Cremation

Cremation

Like burial, cremation is form of disposition; the choice made of how a person's remains will be cared for after death.  Cremation provides the rapid oxidation of the deceased. A casket is not legally required for cremation, however the crematories in Massachusetts do require a rigid container in lieu of a casket. Depending on the type of services that precede the cremation, you may purchase or provide an alternative container made of wood and heavy in lieu of a casket, purchase or provide a wood casket, or rent a casket which provides a traditional look for services and has a removable alternative container lining the interior suitable for the cremation.

In Massachusetts, cremation is highly regulated.  Crematories are only owned by cemeteries; funeral home, private businesses and individuals are not allowed to own and operate a crematory.  Our crematory of choice is Newton Cemetery Crematory in Newton, MA. (http://www.newcemcorp.org )

Because cremation is irreversible, there is a series of steps required by Massachusetts law and the crematory to be completed prior to the cremation.  A 48 hour waiting period must expire before the cremation.  In that time, the funeral director will obtain the death certificate from the physician and complete the additional information section; file the certificate in the town/city where the death occurred and obtain the permit that allows the disposition. The proposed cremation is reported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston for case assignment, and for a fee a representative from the Medical Examiner's Office will view the deceased and death certificate at the funeral home or crematory prior to the cremation, and will approve or delay the cremation depending on their findings. 

In addition, a cremation authorization must be signed by the closest next-of-kin to the deceased, which is determined by who has the legal right to make the decisions regarding final disposition.  A spouse signs for his or her spouse; if the person is not married and has children, all the children sign for the parent and all must be in agreement to the cremation; if there is no spouse or children, then the right of disposition branches out to grandchildren, parents and other extended family.  In some cases, a person may have no living relatives and the authorization is signed by their executor or attorney.  For this reason, it is a good idea to have an "Intent to Cremate" form completed and notarized to show those left behind your wishes to be cremated.

Cremation Choices

If the body is cremated:

1. The remains can be stored by the family
2. You may take the remains in the simple cardboard box supplied by the crematory and distribute ("scatter") them over the land or water, keeping in mind there are regulations and guidelines regulating scattering.
3. The remains can be placed in a niche within a columbarium.
4. The remains can be buried in the ground in a regular plot or in a smaller cremation plot.
5. The remains can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum.

Why people choose cremation

• In the United States the rate of people choosing cremation is growing rapidly.
• Many believe that the cremation process is more green because it is so rapid and disposition is not required to be in a traditional cemetery, which some feel is not a good use of space
• Those who choose cremation for themselves or others often hold the belief that it is better to honor the memory of the person.
• It offers a wider time frame for services, allowing people to gather for services anytime after the cremation is complete.

Here are some other reasons you might choose cremation:

• Cremation is traditional in your family, religious group, or geographical area
• You prefer the body to be returned quickly and cleanly to the elements
  • Many people believe that a cremated body becomes one with nature more quickly.
• You have environmental concerns
  • Perhaps you are worried about the use of valuable land for cemetery space, or believe it is wrong to fill the ground with materials that won't erode ... metal coffins and concrete vaults.
• You want to keep the costs down
  • Selecting cremation does not mean, however, that you will have an inexpensive funeral.
  • You might still choose an expensive casket and/or a viewing, and/or decide to have the cremated remains buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium. These choices can bring your costs up to those of a traditional funeral.

Decisions you must make if you choose cremation

• Whether to use an urn or container
• Do you want viewing, visiting or services before or after the cremation, or even a combination of both
• Will you require an urn or container
• What to do with the remains

If you are distributing the remains

Some jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the scattering of remains; others require a permit. Ask your funeral director.

Also, ask if there are any firms in your area that specialize in unique ways of distributing the remains, such as a plane to spread them over a mountain, or a ship to scatter them at sea.

Think of places that were especially loved by the deceased, close to home or far away. You can walk in the woods, by a favorite lake, or on the old family farm.

Be sure to ask permission if you want to use private property.

What about using the remains to create new life, by planting a tree? Some survivors choose to mix the remains with the soil in flowerbeds and rose gardens at home. Every time the roses bloom, you will be reminded of your loved one.

If you decide to do this, however, consider what will happen if, some day, you move away.