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Highlands Today

Once Again, Cremation Is A Popular Option

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: October 7, 2008

Apparently, cremation is a hot topic among seniors these days.

After all, it was the choice of actors Paul Newman and Heath Ledger. Star Trek's James Doohan chose to be cremated, then beamed into outer space.

University of Florida professors Tony Falsetti and Michael Warren counted 71,739 cremations in Florida during 2000, or about 25 percent of total after-life services. The number of cremations will grow to 47 percent by 2010, according to the Cremation Association of North America.

Whatever the real figure, Linda O'Neal says the number of cremations is on the rise, and she's one reason why. On Thursday morning, O'Neal was distributing pamphlets at Lakeshore Mall. She sells crematory services for ICS Cremation Society, a 12-year-old Cape Coral company.

"It's convenient," said O'Neal. Snowbirds, who are often from Michigan or Ohio, find it's expensive to fly a casket and corpse to another state, so cremation is a less expensive option. "They can have a memorial service here, and have the ashes shipped up north."

Funeral services average $7,250, according to elderweb.com. ICS pre-arranges a cremation package for $995, with a $50 savings (she doesn't use the word discount) for veterans, and $150 off for hospice patients. Payment plans can be arranged.

The industry is state-regulated, so the money is placed in trust at Wachovia Bank. if ICS goes out of business, the money is returned. If the policyholder changes his mind, 90 percent of the money is returned.

"And you don't have to go to the funeral home," she said. "We come to them."

After the body goes to the crematorium in Punta Gorda, the ashes can be delivered back to the home, or shipped anywhere. As a service to the family, tissue donations can also be arranged, and the ashes can also be scattered at sea.
LifeGem can also compress the ashes into a diamond, but that's an expensive process O'Neal doesn't recommend.

What happens to the ashes, in most cases?

"Some people keep them at home. Some bury them. Sometimes, they go to the mausoleum. They can scatter them in various places. One man who worked at the race track wanted his ashes scattered there, and they did that at the end of the day. Some are scattered at the race track," O'Neal said. Ashes are generally not considered toxic.

"For a lot of people, it's a great comfort to have them at home. Others couldn't stand it. It's their choice," O'Neal said.

Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828

Source: everlifememorials.com

Questions And Answers

A Short History of Cremation

Cremation probably began in the Stone Age, around 3000 B.C. Decorative pottery urns have been found in western Russia.

During the Bronze Age, 2500 to 1000 B.C., cremation moved into the British Isles and into what is now Spain and Portugal.

By the time of Homer, 800 B.C., cremation was encouraged in Greece for health and expedient burial of slain warriors. Cremation around 600 B.C. and was so prevalent an official decree had to be issued in the 5th century against burning bodies within Rome. Remains were stored in elaborate urns.

Early Christians considered cremation a pagan ritual. In the Jewish culture, entombment was traditional. By 400 A.D., as a result of Constantine's Christianization of the Empire, burial replaced cremation except for plague or war.

Modern cremation began a century ago, after years of experimentation into the development of a dependable chamber. In the British Isles, Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Henry Thompson, founded the Cremation Society of England in 1874.

Nineteenth century crematories sprang up in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan and California. By 1999, there were 1,468 crematories and 595,617 cremations in the U.S.

What happens during the cremation process? A casket is placed in the cremation chamber. The temperature is raised to 1400 degrees for two hours. All organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. Pacemakers and other medical devices must be removed because they may explode when subjected to high temperature. Jewelry also will be destroyed. Bones and ashes are processed into a uniform powder.

Are cremations done individually? Yes. Laws require only one casket or container is cremated at a time.

When after death can a cremation take place? Because cremation is irreversible and the process will eliminate any chance to determine the cause of death, states require that each cremation be authorized by the coroner or medical examiner.

Why is refrigeration of the remains necessary? Because there's a waiting period before embalming may begin, either refrigeration or embalming is necessary to protect the body, family, friends, and the crematory operator. Embalming is optional, if there won't be a public viewing of the deceased.

Is a casket required? For sanitary reasons and dignity, cremations require that the deceased is placed in a combustible, leak proof, rigid, covered container. It can be a casket or a wood container. Some funeral homes rent caskets.

Can I bring an urn? Yes, but discuss it with the crematorium advisor.

Can I watch the cremation? Some crematoriums will make arrangements.

What about funeral arrangements? Funeral services can be scheduled before or after cremation, at a church or a place where ashes will be buried or scattered, or the home where ashes will be kept. If ashes are scattered, get the permission of the property owner.

What is a columbarium? Small compartments to hold cremation urns at a mausoleum or chapel.

Do all religions permit cremation? Before arranging a cremation, speak with your pastor.

Source: everlifememorials.com Source: everlifememorials.com

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