Historically, burial far outnumbered cremation as the preferred final disposition method in the U.S. However, the cremation rate has steadily increased in recent years, and is expected to rise to 78% in the next two decades. With this growing trend, it’s important to know about the cremation process, especially when it comes to memorialization.
We often hear from families a misconception that cremation means you can’t memorialize a loved one. But that simply isn’t the case—cremation offers nearly the same memorialization options as burial, and in some cases, even more.
Following a cremation, many families chose to keep their loved one’s remains in an urn. Continue reading below as we discuss what you can do with a loved one’s urn to continue to memorialize and celebrate them following a loss.
While you may think the term “burial” is limited to the traditional act of burying a loved one, you can also bury an urn. Cemeteries, memorial gardens or parks offer a number of options for those who prefer to bury and memorialize an urn in a physical location, versus scattering cremated remains.
Urn burial options include:
Choosing an urn as your loved one’s final resting place means you can keep them close to you—even at home. If displaying in the home (think: a mantel, table or other focal point), many families opt for a more personalized, decorative urn.
Decorative urns are available in various sizes, shapes, styles and personalization options.
Additionally, for those who want to hold their loved ones close at all times, memorial jewelry lets you carry them with you wherever you go. Charms, bracelets, necklaces and pendants are designed to hold cremated remains or something that was symbolic to the deceased (a lock of hair or thread from a favorite shirt).
Your loved one’s final resting place will be key to the kind of urn you select. Your memorial provider can explain the specifics required for different situations and locations. Some of the questions they may ask include:
We created The Comprehensive Guide to Cremation Memorialization, so you and your family understand the extensive memorialization options available when it comes to cremation.