When planning a funeral, whether for yourself or a loved one, there are many things to weigh and consider. One of the most important decisions you will make at this difficult time is where the remains should be buried, or what should be done with them if they are not going to be buried or entombed. There are many options available to people of all cultural and religious backgrounds that cater to all spiritual beliefs and individual concerns. This short guide will introduce several of these options and help you decide which one is right for you.
Traditional funerals are the most common practice. A ceremony is held in remembrance of the deceased. Loved ones have the opportunity to die together and share stories from the life of the deceased. The body may be displayed before being transported to the site of burial, entombment, or cremation. A hearse may lead a funeral procession to the final resting place where a more solemn ceremony is performed while the remains are interred. Traditional funeral services are often the most expensive option, as there are a multitude of additional fees. The cost of the casket, hearse, funeral home, embalming process, and cemetery land all contribute to this higher cost. The cost can be reduced by having a direct burial service. In this case, there is no ceremony or wake. The body is not dressed or embalmed, but immediately buried in a less expensive container. The body may also be cremated shortly after death. These options still leave room for a small memorial service, often limited to family members and only the closest of friends, but this will usually incur an additional fee.
If the body is cremated, then the question arises what to do with the cremated remains or cremains. They are often scattered, although there are a number of legal concerns regarding this option. The easiest thing is for a licensed company to scatter the ashes. Some offer dispersal services at sea. These services will often allow you to specify a location for dispersal. Other more exotic options include incorporating the ash into the construction of artificial reefs, or launching it into Earth orbit or deep space. This was the fate of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the ‘Star Trek’ television series. Some companies now even offer the option of turning the ashes into a man-made diamond, made up of the carbon from the deceased’s remains. This gem can then be mounted on a ring or necklace.
The body can also be donated to science. Many medical schools and teaching hospitals need human bodies to use in training new doctors. These programs will generally cover much of the cost of the delivery and final disposition of the body. Organs can also be donated to benefit those in need.
