Cremation Archives • Blog | Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service

What To Consider When Choosing Between Cremation or Burial

When planning ahead for end-of-life preparations, or making arrangements following the loss of a loved one, many families struggle with choosing between cremation or a traditional burial. Here are some things to consider that may help make the choice easier.

The Difference Between Cremation and Burial

Both cremation and burial practices have been in existence for centuries as a method of final disposition. During the cremation process, a body is incinerated until all that remains is ash. Whereas during a burial, the body is allowed to naturally decompose over time. Both are common and safe methods of handling remains.

With burials, the body may be interred in the ground or entombed in a mausoleum above ground. Bodies are embalmed before being placed in a casket. At Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service, we require caskets to be enclosed in a burial vault to prevent the ground from sinking.

Cremated remains, on the other hand, can be kept in an urn, scattered in a way that is meaningful to the deceased, placed in a columbarium, interred in the ground, or entombed in a mausoleum. Some religious practices may require that the cremated remains are kept together and stored or displayed in an approved location.

Both cremation and burial processes can take place at any time. For example, shortly after the deceased has passed away, after a traditional funeral service has taken place, or before a memorial service.

Consider the Deceased’s Wishes and Religious Affiliation

The choice between cremation or burial is often deeply personal. For example, some families prefer to choose burial out of a desire to show respect for their loved one’s body. Other families feel that allowing the body to decay has the opposite impact. This is why making pre-planning arrangements and having these conversations with family members is often so important.

Many religions have differing views on cremation and burials. The Roman Catholic Church has stated that bodies may be cremated, but the ashes must be buried in a cemetery or sacred location. Some Christian denominations (incl. Baptist and the Eastern Orthodox Church) do not support cremation, while others such as the Methodist Seventh-Day Adventists and Lutheran churches do. Judaism has traditionally recommended against cremation, although some sects have relaxed their stance over the years.

Alternatively, cremation is a required practice for some Eastern religions (Hinduism and Buddhism). Sikhs tend to prefer cremation, but do not prohibit burial, while Muslim cultures forbid cremation.

Additional Factors to Consider

Religious beliefs and personal preference are perhaps some of the most important things to consider when choosing between cremation and burial. However, there are other things to keep in mind as well, such as cost and environmental impact. Cremation is typically a more cost-effective service compared to burial.

When it comes to the environment, there are different points of view. The cremation process results in high emissions; however, burials require a significantly larger footprint of land.

Still struggling to choose? We understand, and we’re here to help. Our professional team can walk you through the pre-planning process, one step at a time, and help you choose the options that work best for you. Visit our website to learn more about our services, or call (800) 207-3530 for one-on-one assistance.

How to Make a Cremation Service Meaningful

How to Make a Cremation Service Meaningful

Many Culpeper and Fredericksburg families believe if they choose cremation, they will not be able to have a funeral service that is meaningful and tells the story of their loved one’s life. Of course, this is not true when a family chooses Found and Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service. Funeral traditions are constantly changing and evolving over time, and families are now discovering that cremation is a dignified form of commemoration, when you choose an experienced funeral home that cares about your family.

As traditions change, we are always developing new and meaningful ways to honor and memorialize the life that was lived. Attitudes toward what is “appropriate” during a funeral have generally broadened, and that means we can offer families new personalized choices and unique forms of tribute and remembrance. However, families who have lost a loved one sometimes find these choices overwhelming. We can help. The best place to start is by making a list of your loved one’s interests, hobbies, accomplishments, as well as faith and cultural traditions.

What is important if you choose cremation is that you still plan a meaningful farewell. Many experts agree this is an important step in the grieving process. When you choose cremation, you may still have a visitation, memorial service, traditional funeral service, graveside observance, and many other comforting and healing rituals. And you can personalize cremation services with vaults, caskets, and urns that bear emblems and engravings denoting religious affiliation, hobbies, special interests, and/or military or civic service.

There is one other important aspect of cremation that you may wish to keep in mind. Some people have concerns about whether or not their loved one will be treated with dignity throughout the process. Since families in the Culpeper and Fredericksburg area know and trust the Found and Sons name, they can rest assured knowing we will make sure the loved one is treated with dignity and respect and that the cremation process meets our highest standards of ethics, performance, and professionalism. Our personal involvement assures that we receive superior service on a consistent basis.

When you choose cremation, ask these important questions: What kind of memorial services are available? What are the choices for personalization, and telling the story of the life that has been lived? And most importantly, what measures does the funeral home take to guard the dignity of the cremation process? We are committed to preserving the dignity of your loved one. And that’s the best assurance of all.

The Many Options That Come with Cremation

The Many Options That Come with Cremation

Years ago, there was one factor that kept many families from considering cremation when they were planning a funeral: People used to believe that if they chose cremation they could not have a funeral service, or if they did, it wouldn’t be as meaningful as it might be with traditional burial. When you choose Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Being a part of the diverse community of Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia, our ability to personalize a funeral service with the individual’s culture, values, and personality is critical to our ability to serve your family. When families come to Found and Sons, they discover that cremation is, indeed, a dignified and meaningful form of memorialization.

As traditions change, we develop new and meaningful ways to honor and commemorate our loved ones. Our attitudes toward what is “appropriate” during a funeral become much broader, and that means we can offer families new choices and new forms of tribute and remembrance. However, families who have lost a loved one sometimes find the choices a bit bewildering. They might also need help sparking creative ideas. Our expert team can help.

In the past, some people also viewed cremation only as a way to save money on funeral costs. But now, families who do choose cremation are discovering that dignified and touching services are available to help them honor and commemorate their loved one. When you choose cremation, you may still have a visitation, memorial service, traditional funeral service, graveside observance, and many other comforting and healing rituals. And you can personalize cremation services with vaults, caskets, and urns that bear emblems and engravings denoting religious affiliation, hobbies and special interests, and military or civic service.

You can trust that we accept nothing less than excellence at Found and Sons. We use a crematory service that rises to the level of our high standards of ethics, performance, and professionalism. We always ensure our families that while the cremation process takes place, our paramount concern is preserving the dignity of the person who has died.

When you choose cremation, ask these important questions:

1.) What kind of memorial services are available?

2.) What are the choices for personalization and telling the story of the life that has been lived?

3.) Most importantly, what measures does the funeral home take to guard the dignity of the process? We assure you of our unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity of your loved one.

Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service is, and will remain the most trusted funeral home servicing Fredericksburg and Culpeper families. And when it comes to cremation, that’s the best assurance of all.