Funeral Information

Embalming

Embalming is not required by any religion and is not required for most funerals. The procedure is relatively expensive (~$1000) and puts approximately 3,300 tons of toxic chemicals (formaldehyde) in the ground each year.  Thus, we usually recommend against embalming.

 

Embalming flushes a chemical (formaldehyde) through the deceased’s arteries and veins to preserve the body. Access to the arteries and veins is usually made through an incision in the groin. Embalming preserves the body, but not forever; decay will eventually take place.

 

Embalming is required in circumstances such as:

  • When ordered by the medical examiner due to communicable diseases
  • When ordered by the medical examiner to locate distant relatives
  • When to deceased's remains are planned to be shipped by air
  • When an open casket is desired (in most states)

Embalming is prohibited in Judaism and Islam.

 

If embalming is not performed, most funeral home directors charge a small fee to clean the body prior to placing the deceased in the casket.


Coffins, caskets and other burial containers

Coffins are the 6-sided burial containers that were commonly used in the 1800s (See image below). The meaning of the word coffin relates to the how the burial container is made and the fact that it is designed to hold a deceased person. A coffin can be made of many different types of materials from cardboard to rare hardwoods. 


 

 There are groups of people who make coffins as a hobby for themselves and for indigent people. The following reference is a wonderful article regarding homemade coffins.

Full story: http://narrative.ly/these-elderly-diyers-came-to-peace-with-death-by-crafting-their-own-coffins/

 

Caskets are more modern-looking burial containers like the one pictured below. 

 

Caskets (the word means “jewel box”) can be made of wood, metal (steel, copper, and bronze), and fiberglass.  Caskets serve the same purpose the coffins do; they are just more expensive. If burial is desired, we recommend the least expensive burial container available. You can even rent a casket and bury the body in a less expensive container.

 

Sealer caskets are designed to keep groundwater out of the casket, but their effectiveness is debated. If absolute protection is desired, you should consider placing the burial container in a crypt in a mausoleum or in an underground vault. We do not recommend sealer caskets, crypts or vaults as they are expensive and do not preserve the body forever.

 

Green or biodegradable burial containers are also available – from cardboard to wicker containers to biodegradable soft-sided containers.

 

Federal law requires funeral homes use any legal container provided by the deceased's family. You do not have to buy a casket from the funeral home. With our help, caskets can be purchased from wholesale casket dealers at a significant discount to the retail prices at the funeral home. The caskets are then shipped overnight. 

Cremation

Religious acceptance of cremation is an important factor for many when considering the final disposition for themselves or a loved one. Although cremation accounts for 40% of all funerals in the U.S. (but can be as high as 75% in some locations), some religions forbid the practice.

 

Religions that ban cremation include Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Neo-Confucianism and Zoroastrianism. 

 

The Catholic Church allows cremation.  The 1983 Code of Canon Law (1176.3) says "The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching." It is recommended that cremation is delayed until after the funeral service.  If a person is cremated, the Catholic Church strongly recommends that the remains be kept in an urn and then buried where the remains are protected.

 

Most Christian Protestant denominations allow cremation. If a person is cremated, the remains may be kept by the family, enshrined, buried, or scattered.

 

Buddhism views cremation as an acceptable practice. After cremation, the remains may be kept by the family, enshrined or scattered.

 

Hinduism mandates cremation as part of their last rite of "anti-sanskar". Holy men and children are exempted from the cremation requirement.  After cremation the remains are scattered back into the environment.

 

 

Grave liners and vaults

A grave liner is a 4-sided reinforced concrete structure that holds the sides of the grave in place during the burial process and after the casket or coffin decays. Grave liners help decrease future cemetery costs by limiting the amount of grave maintenance, but these maintenance costs are supposed to be covered by the cemetery endowment fund. Grave liners are expensive (usually more than $1500) and totally unnecessary.  We do not recommend purchasing grave liners.

 

Vaults are 6-sided reinforced concrete boxes that hold a casket or urn. Vaults are designed to keep groundwater away from the casket so that it and the deceased's remains are protected for a prolonged period of time.  Vaults are very expensive and, in our opinion, totally unnecessary. We do not recommend purchasing burial vaults.