Cremation Laws - Cultural and Other Guidelines for Cremation
In a time when most industries are fairly heavily regulated, cremation laws and the funeral industry are still fairly loose and there are very few federal regulations surrounding the way that the industry conducts business.
There are state and county laws that differ depending where you live and they address everything from the proper way to handle death certificates to the manner in way cremations are conducted.
Nearly all states require that a body be cremated in a container to prevent contamination outside of the cremation chamber before the body is cremated.
Cremation laws such as these do not specify the type of container, so there is no need for a traditional casket for the process.
If you opt for a direct cremation, the crematory will provide a container made from thin wood or cardboard.
Again, this does not apply to all states, so be sure to check the cremation laws in your state before you proceed.
Some of the other, more regulated, cremation laws concern scattering a loved one's cremains.
Though there is no pollution resulting from spreading ashes other than the act itself, many National and State Parks either require a permit or expressly prohibit spreading cremains on their property.
If you decide to bury your loved one's cremains on your property, you must disclose this fact to any potential buyers if you decide to sell your home.
You must also make certain that the cremains are buried at least three feet below the surface.
The only relatively unregulated area for scattering cremains is bodies of water, but you should always check with local offices before scattering ashes at sea or other body of water to avoid being fined.
Cremation is a process of disposing of human remains that has been used for millennia.
Many funeral traditions involve burning the deceased's body, many times on a pyre for friends and family to witness.
So, it's not only governmental cremation laws that lead people to choose or reject cremation, there are cultural and religious reasons as well.
Several religions expressly forbid cremation and this includes Orthodox Judaism and Islam as well as some Eastern Orthodox and Fundamental Christian sects.
While each person can make their own decisions with regard to his or her own wishes, these religions don't consider cremation to be a proper burial.
In fact, Jewish cremation laws tell the family of the deceased to ignore any requests for cremation made by their loved one and to make arrangements to have the body buried in a Jewish cemetery.
Of course, culturally, cremation has relatively no taboo any longer and some people view it as a much more eco-conscious way to have their remains handled after their death.
As cremation gains greater popularity among cultures and countries, there will likely be the addition of more cremation laws, but for now, it is always best to consult a funeral director or your local government offices regarding regulations.
There are state and county laws that differ depending where you live and they address everything from the proper way to handle death certificates to the manner in way cremations are conducted.
Nearly all states require that a body be cremated in a container to prevent contamination outside of the cremation chamber before the body is cremated.
Cremation laws such as these do not specify the type of container, so there is no need for a traditional casket for the process.
If you opt for a direct cremation, the crematory will provide a container made from thin wood or cardboard.
Again, this does not apply to all states, so be sure to check the cremation laws in your state before you proceed.
Some of the other, more regulated, cremation laws concern scattering a loved one's cremains.
Though there is no pollution resulting from spreading ashes other than the act itself, many National and State Parks either require a permit or expressly prohibit spreading cremains on their property.
If you decide to bury your loved one's cremains on your property, you must disclose this fact to any potential buyers if you decide to sell your home.
You must also make certain that the cremains are buried at least three feet below the surface.
The only relatively unregulated area for scattering cremains is bodies of water, but you should always check with local offices before scattering ashes at sea or other body of water to avoid being fined.
Cremation is a process of disposing of human remains that has been used for millennia.
Many funeral traditions involve burning the deceased's body, many times on a pyre for friends and family to witness.
So, it's not only governmental cremation laws that lead people to choose or reject cremation, there are cultural and religious reasons as well.
Several religions expressly forbid cremation and this includes Orthodox Judaism and Islam as well as some Eastern Orthodox and Fundamental Christian sects.
While each person can make their own decisions with regard to his or her own wishes, these religions don't consider cremation to be a proper burial.
In fact, Jewish cremation laws tell the family of the deceased to ignore any requests for cremation made by their loved one and to make arrangements to have the body buried in a Jewish cemetery.
Of course, culturally, cremation has relatively no taboo any longer and some people view it as a much more eco-conscious way to have their remains handled after their death.
As cremation gains greater popularity among cultures and countries, there will likely be the addition of more cremation laws, but for now, it is always best to consult a funeral director or your local government offices regarding regulations.