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Educational Resources Q&A
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Answer:
Cremation does not require blood or any other fluids in the body to be drained. However, if a viewing or open casket funeral is planned for your loved one prior to cremation, they will need to be embalmed first, which involves draining blood from the body and replacing it with formaldehyde. This process helps preserve the body by slowing the rate of decomposition. Embalmed bodies can still be cremated, but an embalming is not necessary for cremation. If your loved one will not be viewed post-mortem, you do not need to have them embalmed.
Answer:
Wood cremation urns all use durable hardwoods, so the "best" wood for urns is simply a matter of personal taste and style. Different kinds of wood offer unique grain patterns and colors, and cherry, walnut, and oak are all popular picks.
Answer:
The Bible does not explicitly forbid cremation. In the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 31:12 mentions that Saul and his sons were cremated and buried, although this cremation occurs as a response to their bodies being dismembered post-mortem by the warring Philistines. On the other hand, Amos 2:1 describes God punishing the people of Moab for sins which include burning the bones of Edom's king. Burial is depicted much more frequently in the Bible, which implies that burial is the preferred method of final disposition according to the Bible. It is important to note that views on cremation are changing within Christianity, and many denominations today permit it.
Answer:
Cremation is not universally forbidden in Christianity, and it is becoming increasingly accepted among many denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church. A respectful Christian cremation must bury the deceased's cremated remains intact, and prohibits dividing the ashes or scattering them. Some traditional branches, like Eastern Orthodoxy and certain conservative Protestant groups, discourage cremation because they believe that the body must be intact in order for resurrection to occur.
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.
Answer:
Metal urns are one of the most durable types of cremation urns, and can last several decades to centuries. These urns are usually vase-shaped and made from metals such as brass or pewter. It takes extreme force to damage the structure of a metal urn, and if one is buried underground without an urn vault, over time the urn risks collapsing under the weight of soil. Like other metal objects, metal urns can also be dented or scratched with improper handling, but these visual flaws will not affect the strength or function of the urn. In the Light Urns offers free urns for ashes that have suffered minor aesthetic damage in our warehouse and cannot be sold in perfect condition.
Answer:
The amount of ashes you will need to fill a cremation jewelry urn depends on the specific jewelry piece you have, but you can expect to need no more than 2 cubic inches of cremated remains at most. Many cremation jewelry pendants hold a minuscule amount of ashes, approximately the size of one or two grains of rice. This minimal amount ensures the jewelry remains lightweight and comfortable to wear while still honoring your loved one.
Answer:
To transport cremated remains to a new location for burial or scattering, you may choose to drive by car, fly by plane, or ship the ashes ahead of you. Traveling by car is the easiest way to transport ashes because there are no regulations or guidelines that you have to follow. If you are shipping ashes or bringing them on a flight, you will have to make sure your loved one's cremated remains are in a suitable cremation urn or other container for your chosen method, and pack the urn accordingly. The best mode of transportation depends on your specific needs, but any of these methods can get your loved one to their final destination safely.
Answer:
When you are arranging a cremation and funeral service through a funeral home, the funeral home will typically offer cremation urns for sale. However, urns sold by a funeral home are often priced extremely high in order to create profit. You should know that you are not obligated to purchase an urn from a funeral home, and you can use your own urn to hold your loved one's ashes. By United States law, a funeral home or crematorium must accept outside urns when transferring cremated remains into a container. Purchasing urns from a third party like In the Light Urns is often preferable to purchasing directly from a funeral home or crematorium, because it allows you more flexibility in pricing and urn customization.
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.
What do ashes or cremated remains look like?
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Understanding the Cremation Process
Answer:
Cremated remains are often referred to as ashes, but they are actually remnants of bone that have not burned during cremation. After cremation, the remaining skeleton is crushed into small particles that can vary in size, but usually resemble coarse sand or crushed seashells. These remains may vary in color from white to dark gray, and the exact shade can vary depending on factors such as the temperature of the cremation chamber, the duration of the process, and the composition of the individual's bones. Typically, higher temperatures and longer durations result in whiter or light gray remains, while lower temperatures and shorter durations can produce darker gray or even bluish hues.
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.
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:
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.
Answer:
A cremation urn is a type of container used to hold the cremated remains of a person. Urns for ashes can hold some or all of a person's remains, and can be made from several different materials including metal, wood, stone, and paper. Traditional urns are shaped like vases or jars, but urns can also be shaped like boxes or take contemporary designs, like the 3D-printed urns available at In the Light Urns. Urns can be customized with different designs, themes, or engravings to honor a person's memory and memorialize them.
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.
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.
