Cremation Services

What is Cremation?

The modern practice of cremation dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Yet, throughout history, many cultures have chosen cremation as a method of caring for the dead. Very simply, cremation is the process of reducing the body to bone fragments through the application of intense heat.

In recent years, cremation has become increasingly popular in the United States. For many years, people believed that at the time of death only two basic choices existed: a complete funeral including viewing, followed by burial or immediate cremation of the body.  Cremation was often considered to be an inexpensive or a less complicated substitute for the "traditional" funeral with burial.  As times change, trends and attitudes change too; and therefore, more people are choosing cremation today simply as a matter of personal preference.  Actually several options are available for those who prefer cremation; perhaps even more than with burial.  Today many opportunities exist for meaningful services for the benefit of family and friends - both before and after the cremation process takes place.  Such as these examples:

**The Funeral Service and Cremation
Just like burial, cremation can occur after a funeral service where the body and casket is present at the service. The only real difference between a funeral followed by burial and one followed by cremation is that the body is taken to the crematory after the service in lieu of procession to the cemetery.

**The Memorial Service and Cremation
A memorial service, like a funeral, is a service of remembrance, only without the body present. It may be held at a place of worship, the funeral home or any other appropriate location. Regardless of the site, we will assist in planning and organizing the service, and provide the necessary staff to direct the service.  An urn may be present for the memorial service, as the casket would be for a funeral.

**Direct Cremation
An immediate or direct cremation is limited to the prompt cremation of the body following death, with no formal funeral or memorial services. Following cremation, the cremated remains are returned to the family for disposition as they wish.

**Other Cremation Service Options
While these descriptions cover the general type of cremation services, your choices are not required to fit exactly into any particular category.  There are literally "options within options" available to provide a meaningful service.

Urns
An urn serves the same purpose after cremation that a casket does with burial: it contains the remains and becomes part of the memorial site.  Urns range in style from classic and traditional designs to contemporary.  Their composition may range from hardwood, stone or marble to castings of bronze, copper or other precious metals.  Urn prices will vary according to their size, materials and workmanship.*Embalming and Cremation
Embalming is most often a matter of practical necessity for a service with the body present.  For any type of public visitation with the body present, we require embalming. For immediate cremation, embalming is not required.

Memorialization
Memorialization is the act of establishing a permanent means to commemorate the life of the deceased.  Several choices exist:

A.  Burial: Urns may be buried in standard cemetery plots and this is a frequent choice when space for the deceased has been reserved in a family plot. In many instances, two urns may be placed in one adult size space.  Some cemeteries have special burial areas for urns to be buried.   

B.  Inurnment:  Inurnment is the placing of an urn within a niche in a columbarium.  Columbaria are most often located within a cemetery or church yard and may be an entire building, a room or a series of niches along inside walls.  They may also be a free-standing granite or marble structure for this purpose.  Our Whispering Winds Cemetery has a red granite Columbarium with 95 niches.  Two specific size urns can be placed in the same niche. 

C.  Scattering:  Some people prefer scattering. Today, it is not unusual to hear of someone's cremated remains being scattered in the air or over water. This is legal in many areas, but not on federal lands or river ways.  Though it may have particular appeal for some people, survivors' feelings and a possible unavailability of a permanent place of remembrance should be carefully considered.

D.  Ossuary:  This is similar to scattering; however the cremated remains are poured together into a common porous underground container.  As water enters and leaves the container, cremated remains are taken in the soil.  This choice allows a simple opportunity for a permanent remembrance spot. 

Pre-arranging the Cremation Service
Pre-arrangement is a thoughtful method of funeral planning which grows in popularity every year.  Some people do this with the sincere desire to avoid being a burden on their families.  Others like the idea of "having taken care of everything," and yet others may have no one else who can make arrangements for them.  Pre-arrangement is a wise choice in regard to cremation.  When death occurs, it is the next of kin who assumes primary responsibility for the disposition.  Making funeral arrangements for someone while guessing at their preference may be one of the most difficult tasks a person can face. Having your choices and instructions for services and cremation on file with a funeral director eliminates unresolved questions, which may confound others.  Funding the cremation service can further ease the financial concerns of family members.  This allows you to arrange the kind of service you prefer and be assured of adequate funds for the future payment of the service.

Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes Cremation Services 

We at Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes offer a full range of cremation options.  Some of our more popular cremation options are listed below:

A.        FULL SERVICES WITH CREMATION                                                

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing, (one day or portion thereof, with funeral services the following day) and funeral services or ceremony in other facility, committal at crematory, graveside services, hearse and lead/flower car.

                (Excluding the purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket & Cremation)

B.        FULL SERVICES WITH CREMATION & FEE FOR CEREMONIAL CASKET      

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or portion thereof, with funeral services the following day) and funeral services or ceremony in other facility, transfer to crematory, committal at crematory, graveside services, hearse, lead/flower car and fee for ceremonial casket. 

                (Required cremation container included with ceremonial casket; excluding Cremation)

C.        PARTIAL SERVICES                                                                               

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or portion thereof, with funeral services the same day), and funeral services or ceremony in other facility, transfer to crematory, committal at crematory, hearse and flower/lead car. 

                (Excluding purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket & Cremation)   

D.        CREMATION WITH EVENING VISITATION AND GRAVESIDE

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, embalming, other preparations of the body, use of facilities for viewing (one day or portion thereof, with no ceremony), transfer of remains to crematory, equipment and staff for graveside service and flower/lead care. 

                (Excluding purchase of casket or fee for ceremonial casket & Cremation)

E.        DIRECT CREMATION WITH MEMORIAL SERVICE                    

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to crematory, use of facilities for memorial services or ceremony in other facility and flower car. 

                 (Excluding price of Cremation Container, Cremation, & Graveside Committal with tent)

F.         DIRECT CREMATION WITH GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE

Basic services funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to crematory, equipment and staff for graveside memorial service and flower car.                 

                (Excluding price of Cremation Container & Cremation)

G.        DIRECT CREMATION WITH GRAVESIDE COMMITTAL                       

Basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to funeral home within 30 miles, transfer of remains to crematory, and staff for graveside service and flower car. 

                (Excluding price of Cremation Container & Cremation)                                                                               

H.        DIRECT CREMATION WITHOUT CEREMONY                                          

Our charge for direct cremation (without ceremony) includes the basic services of funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to the funeral home within 30 miles, and transfer of remains to crematory.

              (Excluding the price of the Cremation Container & Cremation)