Cremation – Now What?

Cremation, the reduction of dead bodies to ashes, has gained popularity throughout the world. According to the Cremation Association of North America, 44.42% of people opt for cremation over traditional burial. It is forecasted that cremation will overtake burial by 2025, with an estimated 55.65% of people being cremated.

There are a number of reasons why cremation is chosen over regular burial—cost, portability of ashes, and other options. There are a number of different things you can do after your loved one has been cremated. Take these into consideration.

Burial

You can still bury cremated ashes or put them into a mausoleum. If a gravesite that can be visited is important to the deceased or the deceased's religion, this is a good option. The cost is still significantly cheaper than traditional burial (no coffin) but there is still a place to visit forever.

Funeral Diamonds

The ashes of the deceased can be turned into diamonds after cremation. The process takes about three months and uses high heat and pressure that mimics conditions within the Earth.

The process is expensive though, between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on a number of factors—about the cost of a funeral and burial. But instead of a cemetery to visit, you have a beautiful stone to wear around and always remember your loved one.

Coral Reefs

If the deceased was a lover of the sea, his/her cremated remains can be mixed with natural concrete to create an artificial coral reef. These reefs become habitats for fish and other sea creatures.

In the casting of the coral reef, family members can personalize it with handprints or messages. A dedication day is even set aside and a boat is chartered for friends and family to observe the reef being placed into its new home. The sea life is appreciative of the new habitat, and your loved one has provided a coral reef to help supplement the ones that are destroyed every year.

Tattoos

Yes, the ashes of your dearly departed love one can be turned into tattoo ink. If wearing the ashes in a locket or a diamond isn't close enough for you, you and your loved one can be closer than ever in the form of a tattoo memorializing the deceased using his/her ashes.

Burial, funeral diamonds, and coral reefs are just a few of the things that can be done with cremated remains. There are numerous other options, including shooting the ashes into space, turning them into fireworks, using them to fertilize a tree sapling, and the always popular, placing them in an urn on your fireplace's mantle.

Speak to a company like Marine Park Funeral Home Inc about your options. Whichever way you choose to memorialize your loved ones, it will be a fitting tribute to their life.


Share