Thomas Miller Mortuary and Crematory - Cremation Services Corona California

Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice for funeral services in recent years. In 2020, over 56% of people who died in the United States chose cremation, compared to just 4% in 1960. There are several reasons why more people today are selecting cremation over traditional burial.

What is Cremation?

Cremation Services Corona is the process of reducing a deceased person's body to bone fragments through the application of intense heat. The cremated remains, also known as ashes, are then placed in an urn or other container. Cremation is carried out at a crematorium by placing the body into a cremation chamber or retort where temperatures reach 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

After about 2-3 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation, leaving only bone fragments. These remaining bone pieces are then processed into ash using a device called a cremulator. The ashes are returned to the deceased’s family or loved ones to be interred, scattered, or kept.

Reasons for Choosing Cremation Services

There are many reasons why cremation has surpassed traditional casket burials in popularity today. Some of the most common motivations for choosing cremation include:

- Cost savings - Cremation is often thousands of dollars cheaper than burial. There are no costs for a burial plot, headstone, casket, embalming, etc.

- Convenience - Cremated remains are much easier to transport and can be scattered or kept in multiple locations of significance to the deceased.

- Environmental impact - Cremation avoids the use of embalming chemicals and takes up less land space than a traditional burial.

- Simplicity - The cremation process is quick and simple compared to a burial service which requires more coordination and planning.

- Changing attitudes - Cremation aligns with shifting preferences away from formal ceremonies and elaborate funerals. More people prefer direct cremation without any service.

Cremation Preplanning

While no one likes to think about their death, preplanning your cremation can provide peace of mind. Preplanning involves making cremation arrangements in advance so your wishes are clear to family members. Here are some steps for cremation preplanning:

- Decide on cremation - Make the choice for cremation and communicate it to loved ones so they understand your wishes.

- Research options - Contact local crematoriums to learn about available options and costs. This allows price comparisons.

- Prepay - Many crematoriums allow you to prepay for services at today's prices to avoid escalating costs.

- Fill out forms - Complete any pre-authorization forms so the crematorium has legal permission to conduct the cremation when the time comes.

- Plan final disposition - Decide what you would like done with your ashes - interment, scattering, or keeping in an urn. Share these wishes with family members.

- Make other arrangements - Outline any funeral service details like music, readings, obituary info, and memorial plans. Appoint someone to manage your last wishes.

By preplanning, you can define exactly how you want your cremation to be handled, reducing stress on grieving family members.

Benefits of Cremation

There are many reasons why cremation is an increasingly popular choice over casket burials. Benefits of choosing cremation include:

- Lower cost - Cremation is typically $2,000-$4,000 cheaper than burial. There are no casket, plot or headstone expenses.

- Portability - Cremated remains are easy to transport and families can choose to split ashes between different locations.

- Flexible urns - Ashes can be placed in decorative urns, jewelry, or other personalized containers. Urns come in many styles today.

- Environmentally friendly - Cremation avoids chemicals and takes up less land space, leaving a smaller carbon footprint.

- Convenience - The cremation process is quicker than burial arrangements, letting loved ones finalize affairs faster.

- Personalization - Cremation services can be customized with unique urns, ash scattering ceremonies, and memorial keepsakes.

Cremation has cemented itself as a preferred funeral practice thanks to its flexibility, affordability, and environmentally-conscious properties. Taking time to preplan your cremation makes the process smoother for family members. With so many benefits, it’s easy to understand cremation’s growing popularity.