All You Need to Know About Cremation

The death of a loved one is a terribly tragic event. For most people, the notion of performance of proper funerary rites is intrinsically linked to the impulse of paying respect to the one gone by gaining cosmic closure. Over centuries, different religious and cultural groups have followed different funerary traditions, of which cremation is still widely practiced today. But one's curiosity in this regard may be difficult to articulate. Thus, here is a comprehensive overview of the entire crematory process and the various implications it has.

What Cremation Is

Cremation is a funerary process that originated in the Greco-Roman society of the Ancient World. It originally entailed the disposal of the dead, be it an animal or human, through the burning of the corpse, often accompanied by some ceremonial activity. Several different Indo-Aryan cultures are known to have adopted a similar funerary process, which evolved over time to become 'cremation' as we know it today.

The Religious Connotations

Religion has always played an important role in determining funerary traditions. Certain religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism mandate cremation as the legitimate way of performing last rites. Judaic-Christian cultures, on the other hand, have conventionally had burials as the last rites for their brethren though the Bible does not forbid cremation. At the other extreme, Islam and several sects of some religions actively discourage cremation. However, today, in an age of liberalism, many non-Indo-Aryans go in for cremation and not burials, without facing any reproach or stigma, except perhaps from religious orthodoxy.

The Cremation Process

While in India and Nepal open-air cremations are performed, in most parts of the world, crematoriums are where the deceased are cremated. In the latter case, the body is placed within a furnace called the 'retort' or simply 'cremation chamber'; here it is exposed to high temperature till it decomposes to the form of bone fragments (and not ashes). A mechanical process is then used to reduce the bone matter into a finer, powdery substance, which is then placed within a temporary container for forwarding to the family or closest kin of the deceased.

Disposal of Remains

Once the crematory remains are handed over to the family, they are treated according to the religion, culture or personal wishes of the deceased. The more common modes of disposal are these – storing remains in an urn, burying them at different locations, placing them in a special building called a 'Columbarium', or sprinkling them over some land, mountain or water body. Many individuals also do something distinct that is relevant to the life and experiences of their deceased loved-one.

Why Cremation is Preferred Over Burial

In contemporary times, many people have begun to opt for cremation over burial as the preferred ritualistic send-off for the deceased. Some people, of course, do so due to their religious affiliations, others go for cremation since it is somewhat more economical than a traditional burial process. Some feel that since the body decomposes faster, cremation speeds the potential oncoming of an afterlife.

Bidding a final farewell to someone you know shall certainly be a moving, poignant experience. Therefore, make sure you choose a way that is appropriately respectful to the person whose life and memory you are honoring through the funerary process.

These are some facts about cremation and why it is preferred over burial. If you are looking out for a good place for direct cremation in CT or nearby, visit this website.