CREMATION OPTIONS

By year-end 2008, the United States recorded 1.20 percent fewer deaths than the year before, And the trend seems to be continuing-as of Feb.3, 2009, the death rate was down 2.76 percent versus the same time last year. The data was supplied courtesy of Deanne Hill; market analyst with Aurora Casket Co. in Aurora, Ind. Hill spends part of her day analyzing death rates and ethnic trends to assist the national company with product development and sales projections. “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides data in a weekly publication titled MMWR which is the Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report,” says Hill, who joined Aurora Casket Co. two years ago.”They report deaths in 122 sample cities weekly all over the United States.” Hill adds that despite the aging baby boomer population, the current trend has seen a decline in the death rate across North America. “Our death rate has gone down the last couple of years which is attributable to rising life expectancy rates, and obviously better medicine and moderate temperatures,” she says. However, Hill, like many industry analysts, believes that North America will soon experience a hike in the death care rate. While Hill does not expect the death rate trend to reverse this year she says it will likely have a substantial impact on the funeral industry in the near future.

Latest statistics indicate people are living longer; however, an increase is inevitable as baby boomers age.

An American Cemetery article written by Vanderlyn R. Pine titled, “The Demography of Death,” states that over the course of the 20th century, the proportions of the population that are middle-aged and older have grown considerably. Pine writes, “The implications of this increase for health care, social security, long-term health care, patterns of dying and death, the funeral industry, the use of cemetery space and other end-of-life rituals matters are immense.” While Pine states that predictions are always risky, careful projections using well-measured facts are certainly a worthwhile endeavor. Based on his research, he believes there will be a drop in the annual number of deaths… and that this downward annual trend will continue until approximately 2013, at which time there is likely to be a steady and fairly rapid rising number of deaths each year for the foreseeable future. Hill says it is important for a large casket manufacturer like Aurora to regularly analyze the death rate as well as other trends in the death care market. “The death rate is important to many things we do from forecasting to other business decisions,” says Hill. Aurora Casket Co. a family business, established in 1890, is the largest privately owned casket manufacturer in the United States. With more than 200 employees, Aurora has grown into a successful and innovative company with 54 service centers across the country. In Canada, Aurora products are available through its Canadian partner Alliance-St. Laurent as well as their strategic union with Victoriaville Funeral Supplies. While Hill says it is vital for Aurora to forecast sales and trends, it is equally important for funeral homes to be aware of changes in their local market. Correctly projecting sales helps funeral homes reduce the amount of excess stock in their facilities. “There are different options for funeral homes,” says Hill. “Instead of carrying the entire inventory in the funeral home we also have technology-added showrooms. Instead of the traditional, full-sized caskets in a display room…. We have everything on a computer. So that would help funeral homes if they know the death rate and don’t have to hold too much inventory.” In addition to a likely increase in the future death rate, Hill identifies that North American is experiencing an increase in cremation. To help fill the demand for cremation-related products, Aurora also carries a complete line of cremation produces. “The cremation rate is increasing,” says Hill, adding that despite the increase in cremation products, Aurora’s future will still be focused on manufacturing caskets for the North America market. Any change to the industry will certainly have an impact. Analysts across the country will continue watching the trends, including the anticipation of a future increase in a currently declining death rate. Cremation Options is available at 1-877-989-9090 for any further questions or concerns that you have with respect to cremation services or products.

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Cremation decisions and choices can be quite involved when making cremation arrangements for a loved one.  Our professional staff will be pleased to guide you in planning your cremation arrangements and offer you our unique selection of cremation services and cremation merchandise during your time of loss.  This site has been created to guide you and your family through the entire cremation planning process and give you the knowledge to make an informed decision about cremation and help you to become aware of all of the cremation options before making your final decision.  Be aware that the act of cremation is irreversible, therefore you will want to discuss all cremation arrangements with your family members before making your final decisions.

Choosing cremation for a loved one does not limit one to simple ceremonies or no service at all and opting for cremation does not prevent a family or friends from celebrating the life of a love one or honoring one’s last wishes.  Some of the choices to consider are;

• Traditional religious ceremonies with or without visitation with cremation to follow
• Memorial services with or without the cremated remains present
• Placement of the cremated remains in a cemetery plot or mausoleum
• Scattering the cremated remains at sea or in a memorial garden
• Keeping a loved one’s cremated remains at your residence in a decorative urn and/or Creating a permanent memorial through a cemetery marker or planting a tree provides important emotional value and having a permanent memorial allows current and future generations a place to visit to honor and remember their loved one.

Cremation for some is thought to be a more natural process than burial, where as others have environmental concerns.  Cremation is a considerate alternative and environmentally, a responsible choice.  Our staff can provide you with the rules, regulations and laws pertaining to cremation and required by your state in order to resolve any negativity or misguidance toward the act of cremation that you may feel.

If you choose cremation and prefer not to have a service or gathering, the funeral director can be requested to remove the decedent and proceed with immediate cremation, although one should consider that at a later date such a decision may be regretted because it deprives family and friends the need for closure.  Meeting in a formal or informal setting with supportive friends and family or viewing the decedent after demise and prior to cremation, in many cases helps begin the healing process.

Over 7000,000 cremations are performed in the U.S. annually, and that number is expected to increase to over 1 million in the coming years.  The cost of direct cremation is approximately ¼ of the cost of a traditional burial and families of all different religious backgrounds are choosing this option and creating new and different, highly dignified ceremonies honoring and respecting their loved ones.

Our staff, being caring and creative will develop a personal service that is unique to the person it celebrates and make you feel comfortable about your final decision.  Our staff is available at any hour to answer any questions you may have or address any of your concerns.  For your convenience, Cremation Options is available to you and your family 24 hours a day.  Due to the large network of cremation providers that we work hand-in-hand with, we are able to offer you the highest quality of services at the lowest possible price.  If you would like to inquire more about cremation, please complete the contact us form and a representative from our firm will contact you or mail you various brochures upon your request.  If you are visiting our site due to a recent loss, please accept our deepest sympathy.

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In response to a request from the research staffs at NBC, ABC and CNN, I surveyed the laws of all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2009 when the Tri-State situation occurred. The survey indicated that at the time, approximately 24 states enacted comprehensive laws covering cremation practices and procedures. Since then, only about 10 states have passed or amended laws or regulations that can now be considered comprehensive. For licensing, individuals are to comply with whatever requirements are contained in a law. Typically, applicants are required to provide financial information; personal information for the individuals involved; information about the equipment; compliance with any environmental requirements; compliance with zoning requirements; and compliance with personnel training standards. Any person interested in obtaining a license must review the law, determine the requirements and submit the necessary information to governmental authorities.

What are the current issues related to establishing a crematory?

Several cases illustrate the problems that can arise in establishing a new crematory operation. The case of Roselawn Cemetery v. City of Roseville deals with the subject of zoning. The case: a cemetery wanted to build a crematory on its property and needed a conditional-use permit to do so. An application was filed with the city and the city planning commission recommended it be approved. The matter was forwarded to the City Council and a hearing was scheduled. One of the concerns was that the proposed site was approximately 2,500 feet from a water reservoir for the city of St. Paul, Minn. A hearing was held and the City Council rejected the application. The Lower Court affirmed that City Council’s decision and the cemetery appealed the decision. The Appeals Court affirmed the Lower Court on the basis that the cemetery failed to meet its burden of showing that toxic compounds emitted by the proposed crematorium in a residential neighborhood 2,500 feet away from a reservoir supplying drinking water would not affect the general health, welfare and public safety. According to the court, the city did not act unreasonably, arbitrarily or capriciously when it denied the cemetery’s request for a conditional-use permit. The decision’s disturbing part is that non-scientific evidence of the possible effect of mercury emissions was used to justify the City Council’s decision and then again, as a basis for the Lower and Appeals Court determining that the City Council had not acted unreasonably. The case of Lakeside Cemetery v. Conlon concerned a review of zoning board’s decision granting Lakeside’s petition to install a crematory in a chapel building on the cemetery grounds. The adjoining residences objected at the hearing. They stated there would be increased traffic and pollution from the cremations, as well as change in the residential character of the neighborhood and visual impact of the cemetery. Neighbors provided testimony of a local real estate agent, as well as their own testimony, that the value of their property would be reduced as a result of the crematory’s installation. Lakeside filed a motion for summary judgment challenging all the neighbor’s claims and the evidence provided in support of those claims. The increased pollution claim was countered by the project’s approval from the Department of Environmental Protection. The increased traffic was countered by a traffic study and Lakeside challenged the testimony of the real estate agent and neighbors about the effect on value. The court reviewed the evidence and denied the motion on the basis that the neighbors presented enough of the case to have a trail. Both of these cases illustrate that establishing a crematory is no longer an easy project. It is very important to anticipate a dispute, particularly if the proposed crematory is going to be in or near a residential area. Even when an applicant provides a zoning agency with the best information, expert testimonies and reports, there is no assurance that emotional statements will be given more weight than they deserve in a final determination.

What is involved in the license revocation process?

The procedures for revocation of a license in most states are substantially the same. The  reason; primarily because they require basic due process procedures to follow the state and federal constitutions. Usually, the laws provide a clear standard for a violation that could cause a revocation such as notice to the licensee; the opportunity to challenge the revocation in administrative proceedings; and the right to challenge the decision in the courts. The procedures for revoking a license are often set out in a summary fashion in the statutory provision with a reference to a state’s administrative procedure law. If your license is subject to possible revocation, it is very important that you review the procedures that will be followed in any proceeding. You should also obtain professional assistance in connection with any revocation of license proceedings.

What are the standard areas of litigation?

While litigation in the cremation area has increased, there are some definite areas where most cases have occurred:

• Identification of bodies before and during cremations.
• Authorizations of cremations.
• Family disputes.
• Indigent or governmental cremations.
• Engaging in prohibited practices.
• Family viewing of the cremation.

What are the problems concerning authorizations?

Most problems can be resolved with a proper authorization form.  If you are still using an authorization form that is on one page and only one or two paragraphs long, you are inviting a lawsuit.  Also, when there is any question involving the legality of a cremation authorization or the authority of the person signing it, do not perform the cremation.  The case of Snell  v. Seidler illustrates the type of situation that can arise when cremation authorizations might be questioned.  The decedent’s son brought action against the executor of the decedent’s estate and county coroner.  This rose out of their failure to notify him of the decedent’s death and the cremation of decedent’s body.  The decedent lived alone and was found dead in his home when he failed to meet some neighbors.  The coroner determined there was no reason for an autopsy.  He asked the executor if there were any next-of-kin and she indicated there were none.  The decedent had a long-term relationship with the executor’s aunt and when the aunt died, her niece became the decedent’s executor.  The decedent entered into a pre-need cremation contract with a local funeral home.  The decedent’s body was turned over to the funeral home and the cremation was performed.  Subsequently, it was discovered  that the decedent had a son.  The son filed a lawsuit against the coroner and the executor for “Theft of a Corpse” requesting $250,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages of $500,000 from each of them.  The coroner answered the complaint by denying the claims and asserting statutory immunity.  The executor denied the claims and claimed the son did not have standing.  The lower court ruled in favor of the coroner and executor’s motions for summary judgment and the son appealed.  The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision.  Surprisingly, the funeral home was not sued in this case.

What problems occur when a family is not allowed to view a cremation?

Aware of the Tri-State situation, consumers are now concerned that remains of their loved ones are actually cremated.  Some religions that favor cremation require a family member to actually start the cremation process.  Most of the progressive crematories have not established witnessing areas and some actually charge a fee for the service.  If a crematory has a witnessing program it should have rules and regulations for the witnessing and have each witness sign a release form. If Cremation Options can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact us at 1-877-989-9090.

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When people depart from this world, their bodies have to undergo one of two types of funeral processes, namely, cremation or burial. Before the last century, most Christians were not allowed to cremate the dead bodies of their loved ones, and burial was the only option for them. However, as time progressed, cremation became more acceptable as a form of funeral rite, and soon, more and more people in North America and Europe began to choose a cremation funeral over traditional burial.

Perhaps, the main reason why people choose cremation is because it is more affordable, but not always. In the past, people did not have to think too much about what kind of funeral process they should choose to honor their deceased loved ones. There was enough space in most places for the burying of loved one, and almost everybody could afford a burial plot. However, the world today is much more populated and more deaths are occurring. As such, burial plots have become more exclusive, and burials are no longer a feasible option for many ordinary folks simply due to the cost. In addition, the increasing cost for a burial plot, a casket for burial is also much costlier than a cremation urn.

People also prefer cremation because it gives them a certain sense of comfort. When a loved one is buried, it is known that their body will be subjected to decomposition for a long period of time, and many people are not comfortable with that situation. With a cremation funeral, the body will be deteriorated in a short time, and the cremains will be kept in an urn for burying, scattering, or keeping in the house. If you wish to keep the cremains of your loved one close to you, you will definitely find cremation a better option.

A cremation funeral is also simpler and more convenient. To plan a burial, many things have to be taken into consideration, such as the location of the burial plot, the transportation of the casket, and the burial rite itself. It can be a bit of a hassle for you to deal with, especially in a time of grief. A cremation funeral is a lot less complicated, but it is just as dignified as a traditional burial.

If you need more information about cremation and your cremation options, you can visit Cremation Options and check out the different types of cremation services we offer.

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Upon losing your dearly departed, the time will come for you to make choices as to whether to have a traditional burial or engage cremation services. Some people make their decisions based upon financial issues, religious preferences, family beliefs, or their concern for the environment.

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to making arrangements. When cremation is chosen, some people are comforted by holding onto the cremains in a decorative urn, while others seek another alternative. Cremains can be scattered by aircraft, buried at a cemetery, placed in a mausoleum, buried at sea, and even buried at home.

You may find it comforting to know that there is an inspirational option available for cremains that can provide comfort for your family and help the environment at the same time. Your cremains can be made into a living memorial ocean reef that gives new meaning to a burial at sea.

Over time, mankind has done considerable damage to our oceans. In many areas, reefs have been damaged so terribly that various plants and sea life are in danger of extinction. These man made reefs mimic natural reef formations on the ocean floor. The special design features of these reefs make it easy for sea life to attach and grow. These living reefs create new habitat for fish, turtles, and many other forms of sea life.

Once a decision is made for your cremains to be part of these special memorial reefs, the cremains are mixed with a unique concrete formula. Interestingly enough, family members and friends are invited to help with the mixing and molding process of the reef. After the mold is made, a special surface texture that encourages marine life growth is placed on the mold. Once the mold has cured for about a month, a site will be chosen as to where the new reef will be placed. Family and friends are once again invited to participate as they climb aboard a “family boat” and help dedicate the new site where the structure will be placed. Allowances are made for personal dedications as well as full military services. If requested, cremains can even be combined together with other family members or family pets.

These amazing reefs are designed to last for 500 years and have withstood countless ocean shifts and hurricanes. To further dedicate the reef, there is a bronze plaque that is affixed to the reef with your loved ones name on it, providing a permanent gravesite marker. Family members are encouraged to re-visit the site in the future and view the amazing life forms that will thrive because of these reefs.

Besides helping replenish the oceans ecosystem, these memorial reefs provide comfort to surviving family members. Many families enjoy knowing an exact location that their loved ones cremains will be as opposed to scattering the cremains in the ocean.

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