Cremation Services

 Overview of Cremation

The number of people choosing cremation has increased in the past few years in various parts of the country, yet cremation carries a long tradition and remains largely unchanged.

What can be different these days is how the family includes cremation into the services, whether it is a new choice for the family, or a longstanding tradition for them. What is done before or after the cremation is up to the survivors, or up to you. Maybe the cremation takes place first, before a memorial service or Celebration of Life gathering. Or the cremation can take place after a wake and funeral service. If you are considering cremation, we suggest you discuss these ideas with your family, then, discuss them with your funeral director. You can relieve the burden of these decisions by pre-planning your arrangements in advance of need so that your wishes will be honored accurately.

Contrary to what some people believe, cremation does not limit choices, but, in fact, increases one’s options. It is a process which is performed in a respectful and dignified manner and can be memorialized in many ways.

Connors Funeral Home also has it's own on-site crematory. We feel this will provide the families we serve a greater peace of mind when cremation is chosen. With our on-site facility, our own staff will have complete control over the entire arrangement process. Our crematory has a witnessing window and a chapel for small ceremonies.  To learn more about this location, you can read about Connors Funeral Home.

 Cremation and Funerals

Choosing cremation neither eliminates nor does it require a funeral service. Traditional or contemporary services are often planned before or after the cremation process. A funeral service followed by cremation may be exactly the same as a funeral service followed by ground burial. They can be elaborate or simple and traditional or nontraditional. Arrangements and ceremonies tend to be as individual as the persons for whom and by whom they are made. They may be personalized specifically to reflect the life of the deceased, and thus have a special meaning. Memorial Funeral Homes is able to assist in any and all of your Funeral Service needs, due in large part because we own and operate our own crematory. To obtain more information on cremation funeral services click here or call 401-846-0698.

A Funeral Service with cremation may be arranged no differently than one with a casket burial. Often a service will be will be just like a burial service except the cremation process will follow the ceremony or funeral, instead of proceeding directly to a cemetery for a casketed burial. This can be accommodated by the use of a cremation casket (casket that is designed to be cremated) or the use of a rental casket. Following the viewing, service or ceremony, and eventual cremation, the cremated remains can be buried, properly scattered, or returned to the family for safe keeping. Urns are used to hold the cremated remains. Urns can be constructed out of basic materials like cardboard or plastic, or constructed out of more protective materials like basic and semi-precious metals, ceramics, and woods.

Memorial Services are a ceremony or organized service without the urn or casket present. This is often chosen by families who do not want to include a public viewing or wake, and may not have a religious need to bring the casket to church.

Graveside Services are just the same for a casket as they are for an urn. The family will gather at a family cemetery lot for a ceremony at the time of the burial. Some cremation services are no longer at a cemetery lot, but are actually a service at the scattering of the remains, held on a boat, on a mountainside, or other special place.

 Importance of Memorialization

Memorialization provides a permanent place for family members and descendants to honor the lives of the deceased.

Cremation allows families many choices for memorializing a loved one. Some families choose to keep the cremated remains with them at home, to scatter the remains over land or water, or bury them in a cemetery lot. Depending on the final placement of the cremated remains, different memorialization choices can be made. Memorial Funeral Homes allows the following memorialization options, among others, for cremated remains:

OUTDOOR NICHES - The cremated remains of your loved ones may be safely held in an above ground columbarium niches, often on the grounds of a cemetery or church.

SCATTERING – Your loved one’s remains may be scattered freely within a dedicated, natural environment. There are many different options and ideas for scattering in the sea, on land, or into the sky among the stars. This choice should be discussed with the funeral director, as there may be local restrictions or property concerns related to the scattering.

TRADITIONAL BURIAL – In ground burial in a family plot, can be a bridge to previous generations’ traditions, and gives the family a permanent place to visit and reflect upon the deceased.

PERSONALIZED MEMORIALIZATION – Inscribe your family member’s name and a special saying on a tree plaque, park bench or keepsake jewelry, a garden stone, other special memorial. We also have custom, unique urns and keepsakes, perfect for displaying inside your home. For an overview of these items, please visit our Merchandise pages, or contact us directly and we will help you with your needs.