Understanding Cremation

Okay, so you have said, “I don’t want a funeral, just cremate me.” That statement only addresses what is to be done with your physical body. After all, cremation is just a different way of preparing the body, the individual spirit still remains. To your family and friends, you are more than a body. Consider your loved ones’ need to unite and celebrate “who” you are. Part of our human nature is a desire to be remembered. Surveys show that most people prefer to know there is a special place of remembrance of a deceased loved one, a place where their name is recorded. The best grief recovery is begun by a meaningful gathering of family and friends. Whether it is a formal, traditional church funeral service or it is a designated, but casual, time of sharing at a favorite specific location, it is important to have a final moment.

Please consider these important cremation facts:

There is a 48 hour waiting period before cremation can be initiated.
There is a chain of authority of signatures for the authorization of cremation.
Any person has the right to designate cremation as the means of disposition of his/her own body without interference from anyone.
It is illegal to scatter cremated remains in most public places (parks, rivers, lakes, etc.) without prior approval from the proper authority.

The choice of cremation requires most of the same steps and decisions as ground burial.

Ground burial and cremation require decisions on merchandise, services, memorialization and final placement of either casket or urn.

Russell Haven of Rest is available to assist you with all cremation arrangements, including the use of a designated Garden of Remembrance section on the property.

You may use the following definitions to gain a better understanding of cremation:

Alternative Container – an unfinished box that is designed for the containment of a human body and that is made of fiberboard, pressed wood or composition materials
Casket – a rigid container that is designed for the containment of a human body and that is usually constructed of wood (for cremation purposes), ornamented and lined with fabric which can be used for a visitation and /or funeral service
Columbarium – a structure or building that is above ground and that is intended to be used for the placement of an urn containing a cremated body
Cremated Remains – the remains of the human body recovered after the completion of the cremation process, including processed fragments reduced to unidentifiable dimensions and may include residue of any foreign matter such as casket material, bridgework or eyeglasses that were cremated with the human body
Cremation – any mechanical or thermal process to reduce a dead human body to ashes and bone fragments
Funeral service - the observance, service or ceremony held to commemorate the life of a specific deceased human being and at which the human remains are present
Memorial service – a remembrance ceremony without the body of the deceased present
Monument – any product used for identifying a grave site
Niche – a compartment or cubicle for the memorialization or permanent placement of a container or urn containing cremated remains
Practice of direct disposition - the cremation of human remains without preparation of the human remains by embalming and without any attendant services
Processing – the reduction of identifiable bone fragments after the completion of the cremation process to unidentifiable bone fragments by manual means
Pulverization – the reduction of identifiable bone fragments after the completion of the cremation and processing to granulated particles by manual or mechanical means
Retort – an enclosed chamber for burning of a dead human body at high temperatures
Scattering garden – a location set aside, within a cemetery, which is used for the spreading of cremated remains and involves commingling with other cremated remains and the cremated remains are nonrecoverable
Temporary container – a receptacle for cremated remains usually made of cardboard or plastic designated to hold cremated remains until an urn or other permanent container is acquired
Urn – a receptacle designed to permanently encase cremated remains
Urn burial vault - a rigid outer container that is composed of concrete, steel, fiberglass or some other material in which an urn is placed prior to burial in the earth