Cremation Explained

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies, Inc.
33 University Square, Suite 333
Madison, WI 53715

What is Cremation?
It is the process of reducing the body to ashes and bone fragments through the use of intense heat. The process usually takes two to four hours. Depending on the size of the body, the cremated remains weigh about three to nine pounds.

Is There A Trend Toward Cremation?
Yes. The percentage of cremations in the United States is steadily rising each year because of the considerable expense of traditional funerals, the diminishing space available for cemeteries, and increasing environmental concerns. In a number of areas in the nation, particularly on the West Coast and in Florida, cremation is the preferred, method of disposition. Over 90% of memorial society members throughout the U.S. choose cremation because they seek a simple, dignified, and affordable option. In England and Japan, where cemetery space is at a premium, the cremation rate is also close to 90%.

Is A Casket Required for Cremation?
No, a casket is never required for cremation. However, most crematories do require that the body be enclosed in some form of rigid container. Under the Federal Trade Commission Rule of 1984, all mortuaries must make available to the customer an unfinished wooden box or similar inexpensive cremation container. Customers may make or furnish their own suitable container.

How Much Does Cremation Cost?
If a mortician is used to transport the body, obtain permits, and file the death certificate, the fee for services may run well over $1,000. If visitation or a funeral service is held before cremation, the charges will be higher.

Many memorial societies offer members cremation services provided by licensed mortuaries at costs considerably less than the national average. Families who care for their own dead can use crematories directly at charges from $75 to $200.

Since 1984, all undertakers are required to explain the firm's charges in detail before a funeral purchase. You also may ask for these prices over the telephone.

Do I Have To Hire An Undertaker?
Possibly not. Most states permit religious groups or private citizens to obtain the necessary death certificate and transit/disposition permits.

Is A Funeral Service Necessary?
Although visitation and a funeral service with a body present may be held before cremation, memorial society members have found it more helpful to have a memorial service. It generally is less costly. Family and friends will appreciate an opportunity to pay tribute to the passing of a special person.

Can A Casket Be Rented?
In many parts of the country, mortuaries will rent an attractive casket to a family that wants to have the body present for visitation or for a funeral service preceding cremation. After the service, the body is transferred to an inexpensive cremation container. Significant saving may be realized by using a rental casket.

What Can Be Done With Cremated Remains?
Several choices exist: they can be placed in a niche in a columbarium, buried, scattered, or kept by the family. Cremated remains are sterile and pose no health hazard. Their disposition is not controlled, except in California.

A columbarium is an assembly of niches designed to hold containers of cremated remains. It is most often located in a mausoleum within a cemetery. Some churches provide niches within the church or as a part of a garden wall.

Earth burial can be in a cemetery, either in a regular grave or in a special urn garden. Many cemeteries will permit two or three containers in one adult-size plot. However, the family, if so inclined, can bury the cremains anywhere it wishes, with the property owner's permission.

Scattering cremains over some area that had significance to the deceased has an appeal for many and is legal in most jurisdictions. Although there are commercial firms which will scatter the cremated remains for a fee, most families prefer to handle this themselves. Remains should be processed first by the crematory to reduce all fragments to fine particles.

Must An Urn Be Purchased?
No. Crematories return the cremated remains in a metal, plastic, or cardboard container that is perfectly adequate for burial, shipping, or placing in a columbarium. The family may prefer an aesthetic or other appropriate receptacle instead. Urns sold by morticians usually cost in excess of $150, but alternative containers are equally suitable.

Are Cremation Societies The Same As Memorial Societies?
No. The most important difference is that memorial societies are not-for-profit consumer groups which are democratically-controlled, whereas direct cremation "societies" operate for profit. They masquerade as nonprofit organizations by using "society" in their name and by charging a "membership" fee. Full-service mortuaries cooperate with most memorial societies to provide their members with a range of funeral options. However, if there is no memorial society in your area, you may find some of the direct cremation firms considerably less expensive than their competition.

How Do Religious Groups View Cremation?
Most religions permit cremation. Since Vatican II Council in 1964, the Code of Canon Law allows Roman Catholics a choice between burial and cremation. The Greek and Jewish Orthodox faiths oppose cremation, as do some others.

Additional Resources:

Dealing Creatively With Death: A Manual of Death Education and Simple Burial by Ernest Morgan, Barclay House, 1991, 12th edition, 183 pages. $11.95

A concise and readable guide on simplicity in funeral arrangements, cremation, body and organ donation, advice on procedures at the time of death, suggestions for memorial services, and much more.

Caring For Your Own Dead: A Final Act of Love by Lisa Carlson,
Upper Access, 1987, 343 pages. $12.95.

A complete guide and state-by-state manual for families who might wish to handle a death without the use of an undertaker. Lists crematories that will work directly with a family. Considers practical matters and how to obtain and file permits. Very useful, even if you choose to work with a mortician.

The above books are available through the CAFMS office. Please include $2.00 for shipping. Credit card orders are accepted. Use the address on the front of this brochure or call 1-800-458-5563.

Memorial Society Directory: An up-to-date list of memorial societies in the U.S. and Canada. Free, but donation appreciated. Please send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request to CAFMS at the address on the front of this pamphlet.
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If your family finds it difficult to talk about preparing for death, you may find one of these pamphlets especially helpful. Please include a long, stamped envelope with your request.

Smoothing the Way Series

No One Wants to Talk About Death: How to Help

A Guide to Funeral Planning: Affordable Options

Cremation Explained: Answers to Frequently asked Questions

Earth Burial: A Tradition in Simplicity

Body Donation: A Gift to Science

Prepaying Your Funeral: Benefits and Dangers

How to Help Grieving People: What You Can Say, What You Can Do

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