Many people choose cremation or green burial as a way to make less of a negative impact on the environment when they die. These kinds of options, which cost less than traditional funeral methods, almost always rely on minimum preservation (as in, no embalming) and use materials for caskets and urns that don’t strain our world’s natural resources.
Posts Tagged ‘cremation’
Green Funeral Planning: Carbon Neutral Cremation
Monday, February 11th, 2013Choosing the Right Crematorium
Thursday, February 7th, 2013
If you or a loved one has decided to be cremated rather than buried, it’s important to remember that just as much effort should go into choosing a reputable crematorium as it does for choosing a good funeral home.
Although the majority of crematoriums you’ll encounter are reputable (especially those that are located on cemetery grounds), there should be some transparency in the process. You should feel free to tour the area, ask questions, and be confident in the fact that your loved one is being handled with respect.
Traditional Burial Alternative: Turn Your Ashes into a Vinyl Record?
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
For some people, traditional funeral planning just isn’t enough. The rituals surrounding burial and cremation have been around for so many hundreds of years that it’s almost impossible to make your funeral stand out from the crowd as something unique and special. That’s why some companies take the process of body disposal to a new level—even so far as turning you into a vinyl record.
New York Pet Cemetery is the Oldest in the World
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Pet cemeteries are an important part of the grieving process for many individuals who have lost a beloved pet. While most pet funeral plans include a backyard service or a call to the local animal shelter to handle the remains, it’s becoming increasingly more common for individuals to opt for a formal service (ranging from pet cremation to traditional burial).
This practice is nothing new in the United States—in fact, the oldest pet cemetery in the world can be found in Hartsdale, New York. The Hartsdale Pet Cemetery facility, established in 1896, is currently the final resting place for tens of thousands of animals, and continues to provide a burial place for pets even today.
What are Cremation Societies?
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
If you’ve chosen cremation as your preferred funeral planning method, or if you’re simply gathering information on the burial options available to you, you’ll probably encounter the term “cremation society.” This term is loosely defined as an organization that provides specialty cremation services as part of a funeral pre-plan package.
There are currently several cremation societies in operation in the United States—both national organizations and smaller, local organizations licensed to operate in individual states . For a fairly small membership fee (usually around $100 per person), you are granted access to cremation services through that organization and/or their partners. Benefits to membership may include:
How to Have a Sea Burial
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
Although it might seem like an archaic practice to those accustomed to modern funeral planning, sea burials have long been an acceptable way to dispose of human remains. For some cultures, the act of returning the body to the sea is part of a long-standing relationship with the water and its life-giving properties. For others, it is a military honor bestowed on those who gave their life to service at sea.
How to Plan a Post Funeral Gathering
Friday, September 28th, 2012
Whether your funeral planning efforts resulted in a traditional ceremony and burial, or if you opted for a private cremation scattering, it’s a common practice to invite everyone in attendance to a post-funeral gathering. Also commonly known as the funeral reception, this event provides an opportunity for friends and family members to mourn the deceased (and to celebrate the life he or she had) in a setting that is less formal than a memorial service.
The responsibility for planning the funeral reception typically falls to the immediate family—more specifically, to the same individual who handles the bulk of the funeral plans. If this is too much of a responsibility, however, it might be a good idea to ask for help. Many people come forward to offer their assistance in the aftermath of a loss, and this is a good way to allow them to do their part.
Funeral Planning: The Realities of Cremation
Friday, September 7th, 2012
If you’re considering cremation as a funeral planning option for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to have all the facts first. Although cremation is growing in popularity as a low-cost and environmentally-friendly way to say goodbye to those we love, it isn’t mainstream enough yet that the details of the process are common knowledge—especially as they relate to medical and spiritual issues.
Cremation and Burial Alternatives
Saturday, August 4th, 2012
In the past, funeral planning was simple and straightforward. You bought a burial plot, a casket, and said your goodbyes. Choice was limited, and you often ended up with the same casket or headstone the rest of the family had. In more recent decades, the popularity of cremation meant that families hoping to cut back on expenses or simplify the process had additional options.
Pet Cremation Facts
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012
When a beloved pet dies, you have several options as far as taking care of the body. For low-cost methods, you can ask your local animal control office to collect the body and dispose of it according to their standard procedure. (This usually means mass cremation and minimal ceremony.) If you have the right permits, you might also be able to bury your pet on your own land.
