The Comprehensive Guide to Cremation Memorialization

How to Memorialize a Loved One Following Cremation Introduction

As with many choices concerning final arrangements, deciding between burial and cremation is a very personal decision.

And while traditional burials historically outnumbered cremations as a final disposition method in the U.S., that’s no longer the case. In fact, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) reported an increase in cremations over the last four consecutive years.

And this trend is expected to continue. The U.S. cremation rate is projected to increase to 78% by 2040, with burial expected to We created this guide so drop to 15% (it’s 37.5% today). you and your family can With this growing trend, families often ask us the same question: understand the extensive What options are available for honoring and celebrating a lost one who is cremated? memorialization options For those that choose cremation, many aren’t aware of the full available when it comes spectrum of memorialization choices available. They might think that cremation limits your options for remembrance. However, to cremation. nearly any memorial option that’s available for traditional burial, as well as many more, can be considered for cremated remains.

This guide offers information on:

• Why Memorialization Is Important • The 3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options • Choosing a Final Resting Place and Memorial • Selecting the Right Urn for Cremation Memorialization • Finding Help Through the Process

Losing a loved one is never easy, so we hope this guide helps to make the memorialization process as simple and meaningful as possible. 1 Why Memorialization Is Important

Memorialization is the process of honoring and remembering a loved one by preserving their memory. It can take many different forms, and is usually decided by surviving family Memorialization is members (if final wishes aren’t specified beforehand). a wonderful way to cherish When you think about memorialization, you likely think first of memorials at a cemetery. Known by several names—headstones, the fond memories of those monuments, grave markers, and tombstones—cemetery memorials can be used for both traditional burials and cremated remains. departed, while“ also allowing A physical memorial is one of many important aspects of the living to grieve. memorialization. Other memorialization types include the final resting place of the body or cremated remains, the funeral, family traditions done in the deceased’s honor and much more. In fact, social sciences believe Physical memorials create a central location for families and that memorialization is a crucial friends to gather or visit alone to memorialize the deceased. In the short-term, memorialization of all types also help surviving loved part of the grieving process. ones focus on the positive, celebrating the personal impact of the person they’ve lost. And, in the process, memorialization brings people together. According to Talk of a Lifetime. The purpose of this piece is to focus on the physical preservation of loved one through lasting cremation memorialization. This includes cemetery memorials, urns placed at home, scattering ashes in a meaningful location and more.

We will illustrate the expansive options available for cremation memorialization, and demonstrate the exceptional value it can bring your family during the grieving process and in the future.

2 3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options

Families are often aware of the cemetery memorial options that come with traditional burials, but many don’t realize that cremation memorialization includes cemetery burials, and much more.

Some popular memorialization options for cremated remains include:

• Memorializing the cremated remains in a cemetery, or other place of significance to your loved one. • Keeping the cremated remains at home in a decorative urn. • Scattering the cremated remains.

We explain these three cremation memorialization options starting on the next page.

3 1. Buried or Placed in a Permanent Location

Cemeteries offer several memorialization options for families who wish to have a final resting spot for cremated remains.

Permanent resting spots include:

Burial Plots Columbaria

Many cemeteries allow Columbariums are private you to buy small burial or public structures where plots where cremation cremated remains are urns are buried and placed in an urn within accompanied by a a niche for permanent headstone or memorial. remembrance. Columbarium niches are the receptacles within a columbarium.

Recessed Urns Cremation Gardens

For larger monuments or Some cemeteries or other memorial benches, urns locations (like parks) offer can be recessed into the landscaped areas designed granite and is sealed. to house cremated remains. These can be placed in Tribute options include a cemetery or in other benches, boulders, markers, places, such as a park. pedestals and statues.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 4 2. Placed in a Cremation Urn at Home

Those who wish to hold onto cremated remains can buy a container to display them as a special remembrance at their home. This provides a feeling of closeness with the person who passed away, even after he or she is gone.

Options for memorialization include:

Decorative Urns Memorial Jewelry

Many cemeteries allow you to buy small burial plots where Charms, bracelets, necklaces and pendants can all be designed cremation urns are buried and accompanied by a headstone or to hold ashes or something symbolic from the deceased, such memorial. as thread from a scarf or shirt. Some people prefer this option so they can take their loved everywhere they go.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 5 3. Scattered in a Meaningful Location

Scattering is another way to memorialize cremated remains in a place that was symbolic to the deceased. Surviving family members find comfort knowing their loved one’s final resting place is a location that’s familiar to them.

Options for memorialization include:

Air Sea

Aerial scattering is a meaningful way There’s also the option to memorialize to spread one’s remains over a special your loved one by scattering his or place. While many states do not have her cremated remains over a body any laws prohibiting aerial scattering, of water, such as a river, lake, pond federal law prohibits dropping any or ocean. When scattering cremated objects that might harm people or remains in the ocean, you have to property. Remains themselves are be at least three nautical miles from not considered hazardous, but you land. Additionally, a registration of the should always remove them from their disposition must be filed within 30 container before scattering them by air. days to the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from which the vessel departed. Land

Beyond air, some families choose to In addition to scattering remains, some families may choose to scatter their loved one’s cremated set aside a portion of the cremated remains to memorialize in remains across a garden, golf course, an urn or cemetery. hiking trail, park or other place of significance. Other places may include travel destinations that your loved one always wanted to visit, but didn’t. Before scattering, make sure to get permission from the owner or, on public lands, ask for the permission of the governing agency.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 6 Considerations for Choosing a Final Resting Place and Memorial

If you choose to memorialize the cremated remains in a permanent resting place, it will serve as a physical place for families to visit with each other, and to remember and honor their loved one.

While it’s common to associate cemeteries with a traditional burial, most of the same memorial personalization options are also available for cremated remains. If the final resting place is a cemetery or other permanent location with a marked grave, there are infinite design possibilities available to honor and celebrate the life.

7 Memorial Size and Shape

When choosing a headstone, this is one of the most distinct parts of the memorial. Some are visible from a distance, while others are only visible from right above.

Lawn-Level Slant Memorial Memorial Cut at an angle, Considered a “basic cemetery visitors can stone,” lawn-level see slant memorials from memorials sit flush with a distance. the ground and are typically a rectangular or square shape.

Bevel Memorial Upright Monument

Affectionately called a These large memorials “pillow,” bevel memorials are built to be admired rise a few inches above from afar. Most commonly the ground and have a seen as rectangles or with slight sloping shape. rounded edges, upright memorials may also be unique shapes or accompanied by a statue.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 8 Memorial Material

There are two common memorial materials available from most providers and allowed in most cemeteries—granite and bronze.

Granite Bronze

Granite is the most common material choice and is allowed in The other common material option is bronze. If selected, bronze nearly all cemeteries. Though naturally occurring, this rock comes is typically mounted on a granite or cement base in accordance in an infinite number of colors and varieties. Additionally, it does with cemetery rules and regulations. Bronze, like granite, can not naturally deteriorate even 1/1000th of an inch over 1000 last thousands of years with almost no degradation. Though not years. susceptible to rust, regular upkeep is recommended to prevent corrosion from altering its color.

Memorial Personalization Options

In some ways, the most personal part of designing a memorial for yourself or a loved one is deciding on the unique words, symbols and other details that will occupy space around the name and date.

Inscriptions Ceramic or Porcelain Photos

Inscriptions are engraved phrases, dates or words. You can Ceramic or porcelain photos are typically used as an alternative choose unique and special inscriptions, or find inspiration from to hand or laser etching to put an individual or family portrait commonly used quotes. on a memorial. They come in many sizes and are permanently attached directly to the memorial. Symbols, Images or Portraits Vase These could be religious symbols, symbols of life and love, pictures of animals, or symbols of passion or hobbies. You can By adding one or multiple vases to accompany a headstone, also hand-etch or laser-etch a portrait of the individual. fresh and colorful flowers can be placed for special occasions. Sculptures or Carvings

Something truly unique that stands out more than any individual word or symbol is a sculpture or carving. These can be set directly into the stone or joined to the side or top of a placed stone.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 9 How to Select the Right Urn for Cremation Memorialization

Unless scattering is selected, cremated remains are typically kept in an urn—either to be displayed in your home or interred at a cemetery. For each memorialization option, there are different questions to ask about choosing an urn, which you should consult with a memorial provider about:

• Where is the urn being placed, and who is it for? • What material is right for the urn? • What personalization and design options do you prefer? • What’s your budget?

Read on to learn about the most common and important considerations for selecting a cremation urn.

10 Urn Considerations

Urn Placement Urn Personalization Options

Your decision may depend on whether you’ll place the urn in a home In addition to material and size, urns can be personalized with an or cemetery, or if it will be used to transport remains for scattering. engraved message, such as a quote, phrase or verse. A special design, such as an emblem or symbol may also be engraved into Some urn designs will focus on function. When an urn is buried in the the urn. Some families may also choose to have a photo of the ground or placed in an above-ground columbarium or mausoleum, deceased etched into or placed onto the urn. considering cemetery requirements for material and size may take precedence. And while it’s a common misconception that Urn Pricing cremated remains cannot be buried, cremation has nearly all of the same memorial options as traditional burial. Consult with a memorial provider about the options available for your cemetery. As you might expect, urn costs vary depending Urn Material on all the above factors. An urn that is used just for storage or travel can For an urn displayed at cost much less than a home, there are an infinitive personalized one meant number of decorative urns for a home display. and design options available. They can be made of nearly any material, including wood, metal and stone.

For an urn that will be buried or placed in an above-ground The important thing structure, the cemetery may require or recommend a certain material to keep it protected. to know is that there is an urn Urn Size option to fit every budget. Everyone deserves to have a There are also different sizes to consider. For example, if cremated remains will be split up between family members to keep in their memorial that uniquely honors own homes, the different urn sizes can be chosen accordingly. the life of their loved one.

3 Primary Cremation Memorialization Options 11 Consult a Professional to Help You Through the Process

When you choose cremation, we encourage you to consult a memorialization specialist to walk you through the many decisions to make during this difficult time. Contact Us, Today At Milano Monuments, our experienced staff offers compassionate assistance every step of the way to ensure your needs are met. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, call us at 216-362-1199, or schedule an appointment online.

Contact Milano Monuments Phone: (216) 362-1199 Website: www.milanomonuments.com Email: [email protected]