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Cremation Options
Choosing cremation does not limit the type of funeral service one might select for themselves or a loved one. In fact, cremation affords greater options.
A Traditional Funeral with Cremation
As cremation is just one method of preparing the deceased for committal and final disposition, a cremation service need not differ from that of a traditional funeral service. Cremation does not prevent family, relatives and friends from participating in the ceremonies and services common to a traditional service. This includes the preparation and placement of the deceased in a casket for viewing.
Some families who opt to cremate their deceased loved ones have expressed a reluctance to destroy a beautiful casket. For those who would prefer not to select a traditional casket with its intricate design and ornamentation, when choosing cremation, there are other product options from which to choose.
Cremation Caskets
Cremation caskets are simpler in design and are constructed specifically for cremation. In fact, some manufactures actually refer to them as "environmentally friendly" as they are made primarily of wood with little or no metal components. As a result they are typically less expensive than traditional caskets yet crafted with the same quality.
Rental Caskets
Instead of purchasing a casket some funeral homes offer rental caskets. They look similar to a traditional casket with one small difference. The interior lining is attached with Velcro™ in order that it can be removed and destroyed after each use.
After visitation or a church or chapel service, the deceased is removed from the rental casket and placed in a cremation container. This is a rigid wooden, or cardboard container with cover designed specifically for direct cremation. In addition to the interior lining, the pillow and mattress board is also removed from the rental casket and placed in the cremation unit with the deceased. Certain rental caskets come with a removable wooden or cardboard container inside the rental unit. This container is slid out of the foot end of the rental casket without disturbing the remains.
Alternate Containers
Typically alternative containers are constructed of plywood, pressboard or cardboard but are not designed to accommodate viewing. As earlier noted they are often referred to as cremation containers used specifically for direct or immediate cremation.
Immediate Cremation
Immediate or direct cremation is cremation without any preparation, viewing, events or ceremonies. It is simply the removal of the deceased from the place of death, placement of the remains in a cremation container followed by the commencement of the cremation process. Cremation will take place whenever it is convenient for the crematory once all authorizations have been procured.
Cremation is not final disposition. After the process there is still an opportunity for the family to participate in a meaningful and personalized funeral service.
Visitation with Urn
This service includes a scheduled time for friends and relatives to visit the family at the funeral home to show their support and pay their respects to the deceased. Instead of seeing the remains in a casket, however, an urn containing the deceased's cremated remains is present. Placed on a small table or pedestal the urn may be accompanied with a floral tribute and picture.
Other family photos or mementoes can also be mounted on a "memory board" and/or displayed throughout the room. These displays may reflect the deceased's life, occupation or interests.
Some families choose to have visitation without the urn present while others prefer private visitation for family members and close friends.
Memorial Service
A memorial service is generally understood to be a service held in a funeral home chapel or church without the remains present. It may be religious or if the deceased did not profess a specific religious belief, secular. If friends or relatives are located in a different part of the country and are unable to travel to one location, more than one memorial service may be held. Also, it is not uncommon to have a memorial service with the urn present. Again, the urn with flowers is displayed on a table in front of the chancel steps. It is then removed at the end of the service by the funeral director either, formally in the presence of the congregation or informally after the church has emptied.
When a memorial service is held without a period of visitation some funeral homes provide a guest book at the back of the church or chapel to record the signatures of those in attendance. The book is then given to the family.
There are also many options available for the interment or final disposition of the cremated remains. These include:
Interring the Urn in a Family Plot
Even when there is no longer room for a casket interment, an existing family plot can accommodate the interment of several urns. The number, which can be accommodated will usually depend on the size of existing monuments or markers. A standard urn plot measures 2'x2'x2'. Therefore, a single grave should be able to accommodate a minimum of three urns.
Urn Plots
For those who prefer traditional in-ground interment of cremated remains, but do not have or wish to use a family plot, many cemeteries have urn plots or areas set aside for this purpose. Sometimes these areas have been designed around a sculpture or garden feature. Each urn plot can accommodate the interment of at least two urns.
Scattering of Cremated Remains
The scattering of cremated remains is permitted in Newfoundland & Labrador and although there is no specific legislation in the province governing this practice it is assumed that permission of the landowner should first be sought if scattering is desired on private property. Permission is not required to scatter cremated remains on crown land.
In most parts of Canada cremated remains may be scattered in cemetery gardens or memorial scattering areas especially created and dedicated for this purpose. The use of dedicated property assures the site chosen will not be developed for other purposes at some future time.
Memorial scattering areas range from natural settings to formal gardens. Often, the individuals whose cremated remains have been scattered in such an area are identified on a special memorial plaque, or a unique garden feature such as a sculpture on which the individual's name is inscribed.
For more information about scattering go to the Help and Support section and click on "Scattering Options".
Columbarium Niches
A popular choice for the placement of an urn is in an indoor or outdoor columbarium niche. A niche is a recessed compartment designed for the permanent placement of urns. An arrangement of niches is called a columbarium.
Cemeteries usually offer a wide variety of columbaria from which to choose. Some are free-standing structures located outdoors in picturesque settings. Others are located indoors in either a chapel or mausoleum.
Depending on the location of the niche, it may have an open front protected by glass where the urn remains visible, or a closed front faced with wood, bronze, granite or marble where an inscription is placed on the niche front. A vase may be placed on some closed front niches for the placement of flowers by those who care to commemorate special occasions.
There is a columbarium located in the Anglican Cemetery in St. John's.
For more information about exterior columbaria in Newfoundland and Labrador go to the Help and Support section and Click on "Newfoundland's First Exterior Columbarium".
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