Funeral processions are headed by cars containing the mourners and followed by the hearse and friends of the family. The lights on the motorcade were traditionally the signal for bystanders to pause to show respect for the departed, a custom that has gradually eroded. Traditionally, Chinese Canadians mourners insisted on an impressive funeral procession to reflect the status of the individual in the community.
The norm for interment is ground burial in ethnically and religiously appropriate cemeteries. Cremation reducing the body to ashes by burning is increasingly common in Canada. Early Canadian Buddhists , based on the model of the Buddha, uniformly cremated the deceased; currently some Buddhists have departed from this tradition and utilize ground burial, or interment of the ashes in a grave.
Some Orthodox Christians , traditional Muslims, Jews and Indigenous people resist cremation on religious grounds.
Even among Roman Catholics the trend toward cremation is growing, especially since when the Pope lifted the official prohibition against the practice. Furthermore, direction for burial is important for Sunni Muslims, who are typically placed facing Mecca.
Funeral directors suggest that the mode of disposal is defined culturally, not religiously. Lack of space available for burial use has also encouraged the trend to cremation.
The "greening" of the industry is another recent trend, affecting everything from the wood stain used on caskets to reducing the gas costs for cremation. A new kind of preservative is being promoted to replace the formaldehyde that is used in the embalming process because of the longevity of formaldehyde and its impact on phreatic zone and on the soil in cemeteries.
Some funeral homes now cater almost exclusively to the green market. Cemeteries may be either private or public, though there are legislated restrictions on private cemeteries. A gravesite is regarded by law as a piece of real estate and a deed is issued for the lot. The "deed" is frequently a form of rental and not a complete transfer of title.
Most cemeteries have regulations regarding tombstones , markers and even flowers; contemporary cemeteries often try to create a park-like setting rather than traditional rows of graves. Ethnic, religious and even sectarian cemeteries are common in Canada and have restrictions based on memberships. Cemeteries may impose time limits on the use of plots or may reuse a plot for a relative after a specified period of time.
The trend away from ostentatious monuments continues, sometimes at cemeteries' insistence, but also because of high prices for materials such as marble. Some memorial parks with special theme areas or ethnic gardens have been established across the country, and costs for their plots include a percentage for perpetual care.
The graveside service with the committal to earth, historically completed with a symbolic toss of soil on the lowered casket, is the last act of the mourners. Closing the grave is left to the cemetery workers. Disposal of ashes from cremation is left to the family of the deceased, and since there are no laws requiring specific placement of deposits, the ashes may be spread anywhere.
Some people arrange for the ashes to be placed in an urn, and some cemeteries sell niches in a vault for this purpose. No set period is allocated for the bereavement process; traditional Jewish law specifies one week of mourning, after which reintegration with the community is enjoined.
Widows in some traditions, such as Coptic Christian, are required to wear black clothing for a year, at the end of which a memorial service is held. Some Catholics adhere to the practice of holding a mass on the first anniversary of the death and some have masses said for the deceased, but Protestants have eschewed this remembrance of the dead.
Some Muslims have a memorial dinner annually, especially if the individual was well-known in the community. Mormons often initiate special rituals designed to elevate to a state of grace the souls of those who have died without being initiated into the faith.
Various Orthodox believers have an annual day for remembering the dead, when the names of all the dead from the community are read, and prayers said, after which the family will visit the gravesite. For most Canadians, the funeral service is the last public occasion for relating to the dead. Among some Indigenous peoples of the Yukon and northern British Columbia , small houses surrounded by a fence are built over a grave, with symbolic offerings for the journey to the land of the dead.
Mausoleums may also be erected for the wealthy or distinguished deceased, but cost and a resistance to glorifying the dead has kept the practice from becoming widespread. For those who leave a will, an executor will call the beneficiaries together for its reading, and the memory of the deceased lives on in the disposal of the inheritance.
Private grave visitation may serve to bolster the memory but, except for those who follow ancestral traditions, there is little overt link with the dead. Search The Canadian Encyclopedia. Remember me. I forgot my password. Why sign up? A typical identification procedure will include having a family member confirm the identity.
Next, a metal ID tag is placed on the body. This will remain throughout the process. Following the cremation, the identification tag is put with the remains.
Usually, the body is bathed, cleaned, and dressed before identification. There is no embalming unless you have a public viewing or you request it. Next, the technician removes jewelry or other items that you would like to keep. Medical devices and prosthetics that are mechanical or contain batteries are also removed to prevent reaction during the cremation process. Items such as pins, screws, and joints remain in place. Recycling policies for medical devices vary by the facility but in no case are the devices reused as-is.
They are disassembled, melted down, or disposed of in some other responsible method. There are special caskets made for cremation, or you can use a simple cardboard box. The key rule is that the container must be sturdy enough to hold the body, and it must be combustible. A cremation chamber is referred to as a retort. It is an industrial furnace that is large enough to hold one body.
Fire-resistant bricks line the chamber. The bricks can withstand temperatures up to degrees. Modern cremation furnaces follow according to strict environmental and air quality standards—natural gas, propane, or diesel fuel power the furnaces. They are also automated and computerized. After incineration, the remains are cooled. The operator inspects the remains for remnants of metal left behind and removes them by hand or with strong magnets.
Although all the organic body tissue is eradicated by the heat and the fluids evaporate, some of the bone and bone fragments endure. The ashes you receive is actually bone matter that has been ground by a cremulator.
Many people are surprised at the amount of ashes they receive. The cremains of an average adult person weigh approximately five pounds. Our bones naturally become less dense as we age. The age of the person, their size, and their bone density can also determine the amount of ashes.
Yes, caskets are often rented. This most often occurs when a funeral or memorial service will be held before the cremation. It makes more economical sense than purchasing an extremely costly casket, which would be destroyed during the cremation process. A rental casket looks the same as a typical one, except it has an inexpensive removable insert, otherwise known as an alternative casket. The insert, which actually contains the body, is usually constructed of wood or sturdy cardboard.
After the service, the alternative casket with the body is removed and the deceased is cremated in that container. Since the body never touches the outer casket, the crematorium can rent it out again.
For that reason, renting is considerably less than purchasing a casket. For someone desiring simplicity and low cost, direct cremation is the most straightforward and economical option. Even though a funeral home sometimes makes the arrangements, there is no memorial service, wake, or viewing before the cremation. After the cremation process, the ashes are either given to the family or the crematorium takes care of them. In most cases, yes. Unless extra options are chosen that boost the costs, burial is typically much more expensive.
The cost of a casket is the largest expense with burial in most cases. A casket is not necessary with cremation. If there is no viewing, there is no need for embalming or cosmetic expenses. In addition, the funeral home and staff are not required, which is commonly another one of the largest expenses. Unless you intend to bury the cremains, there is no need to buy a plot and purchase a grave marker. They pose no health hazards however there are a few stipulations that should be considered regarding the scattering of ashes.
As with fertilizer, ashes that are scattered on the ground in a condensed area can possibly burn the grass and plants. In some areas, it is also recommended that cremated remains not be scattered in an area with a delicate ecosystem, such as mountain peaks. Check with the rules in your specific area. The Catholic view on cremation has continually changed over the years to allow it, due in part to the changing times and financial concerns. However, a few religions still do not allow it, such as Judaism and Islam.
What the bible says and how God feels about cremation is sometimes a major concern. Because there is no place in the bible that says cremation is prohibited, most religions allow cremation. Our article about cremation and the bible goes into more depth with verses, references, and whether God is against it.
In most crematoriums, the family is allowed to witness the procedure. A separate viewing room with a window into the chamber area is normally present. In some locations there may be a charge, but it is usually minimal. Did you know that you can have a flameless cremation? Water cremation , also known as alkaline hydrolysis and resomation, uses water to mimic the decomposition of a body buried underground.
It is thought to have a number of benefits in comparison to traditional cremation, mainly being eco friendly. Picking up the body is usually included within a certain driving distance and they typically take care of the paperwork. If you need some more detail, take a look at our cremation prices section.
Some people forget that the cremation is not the end. They forget there is still the decision of a final resting place. What should you do with the ashes? Many cemeteries have a specific area for the burial of cremains. The plots are smaller therefore they normally cost less than one for a whole body. You can also choose a columbarium , which is a free-standing structure or a wall that contain niches. They are normally large enough for the urn and a few small articles belonging to the deceased.
Most of the time, ashes are scattered in an area that was familiar to your loved one. Some out of the ordinary places might be to scatter from an airplane or while skydiving, if those were interests of the deceased. There have even been a few people who have sent their ashes into space.
If you need a few ideas, take a look at our scattering ashes guide and scattering at sea guide. Placing them in a lovely urn or box and setting it on a mantel is a common choice. Depending on your needs, there are a number of different types of cremation urns:. Otherwise, there are a multitude of ideas, some quite unusual such as having a painting done containing ashes of the deceased. Cremation art is a popular choice among creative minded people. Artists are able to create pieces such as ornaments, decorations, and jewelry, ornaments using the cremains.
For instance, a necklace made with the ashes the hangs close to your heart. Small keepsakes come in a multitude of choices. They are normally small and contain a small amount of the ashes. Cremation diamonds are also a fitting way to memorialize a loved one. The whole cremation process is pretty similar for pets.
Therefore, most of the information we have explained so far also pertains to pets. The loss of a beloved pet can be immensely sorrowful. Laying a pet to rest properly is extremely important for many people. Pets that are most commonly cremated are cats, dogs, and horses.
Nevertheless, smaller animals, such as hamsters, birds, and rabbits are known to be cremated as well. The main difference is that there are three types of cremation for pets.
There may be additional costs, which are usually nominal. These can include picking up the pet outside of business hours or outside a particular driving distance.
You will have to purchase a container for the ashes as well. Be sure to check out pet cremation guide for more information. I am currently planning on behalf of my mother. I know a lot more now about all the cremation process details thanks to you.
Keep up the good work and God bless. Hi James, We are very happy to hear that the information we provided was a big help for you and your family.
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