You're Not A Viking, But That's Okay: Dealing With Your Loved One's Desire To Be Cremated
Having a conversation about death can be very uncomfortable for some people, yet there are others who don't seem to be bothered by the prospect of discussing their last wishes. Has a loved one ever mentioned to you that they wish to be cremated? Does that concern you? Perhaps the idea of cremation brings to mind Viking ships and pagan ceremonies. Regardless of your personal views, it is important to respect your loved one's last wishes. To ease your mind, here are a few facts about cremation that you should be aware of.
1. Cremation is less expensive than burial.
If your loved one's concern is for your financial well-being, cremation may be a very attractive option. By some estimates, a traditional burial can cost twice as much as cremation, yet the end results are still the same. If you would like, it is even possible to have your loved one's ashes buried.
2. You can still have a funeral service, even if a person is cremated.
If your hesitation for having a loved one cremated is based on the thought that you would not be able to have a traditional funeral service for your loved one, this is unfounded. Many people who choose to be cremated at a place like Duchynski-Cherko Funeral Home, are also given a funeral service. In some cases, the ashes are present at the funeral, and in others, the body is taken to the crematory instead of a burial plot after the service.
3. Cremation is not prohibited in the Bible.
Many Christians are hesitant to choose cremation for a loved one because of feared Biblical implications. However, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit cremation. Often, people are concerned specifically about the resurrection of the body on the last day, but advocates of cremation point out that even bodies that are buried will return to dust. Cremation simply speeds up the process.
4. Cremation is environmentally responsible.
Often, people who desire to be cremated make this choice for environmental reasons. Limited cemetery space is becoming increasingly scarce, and some people see cremation as a way to conserve land and space. In some countries, such as Japan, almost everyone who dies is cremated.
5. Today's cremation services take place in a crematory, not a Viking ship.
Sometimes people desire to be cremated out of a romanticized idea of how a cremation actually takes place. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of watching your loved one's body burn, you can be relieved to know that while some funeral homes offer viewings of the remains entering the furnace, you do not actually have to watch the process. Also, if a burial at sea is your loved one's desire, you can still spread their ashes over the water without having to burn down the boat.