Paschal Funeral Home Cremation Services
More families across Texas and the country are choosing cremation, and at Paschal Funeral Home, we want Kerens-area families to feel just as supported in that decision as they would with a traditional burial.
Cremation raises a lot of questions for families who have not considered it before: how it works, what happens to cremated remains afterward, and how a service is structured differently than a traditional burial. We are glad to walk through all of this with you, whether you are making a decision for a loved one who has recently passed or thinking ahead for yourself.
Cremation does not have to mean skipping a service. Many families choose to hold a visitation or memorial gathering either before or after cremation takes place, giving everyone a chance to say goodbye in a way that feels meaningful. Others prefer a simpler, more private process. We offer a range of options designed to fit different needs, both emotional and financial.
Families choose cremation for many reasons: flexibility in scheduling a memorial service, personal or religious beliefs, environmental considerations, or simply personal preference. There is no single right reason, and we never assume which option is best for your family. That is a decision only you can make.
For those who want to understand exactly what happens during cremation, we are happy to explain the process in plain terms, including the alternative of alkaline hydrolysis for families who are interested in that option.
If you have questions about cremation, whether about cost, process, or what is legally required, we have answered many of the most common ones and remain available by phone for anything else.
If you would like to talk through cremation options for a loved one or for your own future planning, call Paschal Funeral Home at 903-396-2371.
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Cremation Explained
The Cremation Association of North America describes cremation as, “The mechanical and/or thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments”.
As we said earlier, people choose cremation over burial of casketed remains for any combination of reasons. Sometimes it’s the simple fear of burial itself, which may stem directly from the Victorian phobia of being buried alive.
What is Required to Arrange for Cremation?
Once the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, all that’s required is authorization. This is provided by the person who is the legally identified or appointed next-of-kin. Once all authorization documents are signed, and service charges are paid; the body can be transported from the place of death to the crematory and the cremation process can take place. However, there are some additional things you may wish to consider, such as:
- Is there a special set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? This will be a focus of the cremation arrangement conversation, and you will be advised by your funeral director as to your best options regarding jewelry or other valuable personal items.
- Are there any keepsake items you’d like to include in their cremation casket? Perhaps there’s a special memento, such as a treasured photograph or letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards, notes or letters to their deceased loved one, and place them in the casket prior to the cremation.
- Would you or other family members like to be present for–or participate to some degree in–your loved one’s cremation? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in an act of “letting go”, we welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into the crematory. Please discuss your desire to participate with your funeral director.
- What will you keep the cremated remains or ashes in after the cremation or the service? Many families are simply unaware that they can purchase a cremation urn to be placed in a special place such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns that will help memorialize your loved one. Ask one of our caring funeral director’s to see the wide variety of urns.
Sources:
What is Cremation, Cremation Association of North America
Why Choose Cremation
Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation over traditional casketed burial.
Cremation Costs are Only One Reason
Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons “is the softening of the Catholic church’s views of the practice. For centuries – until 1963, in fact – the church outlawed it. The church’s laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past.”
He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. “As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one’s remains.”
Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration-of-life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.
You can also be sure that concern for the environment ranks high among many who choose cremation. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the ground water but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.
The Cremation Process
Cremation has been a part of the human death experience for a very long time. If you would like to understand more about the cremation process we invite you to read this section. We’ll also take a look at cremation costs that will help you with your decision.
A Short History of Cremation
According to Wikipedia, cremation dates back at least 20,000 years ago in Australia, while in Europe, there is evidence of cremation dating to around 2,000 B.C. Cremation was common in Ancient Greece and Rome, and it remains a standard practice in India. The practice of cremation faded in Europe by the fifth century and during the Middle Ages, it was primarily used in the punishment of heretics or in response to the fear of contagious diseases. Today, cremation is preferred by more and more people around the world.
The Flame Cremation Process
Traditional cremation is the process of reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call ashes. Returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these ashes can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one’s cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.
Author Michelle Kim, in How Cremation Works, details the cremation process: “In modern crematories, the body is stored in a cool, temperature-controlled room until it’s approved for cremation. The body is prepared by removing pacemakers, prostheses and silicone implants. The body is then put into a container or casket made out of flammable materials such as plywood, pine or cardboard.”
The container is placed in the retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to three hours to reduce an average adult to ash. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.
Cremation Costs
Cremation typically costs one-third of the cost of a traditional burial. While it’s true that cost is a big factor for many families, it’s important to remember that cremation is only one part of providing meaningful end-of-life care for a loved one. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is important and can be achieved with a memorial service. Bringing family and friends together provides everyone with the opportunity to share memories and receive support.
Online Sources:
Wikipedia, “Cremation”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation
Is it Time to Speak with One of Our Cremation Specialists?
We encourage open dialog about all end-of-life issues, and sincerely hope you reach out to us to dig deeper into the topics related to cremation and burial. Call us today at 903-396-2371 to ask a question or to set an appointment (either in your home or our office). We look forward to the conversation.