Preparing for Cremation

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A Guide To The Most Important Questions

Cremation is becoming more and more of a popular choice today (it is done in at least 40 percent of all deaths, and experts say that number could increase to 80 percent by the middle of the 21st Century), but, as with any method of disposition, it is accompanied with a multitude of questions. Below are some tips and ideas that will help you prepare for a cremation in your family.

Emotional Preparation:

Cremation has been practiced for thousands of year in cultures across the globe, but it has become popular in western cultures only relatively recently. Therefore, preparing cremation can be an anxious experience to someone for whom it is not a deeply rooted cultural tradition. To prepare for cremation emotionally, a good first step idea is to consult trusted pastor or other church leader. Most western religions fully embrace cremation today and have carefully considered the issues around it when deciding to allow it. So, if a loved one is to be cremated (or if you or some other family member is considering it) almost any religious leader will be well qualified to help you cope with any emotional or spiritual issues.

Official Preparation:

Because, of course, cremation is irreversible, a multitude of legal paperwork can be required before a cremation can begin. States and municipalities differ widely on this legality, and even some crematories have additional policies designed as legal safeguards for both themselves and the families. The resulting bureaucracy may be overwhelming, at first glance, as you prepare for a cremation in your family. But plenty of help is available. Your funeral director or other professional will work with you to make sure all paperwork is completed properly before a cremation, and this service is almost always done at no additional charge. In general, you should expect to provide the crematory with the deceased’s death certificate, and the professionals in charge of the cremation will assure that all other paperwork is completed before a cremation takes place.

Physical Preparation:

Again, this is typically handled by professionals at your crematory, but they will need to know a few pieces of crucial information for best results. Perhaps most importantly, for safety reasons, they will need to know if the deceased had a pacemaker or any other battery-operated medical device. The professionals must remove these devices before the cremation because they could explode during the cremation. Professionals typically follow safety measures to assure that all such devices are removed before a cremation begins, but, for safety’s sake, if you know of a device in the deceased, you should tell you’re professional. Removing pacemakers are the most crucial part of preparing for cremation, but that is not the only consideration. Again, these other considerations vary widely, and your professional will make sure that all of the appropriate arrangements are made before the cremation begins.