Matz Funeral Home will work with you and your family, should you desire cremation.
What is cremation?
Cremation is an option more families are choosing as part of their funeral plans. It's no wonder, with all of the options available in cremation memorialization today.
Unlike the powdery "ashes" depicted in movies and television, the end result of the cremation process (two to three hours of intense heat applied in a cremation "retort") is approximately three to seven pounds of small bone fragments. These cremated remains are placed in a temporary container until the family decides upon final disposition.
The cremation option:
The reasons people give for choosing cremation vary from economic to ecologic. There are those who believe cremation is a less expensive funeral care alternative; yet others spend more on a funeral that includes cremation than on traditional burial.
Some believe it's the "right thing to do" for Mother Earth; committing their loved one's cremated remains to the wind, land, sea or even outer space.
Still others choose cremation when families are separated by distance, dividing the cremated remains which are kept in "keepsake" urns, such as sculptured artwork, or specially designed fine jewelry.
Whatever your reasons for choosing cremation, it is wise to explore the many options available. Don't hesitate to direct any questions or concerns to the funeral directors at Matz Funeral Home. We can provide guidance founded upon years of working with families who have chosen cremation as a means of final disposition.
Funeral services with cremation:
As the cremation rate has risen over the years, funeral care professionals have seen a tremendous growth in unique, individual tributes before or after the cremation process.
Prior to cremation, one may choose to have visitation and a funeral service with the casketed body present. Memorial tributes can also take place after cremation, either at the funeral home, the home of the family or a house of worship.
One may or may not choose to have the cremated remains displayed in an urn on the premises during memorial tribute services.
Regardless of when a service or memorial tribute is held, having some kind of ceremony provides friends and family with the opportunity to say a final "good-bye." This time also gives the bereaved an opportunity to share their memories and give support to one another.
Final Disposition:
Placing the cremated remains in a permanent memorial is just as important to some families as the memorial service itself. For many, a grave or mausoleum niche is a place to visit and remember the life of their loved one. Others find an appropriate place in their home to keep the cremated remains.
These options provide a family the opportunity to visit and reflect in a fixed, identifiable location; important to those wishing to keep close watch over their loved one.
One may choose to "scatter" cremated remains in a place of great significance. The sea, a meadow, or a favorite park are popular choices for individuals (There is even a company that will launch small capsules containing cremated remains into Earth's orbit!).
Costs:
Ranging from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, funeral services increase in price the more elaborate they are. Funeral costs, including those of the cremation process itself, vary depending upon the individual crematories.
Most crematories in America require some kind of closed, rigid container for the cremation process. Choices range from cardboard or particleboard containers to hardwood or metal caskets which are suitable for visitations and memorial services before the cremation.
Urns also vary in price and design. Made from a variety of materials including metal, hardwood, and ceramic, families can choose a receptacle based on the personality or hobbies of the deceased or even the decor of the room in which it will be placed.
Sculptured urns, are among the very latest in cremation tribute merchandise. There are also companies which incorporate cremated remains into crystal sculptures and jewelry.
Matz funeral home can assist you in making arrangements that suit your preferences and financial situation. Be sure to express your wishes, no matter what they may be.
Cremation options are limited only by one's imagination, and Matz funeral home will be happy to accomodate your wishes as best as possible.
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