattered?"
A. There are many methods of disposing of cremated remains and scattering – although an increasingly popular choice – is only one of the options. Cremated remains may be placed in an urn, which come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. An urn serves the same purpose that a casket does with burial: it holds the remains and becomes a part of the memorial site. Popular places for a permanent resting place are urn gardens, standard cemetery plots or within a niche in an indoor or outdoor columbarium.

Cremated remains may be scattered in cemetery gardens especially created and dedicated for this purpose. (Fern Hill at Forest Hills Cemetery is a good example). This dedicated cemetery property will never be developed for any other use. Often the individuals whose cremated remains have been scattered in the garden are identified on a special memorial plaque or marker.

Q. Where do environmentalists stand on the subject of cremation?
A. Increasingly, cremation is becoming a popular choice among those concerned with protecting treasured natural resources. With cemeteries in urban areas becoming filled to capacity – and the price of land everywhere continues to escalate – cremation seems to be the most logical, and responsible, means of disposing of remains.

Q. Should arrangements for cremation be made in advance?
A. Having a plan and sharing it with loved ones is one of the most special gifts anyone can give – to help spare family and friends from making difficult decisions at a time of grieving. Nothing can be more thoughtful than making arrangements for a funeral ceremony and for cremation especially, on a "pre-need" basis, and making your wishes known to a funeral service professional. You may want to specify whether you want a period of visitation prior to the service; whether you want an open casket; whether you want special music and prayers – and what kind, specifically; and of course, you should specify as to the disposition of cremated remains.

Whatever the case, it is important to keep in mind that today arrangements are as individual as the persons for whom and by whom they are made. A ceremony may be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased – and therefore have special meaning for those who are left behind.