Cremation is the process of using intense heat to a corpse and transforming it into bone fragments in the form of ash. The cremation takes place in a cremation chamber and the remains are placed in a special urn. Many funeral homes offer cremation services for family members or friends who wish to have the deceased person cremated. Someone who is cremated can still have full funeral services. The casket will just be replaced with the urn.

Why do people choose cremation?

There are multiple reasons a person may choose to be cremated after they die. In some countries, such as Japan or Scandinavia, it is the rite of preference. Other factors to choose cremation include:

• Economy

• Convenience

• Spiritual philosophy

• Environmental philosophy

What happens at a cremation funeral service?

Most people don't realize that a person who is cremated can still have full funeral and burial services. There can be music, recitations, prayers, and anything else the family wants for the service. You can still have a visitation and viewing service the night before, as is customary for most funerals. The only difference is the lack of a coffin.

What happens with the remains after the funeral?

After the funeral, you will need to decide what you are going to do with the remains. Sometimes the person who died will leave a testament about what they want to happen with their ashes. This makes it easier. But if they don't you have a few different options for the remains:

• Graveside services – The urn can be buried at the cemetery in a plot.

• Scattering – The ashes can be scattered somewhere special to the person.

• Interment – The urn can be placed in a columbarium with a special plaque to identify the specific spot they are buried. Also known as an urn garden depending on the location.

• Memorial – Some people like to place ashes in special memorial items, like stuffed animals, tiny statues, or jewelry. This is usually when the deceased is a child and the parent wants something special for them.

• Trees – A lot of people will plant a special tree for the deceased and bury the ashes with the tree.

• Urn – You can also just leave the ashes in the urn and keep it in your home on display.

Finally, did you know that most funeral homes will offer free cremation services for stillborn babies or children under a certain age? In order to find one in your area, you can ask your local hospital or funeral homes. Check out sites like http://www.serenicare.com/ for more information.