Cremation Explained - Answers to Questions Most Frequently Asked

The following is an excerpt from a pamphlet published by the Cremation Association of North America to provide information and express the views of its members. CANA members are pledged to further the high standards of the cremation service, to present the concept of cremation on the highest level of integrity and to emphasize the importance of proper memorialization.

CANA encourages its members to manage their crematories in a manner that will assure the process of cremation is not only a means whereby the deceased human body is transformed into its basic elements but also that the body is afforded respect and dignity during cremation and after the process is completed. It is therefore incumbent upon CANA’s members to provide clean and efficient facilities, to keep accurate records, to protect the integrity of the cremated remains and, finally, to encourage some form of commemoration of the life of the deceased. .

Isn’t cremation an end in itself?
Some people may regard it as such, but most families feel that the cremated remains of someone they love should be afforded a resting place that can be identified by the name anddates. This is memorialization. Most families find that a memorial, regardless of its size, serves a basic human need to remember and to be remembered. .

What choices of memorialization are available?
A final resting place for cremated remains can be provided by various means. The family may choose from a full selection of urns for permanent containment of the cremated remains. The urns may be placed in a columbarium, which is a building or structure where single niche space or family units may be selected. Niches are recessed compartments enclosed by either glass protecting the engraved urn or ornamental fronts upon which the name and dates are featured. Of course, family lots may be used and cemeteries often permit the interment of more than one person in an adult space if cremation has occurred. In many cemeteries there are also specially designed areas for this purpose, which are called urn gardens. .

What about scattering cremated remains?
This may be legally done in most areas, but CANA members believe that in consideration of the descendants of the departed that some form of memorialization should be provided. Furthermore, there are reasons for not scattering, because it is for many a very traumatic experience. It can be soul shaking to spill out all that is mortal of someone you have known and loved. One should realize how much is being asked of the person who is to do the scattering. Some crematories provide scattering gardens within their dedicated property, often with the option of personal memorials. The use of dedicated property assures the site chosen will not be developed for other use at some future time. .

How does the cost of cremation compare with burial or entombment?
The basic charge for just cremation is somewhat less than traditional burial. However, with so many items of service available to the family both in the funeral service before and in the mode of disposition after, it’s not possible to make an accurate comparison. Again, the family has the option to select as much or as little as they choose and with cremation they have more options. .

Is a funeral director necessary?
Some governmental jurisdictions require a licensed person to transport a body and to obtain the necessary permits. Funeral directors are among those so licensed and are the only ones permitted to do so in some jurisdictions. Normally, the funeral director performs the same professional functions regarding cremations as in any other service. In some areas funeral directors operate crematories in conjunction with their funeral homes and are CANA members. .

Is embalming necessary?
No, but the factors of time, health and possible legal regulations and religious beliefs might make embalming prior to cremation either appropriate or necessary. As a point of information, heart pacemakers or similar devices should be removed, because they may become dangerous when subjected to the extreme heat of the the cremation chamber.

How to Choose the Correct Urn Size

The best way to determine the cubic inch size (capacity) of the urn would be to ask the crematorium about the amount of cubic inches of cremains you can expect when the cremation process is complete.

The amount of cremains can be hard to determine because of many variables such as skeletal size, how long the cremains are in the cremation chamber, and the amount of processing that is done to the cremains. This is why the crematoriums are the best ones to know what size urn you need because only they know the amount of cremains that are produced using their processes.

There is a standard for adult urns. We tend to follow the guidelines set by the Cremation Association for North America (CANA). Their standard for an adult urn is 200 cubic inches. In many cases, this can be off by 10-20% in either direction depending on many factors. The industry standard for rough estimates is 1 cubic inch of space for every 1 pound of healthy bodyweight. This industry standard should only be used as an approximate size required.

We cannot be held responsible for anyone that uses this method alone for determining the size of cremation urn needed. Only the crematory can know how much cremains you will have. We recommend that if you plan to keep all of the cremains, that you purchase an urn larger in size than you are told you need to make sure you have enough room.

If you plan to spread some of the cremains in a special place of your beloved family member or pet, than the size of the cremation urn is less critical and you can follow the industry standard of 1 cubic inch of space for every 1 pound of healthy weight. If you then have more cremains than the urn you purchased can hold, you can then spread them in your beloved ones special place.

Companion, or double urns are designed to hold the ashes of two or more people or animals. Keepsake urns can hold a small amoutn of ash, funeral flowers, sacred ground, etc.

Published by CANA – Cremation Associaion of North America – www.cremationassociation.org
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