The family of a deceased loved one is left with many decisions to make. Many people are making the choice to have their loved ones cremated. Cremation offers several advantages over traditional burial, one of which is a lower cost. Many different factors help contribute to the low cost of cremation services. Transportation The transportation of the body and/or urn depends on the location at the time of the loved…

The National Cemetery Administration is overseen by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. This agency is responsible for maintaining more than 130 national gravesites in 39 different states as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. While these gravesites have typically received only intact remains, many of them are now expanding to include cremated ashes. In addition, several national cemeteries around the country have decided to accept only ashes. Three Tennessee…

Families that experience the loss of philanthropically minded loved ones may want to consider using whole-body donation and cremation services. These services offer an opportunity to honor the person’s memory, help others and reduce end-of-life associated costs. For those not familiar with it, whole-body donation is a program that is designed to assist medical professionals and students with their research. There are programs devoted to the donation process located all…

When you lose a loved one, there are many decisions to be made quickly and definitively. Understanding your options for choosing cremation urns may help make the process a little easier. The first consideration is whether the urn will be displayed, buried, or used temporarily to transport the cremains for scattering. If you wish to display the urn, choose something with a design and style that will help memorialize the…

Burying your loved one shouldn’t be difficult on your finances. For anyone experiencing difficulty with the expenses associated with cremation planning, several options exist that may help you defray the costs. The city or county office has cremation assistance for struggling families. Ask to speak to a representative about cremation assistance and how to apply. If you meet their criteria, the county will pay for the service. The national government…

Planning a memorial service for a loved one can be stressful, and sometimes the anxiety is compounded whenever cremation is chosen. If you’re in this situation, you may be wondering how to break the news to other family members who may be opposed to the idea. The following suggestions will help you discuss cremation plans with others so that they will be more accepting and supportive of the decision. If…

Part of cremation planning involves considering where to put the deceased’s remains, which are known as cremains. Because cremains are inert and pose no hazards, you do not have to rush into a decision right away. In fact, you can postpone the final decision so that you can evaluate all the possibilities and choose the option that your loved one would prefer. Scattering You can scatter the cremains on land,…

Today many people are beginning to understanding all the advantages that cremation offers them for end-of-life planning. Each year more people are choosing cremation over a traditional burial. Currently in some states such as Arizona, Hawaii, and Oregon, more than half of all burials are cremations. Cremation is cost effective Depending on the funeral arrangements chosen by the family, opting for cremation can save a family substantial burial costs when…

In our previous post on eco-friendly cremation, we discussed how new cremation techniques can be a better option for those whose loved ones were environmentally conscious. Many people are unclear on the benefits of this alternative method of cremation. The concept behind “green” cremation (which is how many people refer to it) is that many people do not want to further impact the environment after they have passed on. In…

In this day and age where natural resources, carbon footprints, and our impact on the environment have become such important concerns, the topic of eco-friendly cremation has also seen a rise in interest. Currently, there are two general forms of cremation that fall under the heading of eco-friendly, and a cremation alternative that is even greener. The first form of environmentally friendly cremation that might interest someone looking to be…

Though it may not be pleasant to think about, there will come a time when most of us have to start the process of planning a memorial service for a loved one. If you find yourself facing this tragic situation and are not sure what to do next, this list will help guide you through some of the decisions that need to be made. The first step, of course, is…

Those that have served our Great Nation deserve the utmost respect upon their passing. It is with a heavy heart loved ones must commit their beloved deceased to ground. One must take into account the deceased’s final wishes, and if cremation is the option you and your family have chosen, rest assured your loved one will receive the utmost in care and respect. As of late, cremation services have become…

People often wonder about the best methods for scattering ashes after a cremation. If your loved one has expressed a desire to have their remains scattered in lieu of a traditional burial, the following methods of ash scattering may help you plan a meaningful tribute to the departed. Casting ashes: This refers to simply tossing the ashes up into the wind. It’s important to check wind direction and to cast…

The Cremation Association of North America reports that more than 40 percent of all funerals now include cremation. That’s a sharp increase from 1960, when a mere three percent of all funerals involved cremation. Several things have led to more people making cremation plans than in years past, and there’s no sign this trend is slowing down any. The economy has definitely caused more people to consider cremation. Traditional funerals…

For many families, the death of a loved one can create a financial hardship due to the cost of a funeral or end-of-life medical bills. Others may have no life insurance or cash available to provide the deceased with an elaborate memorial service. If you’re in this situation, you should know that there are low-cost or no-cost cremation options available under certain circumstances. Medical researchers across the country are always…