Keohane Funeral Home

The Biggest Misconceptions About Cremation

Cremation has not only become a lot more common since the turn of the millennium. It is well on its way to becoming the norm. In 2021, nearly 60 percent of families opted for cremation, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

But while there is a clear appeal to cremation—it is faster and less expensive that a traditional burial, for example—there are still large gaps in the public understanding of what cremation means for families, and what services are available to those who choose it.  The fact is, contrary to what many believe, cremation isn’t the end of the process. It’s part of a broader and more meaningful package that brings families and friends together, and helps them cope with their loss and honor the memory of their loved one.

For starters, many people are caught off guard by the speed of the process. They haven’t given thought to what they’re actually going to do with the remains once they get them back from the crematorium. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from when it comes to the final disposition.

For instance, many families who opt for cremation also want something permanent to memorialize the person they have lost. They may want to place the ashes in a location where family members can go to remember them—such as a plot or an above-ground burial niche at a cemetery. Others may want to keep the ashes, or even a small portion of them, in a keepsake, such as an urn or a small piece of jewelry. Others still may be interested in scattering the remains in a place of significance to the individual. Some may want to do all three. Whatever the preference, Keohane’s can work with your family to make it a reality.

There’s also the matter of a ceremony. Ina previous blog post, we talked about the importance of holding some kind of ceremony—anything from a religious service to simply gathering to light a candle—to help people cope with a loss. Ceremonies and rituals have been around for millennia for a reason: they help us process grief in the company of others. They give us closure and catharsis. Unfortunately, many people who opt for cremation assume that they are not able to have a service of some kind, or they say they’re going to have some kind of gathering later on, and never do. Or perhaps they believe that because they are not religious, that a service is simply off the table.

That’s not true. Whether a family is religious or not, Keohane’s can work closely with those who have chosen cremation to create a beautiful, memorable, customized service to suit their needs and help properly honor the memory of the person they have lost.