Cons of Cremation

Funeral urns are sometimes used to hold cremated remains.

The death of a loved one can be an emotional time for all involved, but loved ones may still need to make serious decisions about the deceased's funeral arrangements. Cremation is one choice that renders the deceased's remains in the form of ashes. Yet, when it comes to cremation there are cons that can vary from personal choice to religious matters. In the end, the decision must be right for the family.

No Final Resting Place

Often bodies that are cremated do not have a final resting place. Instead, the remains are kept in urns or scattered into the natural environment. This can lead to uncertainty about the location of a deceased and may be upsetting to family members who wish to visit the site of their loved one's remains.

Closure

Sometimes, when a loved one dies family members benefit emotionally from the closure of seeing a body interred. A final burial service can be a cathartic experience and allow loved ones to say final farewells to the deceased. Cremation may not be preferable for families who desire the closure of a burial service.

Religious Beliefs

In some faiths, cremation is discouraged due to certain beliefs concerning the state of the body. For example, Catholicism believes in bodily resurrection and it discourages the practice because cremation destroys the body. Therefore, resurrection is impossible. Families and individuals who have strong religious convictions may desire burial of the intact body.

Weight

Size can be a problem in cremation if the deceased is overweight. In these rare cases, the crematorium may not be large enough to accommodate the individual's body. For most individuals, this is not a problem, but these scenarios can cause additional emotional distress to loved ones. This possibility should be considered when planning funerals arrangements.

Legal Evidence

In rare cases, some bodies are exhumed for legal purposes. Past legal cases may be reopened due to advances in evidence collection or new case leads. The bodies of individuals involved in these cases may be needed, but cremation negates any possibility of future reexamination.

References

• New York State Planning Attorney: The Pros and Cons of Funeral Cremation
• Casket Stores: Q & A Funeral Planning