You probably don't want to think about it, but at some stage you need to decide what should happen to your remains when you've passed away. Your loved ones will have to know whether you'd prefer to be buried or cremated, for instance. If you prefer the latter, there are several cremation options to consider.
Archaeological records show that even the earliest people sometimes cremated their dead. It was practiced in Persia, Phoenicia, Greece, Rome and other ancient civilizations. Viking leaders were often sent to sea in burning boats as a sign of honor. Buddhism and Hinduism still prescribe the practice as a way for the soul to be sent on its way.
Many people believe that a cremated body becomes ashes. However, what actually happens is that the process breaks down the body into basic chemicals, including gases and fragments of dry bone. Most crematoriums crush the fragments of bone until they are fine, like sand.
A body can be cremated in two ways. The conventional way is to place it in a very hot furnace. This is known as a cremation chamber.
Some people are concerned about the environmental effects of cremating a body the conventional way, since it involves the burning of fossil fuels. Cremating embalmed bodies may also release potentially harmful chemicals into the air. However, there are strict environmental regulations that crematoriums have to comply to.
If you want your final journey to cause as little harm to the environment as possible, you may want to choose the other option, which is a green cremation. Instead of using a furnace and fire, this process uses water in combination with potassium hydroxide to break down the body. It is still new, so you'll have to check whether any funeral service providers in your area can do this.
In comparison to burial, there are some definite advantages to being cremated. Ashes take up much less space than having to bury a complete body. In fact, ashes don't even have to be buried but can be placed in an urn in a wall or remembrance or they can be scattered. You will have to check your local legislation about this, though, since there may be regulations about where you may scatter ashes.
For many people the deciding factor in opting for cremation is that it is cheaper. You don't need a fancy casket, but can be cremated in one made of cardboard. Some places even allow a shroud instead of any kind of casket. You don't have to be embalmed either. Should you pass away in a different location, being cremated there will save much money too, since your ashes will be cheaper to fly home than your body in a coffin.
The best way to tell your nearest and dearest which cremation options you would like most is to have a living will. This states in writing what you want to happen to your remains. Even though you may want to keep in mind your religion's views on the issue, the decision is ultimately yours and yours alone.
Archaeological records show that even the earliest people sometimes cremated their dead. It was practiced in Persia, Phoenicia, Greece, Rome and other ancient civilizations. Viking leaders were often sent to sea in burning boats as a sign of honor. Buddhism and Hinduism still prescribe the practice as a way for the soul to be sent on its way.
Many people believe that a cremated body becomes ashes. However, what actually happens is that the process breaks down the body into basic chemicals, including gases and fragments of dry bone. Most crematoriums crush the fragments of bone until they are fine, like sand.
A body can be cremated in two ways. The conventional way is to place it in a very hot furnace. This is known as a cremation chamber.
Some people are concerned about the environmental effects of cremating a body the conventional way, since it involves the burning of fossil fuels. Cremating embalmed bodies may also release potentially harmful chemicals into the air. However, there are strict environmental regulations that crematoriums have to comply to.
If you want your final journey to cause as little harm to the environment as possible, you may want to choose the other option, which is a green cremation. Instead of using a furnace and fire, this process uses water in combination with potassium hydroxide to break down the body. It is still new, so you'll have to check whether any funeral service providers in your area can do this.
In comparison to burial, there are some definite advantages to being cremated. Ashes take up much less space than having to bury a complete body. In fact, ashes don't even have to be buried but can be placed in an urn in a wall or remembrance or they can be scattered. You will have to check your local legislation about this, though, since there may be regulations about where you may scatter ashes.
For many people the deciding factor in opting for cremation is that it is cheaper. You don't need a fancy casket, but can be cremated in one made of cardboard. Some places even allow a shroud instead of any kind of casket. You don't have to be embalmed either. Should you pass away in a different location, being cremated there will save much money too, since your ashes will be cheaper to fly home than your body in a coffin.
The best way to tell your nearest and dearest which cremation options you would like most is to have a living will. This states in writing what you want to happen to your remains. Even though you may want to keep in mind your religion's views on the issue, the decision is ultimately yours and yours alone.