Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation vs. burial. Cremation is an alternative to earth burial. Cremation is irreversable. A deceased person's body is placed in an appropriate container and then taken to a crematory. Visitation and religious services can follow if desired. Families may choose the type of container with which they are comfortable. We can help with planning a cremation service, as well as any other services.
Many families that choose cremation have the same services and religious rites as those that choose burial or entombment. Cremation as a choice does not prevent that. Studies have demonstrated that having time to say goodbye is healthy, and having a funeral is important to the survivors. Services can be as private as you would like. Others do not wish to view the deceased. They may choose visiting with a closed casket. Some prefer a memorial service without the body present. Many prefer some type of religious service: at the church, funeral home or cemetery. There are as many choices with planning a cremation service as with burial or entombment. At Westchester funeral home, we are always available to help with Cremation Services in Eastchester NY, Westchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Scarsdale, Yonkers, Bronx, White Plains, Hartsdale, Rye, Greenburgh, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Elmsford, Purchase, Mount Vernon, and Harrison.
You will need to decide if you want your loved one to be buried or cremated. Although, with a cremation you can also plan a burial. If you choose to have your loved one buried, you will need to decide if you want to have a viewing with the body present and if you want this viewing to be public or private. You will also need to make arrangements for a cemetery plot.
Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons "is the softening of the Catholic church's views of the practice. For centuries – until 1963, in fact – the church outlawed it. The church's laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past."
He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. "As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one's remains."
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| Our beautiful assortment of urns. |
Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration-of-life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.
You can also be sure that concern for the environment ranks high among many who choose cremation. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the ground water but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.
We are caring cremation experts who promise each family we serve the highest level of:
| Courteous, professional service. |
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Our dedicated staff will take care of all details, including prompt filing of required permits and notifications. Accurate completion of these essential documents not only ensures their acceptance by local or state agencies; it guarantees your loved one's cremation will not be delayed. |
| Respectful care of the deceased and timely completion of cremation process. |
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Your loved one will be attended to by certified crematory operators; each of whom has been trained to provide both compassionate care for the deceased, and conscientious attention to detail throughout the cremation process. |
| Safekeeping and prompt return of cremated remains. |
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We know it's important for the families we serve to know their loved one will be coming home as soon as possible. That's why we promise to notify you as soon as their ashes become available, and safeguard their urn until the time you are ready to receive them. |
| A memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased. |
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There are many advantages to taking some time to remember the life lived, share stories and laugh about all of the memories. Our team can help you plan a fitting memorial service with or without the cremation urn present, at our facility or in a place of your choosing. |
We offer three cremation options; each can be modified to meet your needs:
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Traditional cremation service. These are much like a traditional funeral. The body of the deceased, placed in a specially-selected cremation casket or a rental casket, is the focal point of the service. A visitation can take place prior to the funeral service and the cycle is completed with the cremation rather than a traditional burial. Once the cremation has occurred, the cremated remains are returned to your family. You can then decide to scatter, bury, or retain the cremated remains in an urn. |
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Memorial gathering after the cremation has taken place. This can occur at any time after the cremation process. The urn is usually on display at the service, which can take place in any setting preferred by the family. |
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Direct cremation option. This involves completion of all required paperwork and the transportation of the deceased from the hospital, home, nursing facility, or coroner's office to the crematory. |
If you choose to have your loved one cremated, please remember that you can still have the body present for viewing before the cremation. Many families do not know this option exists and do not get the needed closure to be on their path to healing. You will then need to decide if you would like the cremated remains scattered or kept in an urn or other keepsake. If you're still debating burial vs cremation call us (914) 337-4585 we're here to help.
• Cremation Planning Checklist •
1. Learn about your cremation options. Review the cremation information found on our website. As well as our information on cremation vs burial
2. Engage your family in a discussion. We urge you to bring your family into the conversation to get a better idea about how they feel about cremation and what they would prefer.
3. Speak with a funeral professional. If there are any questions or concerns, please turn to us for the insights you may need at this point.
4. Document your cremation intentions in writing. There are a number of forms we can provide to take this step. Call us at (914) 337-4585 to learn more.
5. Arrange for the transportation of your loved one's physical remains.We can escort them to our facility or directly to the crematory.
6. Consider what kind of ceremony you would like to have. You can plan for a traditional funeral followed by the cremation or delay the ceremony until you have the time to plan a memorial service, celebration-of-life, or scattering ceremony.
7. Ask for assistance from your family and friends. When making plans for a meaningful event, encourage everyone to get involved. Ask them to gather family photos, write down the stories they'd like to share, and talk to them about the best location for the event. If you would like a eulogy, this is the time to ask someone special to take on that task.
8. Select the music, prayers, or other readings. You don't have to have any of these things but you should decide exactly what you and your guests will do at this event. There are endless possibilities.
9. Contact guests well ahead of time. This is especially important if they will need to travel or request time off from work.
10. Decide what will be done with the cremated remains. Commonly the urn is a visual focal point of a celebration-of-life. Will you then take it home? Will the scattering of ashes be a part of the event? You may want to purchase keepsake urns for family members.
We've had years of experience serving many families, so we understand and respect your decisions. Not only that, we will take all the time you may need to make an informed decision. We want you to know that no matter your reasons for choosing cremation, we're here to help you explore your options. When you're ready, call us at (914) 337-4585 to set an appointment or simply drop by our office. You can also send us an email via our online contact us form.
Online Sources:
Mathisen, Tyler, "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry".