The popularity of cremation has soared over the last couple of years, with many people attributing its popularity to affordability. Apart from being a cost-effective type of funeral, cremation is also less time-consuming, and it is environmentally friendly. Therefore, if a loved one wishes that their body be cremated upon death, preparations must start in earnest. Although planning for a cremation funeral is not as hard as planning for a traditional service, it is easy to forget a few things. Read on for critical aspects to remember when preparing for cremation.
Authorisation -- If you have never participated in cremation service, you will be forgiven for thinking that authorisation rests with a funeral director. However, the authority to cremate a body does not lie with a funeral director, despite them being in charge of all cremation processes. According to the law, only specific individuals can authorise cremation arrangements, including the deceased's legal representative, spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, guardian, or personal estate representative (in that order of priority). Most importantly, cremation authorisation must be made in writing and provided to a crematorium funeral director. A cremation cannot proceed in the absence of any of the authorised parties.
Tour a Crematorium -- The dead deserve respect, and the best way to ensure that is to visit a crematorium and inspect the facility. You should never judge the condition of a crematorium by its front lobby alone. Thus, inspecting an entire facility is crucial to getting value for money and paying your last respects to a loved one. Ensure that cremation areas are clean and that control measures are in place to ensure that remains do not mix. A visit should also be used to gauge a facility's size to establish the number of people who can attend a funeral.
Customise Urns in Advance -- You want to treat your deceased loved one with respect by storing their remains in an appropriate manner. Some people prefer to use standard urns, and while that is okay, there is no doubt that a unique urn is the best option. People are different and unique in their ways, and portraying those differences with a customised urn is something that family members must consider. Customised urns can come with special inscriptions and can be in various shapes or materials. Whichever customisation method you choose, start early to make sure that you can get exactly what you want.
Contact a cremation funeral director in your area to learn more.