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Answer:
Cremated remains entering the United States have no permit or importation requirements. These "ashes," which are processed bone fragments left over from the cremation process, are sterile because any tissue, blood, or other decomposable material that can transmit disease has been burned away during cremation. Other human remains that require no permit for importation include clean and dry bones, hair, teeth, and finger or toe nails. A deceased person's body that is entering the United States for later burial or cremation must be accompanied by a death certificate and be cleared for entry.
Answer:
After cremation, remains are carefully removed from the cremation chamber and transferred onto a cooling tray. The remains are processed to remove any metal fragments that may be present, if for example the deceased had a surgical implant. When only bone is left, the fragments are processed into sand-like particles using a machine called a cremulator. These "ashes" are returned to the family in an urn or other container.
Answer:
Urns are typically used to hold the cremated remains or "ashes" of a person that has passed away, but urns, especially keepsake urns or jewelry urns, can hold other items as well. Other items that can be placed inside keepsake urns or jewelry urns include soil or sand from a burial site, dried flower petals, sentimental notes and other paper, fabric from a meaningful blanket or piece of clothing, locks of hair or fur, or anything else you can think of.
Answer:
Urns are typically used to hold the cremated remains or "ashes" of a person that has passed away, but urns, especially keepsake urns or jewelry urns, can hold other items as well. Other items that can be placed inside keepsake urns or jewelry urns include soil or sand from a burial site, dried flower petals, sentimental notes and other paper, fabric from a meaningful blanket or piece of clothing, locks of hair or fur, or anything else you can think of.
Answer:
The simplest form of cremation is direct cremation, where a person is promptly cremated without any type of memorial like a casket viewing, funeral service, or cremation witnessing. Because there are no additional costs associated with memorial services, direct cremation is the most affordable form of cremation.
Answer:
A temporary cremation urn can be any urn or container that is used to store ashes temporarily until they receive final disposition, whether that is placement in a different urn, scattering, burial, or something else. Because the container is temporary, any simple yet sturdy container can be appropriate, and a temporary urn can be made from lightweight materials like cardboard, plastic, or paper.
Answer:
You can reuse a cremation urn that is fully intact, but some people may find it inappropriate or disrespectful to reuse an urn that has previously held someone's ashes. If you do choose to reuse a cremation urn, make sure that it is clean and empty of past cremated remains. If cost is an issue for your family, we offer free cremation urns at In the Light Urns that have visual imperfections but are structurally sound.
How long do cremated ashes last in an urn?
Educational Resources > A Quick Guide to Cremation, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
Cremated ashes are actually bone fragments that have survived the cremation process. During cremation, heat burns away any decomposable material, so the remaining bone fragments are sterile and can last indefinitely in an urn if stored properly. A sealed, dry urn can preserve your loved one's ashes for eternity. Ashes will also remain intact outside of a container if they remain moisture-free, so it isn't necessary to have an urn immediately once you receive your loved one's remains from the crematorium.
How long do cremated ashes last in an urn?
Educational Resources > A Quick Guide to Cremation, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
Cremated ashes are actually bone fragments that have survived the cremation process. During cremation, heat burns away any decomposable material, so the remaining bone fragments are sterile and can last indefinitely in an urn if stored properly. A sealed, dry urn can preserve your loved one's ashes for eternity. Ashes will also remain intact outside of a container if they remain moisture-free, so it isn't necessary to have an urn immediately once you receive your loved one's remains from the crematorium.
Answer:
A cremation urn can be displayed at home in any manner you feel appropriate. To prevent any damage to the urn, you should ideally find a visible location where the urn will not be disturbed, such as a mantle, shelf, or dedicated memorial space. However, some families without pets or children prefer to keep the urn on a well-used surface, like a coffee table or dining table, to keep their loved one close to them. In either case, personal touches like photos, candles, or flowers can add to an urn display and create a thoughtful tribute.
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Filling a Cremation Urn with Ease
Answer:
Anyone can fill a cremation urn with ashes or other sentimental items, and there are no special qualifications or training needed. However, if you are uncomfortable with handling your loved one's cremated remains, you can ask your funeral home or cremation provider to fill the urn for you.
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Filling a Cremation Urn with Ease
Answer:
Anyone can fill a cremation urn with ashes or other sentimental items, and there are no special qualifications or training needed. However, if you are uncomfortable with handling your loved one's cremated remains, you can ask your funeral home or cremation provider to fill the urn for you.
What should I engrave on a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Engraving & Printing
Answer:
A custom cremation urn is frequently engraved with the deceased's name, birth date, and death date. You can further personalize your engraving with an epitaph, which is a short expression of love or respect that goes on memorial items. Examples of epitaphs include "In Loving Memory" and "Beloved Wife and Mother"/Husband and Father". If there is room, a short quote or statement such as "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" can also be included.
What should I engrave on a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Engraving & Printing
Answer:
A custom cremation urn is frequently engraved with the deceased's name, birth date, and death date. You can further personalize your engraving with an epitaph, which is a short expression of love or respect that goes on memorial items. Examples of epitaphs include "In Loving Memory" and "Beloved Wife and Mother"/Husband and Father". If there is room, a short quote or statement such as "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" can also be included.
Should cremated ashes be divided?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
A loved one's cremated remains may either be divided among family or kept together within one urn. Some families find comfort in sharing ashes amongst themselves so that family members can keep their lost one close, while other families feel it's more respectful to keep the ashes intact so that their loved one can remain whole. Deciding whether to divide cremated ashes is a personal choice that varies by family, and both options are respectable ways to honor a loved one's memory. Ultimately, the decision should honor the wishes of the deceased and provide peace to those left behind.
Should cremated ashes be divided?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
A loved one's cremated remains may either be divided among family or kept together within one urn. Some families find comfort in sharing ashes amongst themselves so that family members can keep their lost one close, while other families feel it's more respectful to keep the ashes intact so that their loved one can remain whole. Deciding whether to divide cremated ashes is a personal choice that varies by family, and both options are respectable ways to honor a loved one's memory. Ultimately, the decision should honor the wishes of the deceased and provide peace to those left behind.
Answer:
You can bury your loved one's ashes in a cemetery. To bury cremated remains within a cemetery, you will need to purchase one of the cemetery's burial plots. Burial plots for urns will typically cost less than burial plots for caskets because they take up a smaller area of land. Some cemeteries will have designated areas for urn burial, such as urn gardens, that are separated from the area for casket burial. If you are burying your loved one's urn within a cemetery, you may also wish to purchase a headstone to mark your loved one's resting place.
How to choose a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > Choosing a Cremation Jewelry Urn
Answer:
- To choose a cremation urn, you should consider how much volume you will need, along with how the urn will be used. If the urn will be used to hold an adult's complete amount of ashes, you will likely want a standard-sized urn, which is designed to accommodate most adults.
- Our urn size calculator can help you estimate the volume of your loved one's cremated remains and determine what size urn may be appropriate.
- Once you have an urn size in mind, you can select an urn material based on the urn's intended use, such as whether it will be displayed, buried, or used for scattering.
- For every urn size and urn material, there are beautiful urn options to choose from, and you can pick a design that speaks to you or that fittingly memorializes your loved one.
