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Answer:
Religious views of cremation depend on the specific religion, spirituality, or culture. Some religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, prefer cremation and see it as a way to release the soul from the physical body and facilitate its journey to the next life or state of being. On the other hand, certain branches of Christianity and Judaism traditionally prefer burial, viewing it as a more respectful way to honor the body, though perspectives within these religions are evolving.
Is it considered a sin to scatter ashes?
Educational Resources > Religious Views on Cremation, Educational Resources > Scattering Ashes
Answer:
For members of Christianity, scattering ashes is considered a sin. The Church believes that while cremation is acceptable, a person's cremated remains must be kept together so that they may be successfully resurrected in the future. Non-Christian religions and agnostic & atheist households are not subject to this belief.
Answer:
Depending on where you bury your loved one's ashes, an urn may or may not be a requirement. If you or your loved ones own the property where you’ll be burying the cremated remains, the decision to use an urn is entirely up to your preference. However, cemeteries often have specific rules on how to bury ashes, and public and private properties may also have regulations for burying ashes. Always ensure you comply with a location's set guidelines and local laws to avoid any issues.
Is it considered a sin to scatter ashes?
Educational Resources > Religious Views on Cremation, Educational Resources > Scattering Ashes
Answer:
For members of Christianity, scattering ashes is considered a sin. The Church believes that while cremation is acceptable, a person's cremated remains must be kept together so that they may be successfully resurrected in the future. Non-Christian religions and agnostic & atheist households are not subject to this belief.
Answer:
Depending on your location, you may have legal regulations associated with scattering ashes. These are in place for the interest of public and environmental safety, along with respect for private property owners who may not want cremated remains on their property. Some families may choose to ignore these regulations and scatter ashes in places that bar cremated remains (such as Disneyland), but we heavily discourage this as it can be illegal and result in the undignified disposal of your loved one's remains as a biohazard.
Answer:
When scattering ashes, be mindful of wind direction, and release the ashes at or near waist level. This helps avoid cremated remains blowing back into you or your guests' face(s). Take your time and release ashes slowly, both to prolong the moment and to avoid a large deposit of remains at once.
Answer:
Scattering urns are designed to allow easy dispersion of ashes in the air or water, and have different shapes depending on the type of scattering. They can be made from biodegradable materials like paper and fiber or durable materials like wood and metal. If a scattering takes place on land, an appropriate scattering urn may be a scattering tube that features an easy-open hole or removable lid to aid the pouring of ashes. Water scattering, where cremated remains are released into the water, can use either scattering tubes or biodegradable urns that are directly placed in the water to sink.
Answer:
When scattering ashes, you might say a few words that honor the memory and life of the deceased, sharing a personal story or a meaningful quote. It's also common to take a moment of silence for reflection, and if appropriate, invite others to share their thoughts or feelings before gently releasing the ashes into the chosen location.
Answer:
In the United States, you must obtain permission to scatter ashes on private property. Therefore, in places such as Disneyland or Disney World that do not grant permission for visitors to scatter ashes on their property, scattering ashes is illegal.
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:
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.
Answer:
Unlike a traditional burial, when cremated remains are buried, they do not decompose further in the ground, because they have already been reduced to bone through cremation. Some families may choose an eco-friendly or "green" burial by burying their loved one's ashes within a biodegradable urn that breaks down in the soil over months or years, eventually allowing the ashes to mix with the earth. More commonly, ashes will be buried within a permanently lasting cremation urn encased by a durable urn vault. This urn vault can be buried underground at a cemetery plot, designated memorial garden, or other chosen location. Burying cremated remains allows family and friends to give their loved one a final resting place in a memorial location that they can revisit.
How do you know you get the right ashes after cremation?
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Understanding the Cremation Process
Answer:
When you receive the remains of your loved one, the bag of ashes will include a small metal disk with a number on it. This metal disk has been used to identify your loved one prior to cremation, with the number being a unique identification number, and has not left your loved one's side through the cremation process.
Answer:
There is no best way to bury cremated remains, and it depends on you and your deceased loved one's preferences. You may opt to use a biodegradable urn if you prefer an eco-friendly option, or choose a traditional urn and an optional urn vault for a permanent placement. You may also consider burying the ashes directly into the soil. Any of these options are respectable ways to honor your loved one's remains, and you can choose whichever method you prefer. If you have a location in mind, they may already have made this choice for you depending on their conditions for burial.
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:
A cremation container is a combustible box or casket used to hold a person's intact body before cremation. When cremation occurs, the cremation container holding the body gets burned in a cremation chamber. After cremation, when a person's body has been reduced to bones and ground into small particles resembling sand, an urn is used to store the cremated remains or "ashes." An urn for ashes can be a temporary holding container while the ashes are transported for scattering, or it can be a permanent urn intended for burial or decorative display.
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:
Protocol for burying ashes will depend on the location you have chosen for burial. The majority of cemeteries will ask that you bury your loved one's remains within an urn, and many will additionally require that urn to be inside an urn vault. Biodegradable urns may be accepted at cemeteries, but ask your specific location to confirm. If you are burying your loved one's ashes on another public or private property, obtain permission and ask what conditions you must follow. Make sure you are also complying with any local or state laws regarding burial of human remains.
