Options for Cremation Memorials
This article is published by the Cremation Association of North America to provide information
and express the views of its members. CANA members are pledged to further the high
standards of the cremation service, to present the concept of cremation on the highest level of
integrity and to emphasize the importance of proper
memorialization.
Memorialization a time-honored tradition
Memorialization is a time-honored tradition that has been practiced by caring people through
the centuries. As
survivors we care about and want to remember those who precede us in death. Memorialization
helps us to
remember and to be remembered.
Selecting and establishing a permanent memorial for a family member or loved one not only
satisfies an
immediate need, but it also fulfills the need to preserve our heritage. Memorials are stepping-
stones to the
past, and to the future. They link the generations.
Cremation preparation for memorialization
Many people mistakenly believe that the process of cremation – reducing human remains to
bone fragments –
is an end in itself, but it is not. Cremation is preparation for memorialization just as is traditional
burial. In fact,
the options for the final disposition of cremated remains and the subsequent memorials used to
honor them
are many and varied.
Cremation Memorials making the selection
It is never too soon to set up a visual symbol in beautiful surroundings that will perpetuate
cherished
memories. But beautiful memorials don't just happen. They require forethought and planning.
Many families make their memorial selections in advance so that decision-making can be done
together and
can be eliminated during a time of stress. But whether a memorial purchase is made prior to
need or at the
time of need, you will want to be familiar with the many cremation memorial options that are
available.
Columbarium Niche
A columbarium is an indoor or outdoor wall containing niches. A niche is defined as a recessed
compartment
designed to hold cremation urns. Columbariums may be an entire building, a room, a wall along
a corridor or a
series of special alcoves or halls in a mausoleum, chapel, or other buildings located in a
cemetery or on other
dedicated property. Niches come in many sizes with a selection of fronts such as glass, marble,
bronze,
granite or mosaic. Glass fronts may be clear, tinted, frosted or etched. Some columbarium
niches are
designed for specific size cremation urns while others may contain a double size space for two
urns or even
larger niches for multiple cremation urns. Some clear glass fronted niches allow meaningful
memorabilia to
be placed inside along with the urn.
The Urn Garden
Many cemeteries or memorial parks have areas designated specifically for the interment of
cremated remains.
These areas are called Urn Gardens and are set aside for those who desire ground or above-
ground
interment. Some gardens offer individual urn burial plots that will accommodate a marker.
Others offer
unmarked areas for interment of the urn, with adjacent walls or sculptures for memorial plaques.
Check with your cemetery or memorial park on the types of permanent memorialization they
offer for garden
interment of cremated remains.
Family Plot
If you already own a burial plot or have a space in a family lot, you may choose to inter the
cremation urn there.
Cemeteries often permit the interment of the cremated remains of more than one person in a
single adult
space. Or if you wish to be interred in a family plot, but do not want ground interment, there are
monuments
available to house the cremated remains. These monuments can be used for those who have
chosen
cremation or in combination with family members who have chosen casketed burial.
Grave site committal of the urn is available and some cemeteries require that the urn be placed
in an urn vault
for interment.
There are a wide variety of markers and monuments available but you should check your
cemetery's rules
before purchasing your memorial. The monument or marker you select will be a lasting
genealogical record for
the generations of your family and a lasting symbol of the special life you want to remember and
commemorate.
The Scattering Garden
In recent years some cemeteries have opened areas to scatter cremated remains. Called
Scattering Gardens,
they provide choices for personal memorialization within this dedicated property. Often
individuals whose
remains have been scattered in the garden are identified on a special memorial plaque, wall or
unique work of
art on which the names are inscribed. Some cemeteries also have benches on which a plaque
may be
attached or a living memorial, such as a tree, where a plaque may be placed in front of it. Some
cemeteries
offer memorializing an individual with an entry in a Book of Memories or Remembrance located
in a chapel or
mausoleum on the cemetery grounds. These entries, beautifully executed in calligraphy and
often illuminated
in the manner of ancient manuscripts, provide a personal lasting tribute.
The scattering of cremated remains also may be done at a designated geographical spot on
land or in water in
accordance with federal, state/provincial or local laws. If scattering is done, it is recommended
that
arrangements also be made for a permanent memorial that will provide a place of pilgrimage for
those who
want to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one.
Cremation Urns
Urns for the permanent containment of cremated remains come in a variety of sizes, styles and
materials. In
fact, there are urns to satisfy every taste, requirement and, as well as, every budget.
You may select a bronze cremation urns, pewter cremation urns, marble cremation urns,
ceramic cremation
urns,or hardwood cremation urns. They are also available in porcelain, ceramic, stone, hand-
blown glass and
cloisonné. Urns range in size from single to multiple capacity, and in styling from the traditional
book shape
and classic Grecian design to novel creations and decorative art pieces and can be
personalized to depict an
individual's hobby or special interest. Some cremation urn designs have a matching picture
frame to display a
photo of the individual being memorialized.
Keepsake Options
Many cremation urns are also produced in smaller versions to hold a small portion of the
remains. These are
referred to as Keepsake Urns. They are especially appropriate when only a portion of the
cremated remains
are to be scattered or when families choose to divide the cremated remains among family
members.
Other innovative options available are: Decorative pendants, known as Keepsake jewelry, are
available in a
number of styles and are designed to hold a small portion of cremated remains; Memorial Glass
sculptures
where a portion of the cremated remains are permanently embedded in the glass of these fine
art pieces; and
Memorial Tablets where the cremated remains are integrated into a granite-like material suitable
for placement
in a cemetery, church memorial garden, or placed in the ground.
Presentation Urns
Presentation cremation urns, which are large enough to hold a temporary urn, are also
available for use at a
memorial or religious service, when a family is undecided as to the final disposition of the
cremated remains.
With so many beautiful and unique cremation urns available, you may have difficulty in making a
selection. But
before making a final decision, it must be decided where the cremated remains will be placed. If
it is going to
be placed in a columbarium niche, what size and shape urn can it accommodate? Will it be
interred in an
cremation urn garden or family plot? Do you need an urn vault? Does your cemetery or
columbarium require a
specific type of urn be used? These are some of the things you should take into consideration
before you make
your selection.
Cremation Memorial – the lasting tribute
Although the selection of a cremation memorial may be time-consuming and require some
important decision-
making, once it has been accomplished it will give you and the generations that follow much
satisfaction.
Permanent memorialization not only provides a lasting tribute to a loved one, but also gives
peace of mind and
a place of pilgrimage. Caring about and remembering others are what life and memorializing are
all about.
Published by CANA – Cremation Associaion of North America – www.cremationassociation.org
This article is published by the Cremation Association of North America to provide information
and express the views of its members. CANA members are pledged to further the high
standards of the cremation service, to present the concept of cremation on the highest level of
integrity and to emphasize the importance of proper
memorialization.
Memorialization a time-honored tradition
Memorialization is a time-honored tradition that has been practiced by caring people through
the centuries. As
survivors we care about and want to remember those who precede us in death. Memorialization
helps us to
remember and to be remembered.
Selecting and establishing a permanent memorial for a family member or loved one not only
satisfies an
immediate need, but it also fulfills the need to preserve our heritage. Memorials are stepping-
stones to the
past, and to the future. They link the generations.
Cremation preparation for memorialization
Many people mistakenly believe that the process of cremation – reducing human remains to
bone fragments –
is an end in itself, but it is not. Cremation is preparation for memorialization just as is traditional
burial. In fact,
the options for the final disposition of cremated remains and the subsequent memorials used to
honor them
are many and varied.
Cremation Memorials making the selection
It is never too soon to set up a visual symbol in beautiful surroundings that will perpetuate
cherished
memories. But beautiful memorials don't just happen. They require forethought and planning.
Many families make their memorial selections in advance so that decision-making can be done
together and
can be eliminated during a time of stress. But whether a memorial purchase is made prior to
need or at the
time of need, you will want to be familiar with the many cremation memorial options that are
available.
Columbarium Niche
A columbarium is an indoor or outdoor wall containing niches. A niche is defined as a recessed
compartment
designed to hold cremation urns. Columbariums may be an entire building, a room, a wall along
a corridor or a
series of special alcoves or halls in a mausoleum, chapel, or other buildings located in a
cemetery or on other
dedicated property. Niches come in many sizes with a selection of fronts such as glass, marble,
bronze,
granite or mosaic. Glass fronts may be clear, tinted, frosted or etched. Some columbarium
niches are
designed for specific size cremation urns while others may contain a double size space for two
urns or even
larger niches for multiple cremation urns. Some clear glass fronted niches allow meaningful
memorabilia to
be placed inside along with the urn.
The Urn Garden
Many cemeteries or memorial parks have areas designated specifically for the interment of
cremated remains.
These areas are called Urn Gardens and are set aside for those who desire ground or above-
ground
interment. Some gardens offer individual urn burial plots that will accommodate a marker.
Others offer
unmarked areas for interment of the urn, with adjacent walls or sculptures for memorial plaques.
Check with your cemetery or memorial park on the types of permanent memorialization they
offer for garden
interment of cremated remains.
Family Plot
If you already own a burial plot or have a space in a family lot, you may choose to inter the
cremation urn there.
Cemeteries often permit the interment of the cremated remains of more than one person in a
single adult
space. Or if you wish to be interred in a family plot, but do not want ground interment, there are
monuments
available to house the cremated remains. These monuments can be used for those who have
chosen
cremation or in combination with family members who have chosen casketed burial.
Grave site committal of the urn is available and some cemeteries require that the urn be placed
in an urn vault
for interment.
There are a wide variety of markers and monuments available but you should check your
cemetery's rules
before purchasing your memorial. The monument or marker you select will be a lasting
genealogical record for
the generations of your family and a lasting symbol of the special life you want to remember and
commemorate.
The Scattering Garden
In recent years some cemeteries have opened areas to scatter cremated remains. Called
Scattering Gardens,
they provide choices for personal memorialization within this dedicated property. Often
individuals whose
remains have been scattered in the garden are identified on a special memorial plaque, wall or
unique work of
art on which the names are inscribed. Some cemeteries also have benches on which a plaque
may be
attached or a living memorial, such as a tree, where a plaque may be placed in front of it. Some
cemeteries
offer memorializing an individual with an entry in a Book of Memories or Remembrance located
in a chapel or
mausoleum on the cemetery grounds. These entries, beautifully executed in calligraphy and
often illuminated
in the manner of ancient manuscripts, provide a personal lasting tribute.
The scattering of cremated remains also may be done at a designated geographical spot on
land or in water in
accordance with federal, state/provincial or local laws. If scattering is done, it is recommended
that
arrangements also be made for a permanent memorial that will provide a place of pilgrimage for
those who
want to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one.
Cremation Urns
Urns for the permanent containment of cremated remains come in a variety of sizes, styles and
materials. In
fact, there are urns to satisfy every taste, requirement and, as well as, every budget.
You may select a bronze cremation urns, pewter cremation urns, marble cremation urns,
ceramic cremation
urns,or hardwood cremation urns. They are also available in porcelain, ceramic, stone, hand-
blown glass and
cloisonné. Urns range in size from single to multiple capacity, and in styling from the traditional
book shape
and classic Grecian design to novel creations and decorative art pieces and can be
personalized to depict an
individual's hobby or special interest. Some cremation urn designs have a matching picture
frame to display a
photo of the individual being memorialized.
Keepsake Options
Many cremation urns are also produced in smaller versions to hold a small portion of the
remains. These are
referred to as Keepsake Urns. They are especially appropriate when only a portion of the
cremated remains
are to be scattered or when families choose to divide the cremated remains among family
members.
Other innovative options available are: Decorative pendants, known as Keepsake jewelry, are
available in a
number of styles and are designed to hold a small portion of cremated remains; Memorial Glass
sculptures
where a portion of the cremated remains are permanently embedded in the glass of these fine
art pieces; and
Memorial Tablets where the cremated remains are integrated into a granite-like material suitable
for placement
in a cemetery, church memorial garden, or placed in the ground.
Presentation Urns
Presentation cremation urns, which are large enough to hold a temporary urn, are also
available for use at a
memorial or religious service, when a family is undecided as to the final disposition of the
cremated remains.
With so many beautiful and unique cremation urns available, you may have difficulty in making a
selection. But
before making a final decision, it must be decided where the cremated remains will be placed. If
it is going to
be placed in a columbarium niche, what size and shape urn can it accommodate? Will it be
interred in an
cremation urn garden or family plot? Do you need an urn vault? Does your cemetery or
columbarium require a
specific type of urn be used? These are some of the things you should take into consideration
before you make
your selection.
Cremation Memorial – the lasting tribute
Although the selection of a cremation memorial may be time-consuming and require some
important decision-
making, once it has been accomplished it will give you and the generations that follow much
satisfaction.
Permanent memorialization not only provides a lasting tribute to a loved one, but also gives
peace of mind and
a place of pilgrimage. Caring about and remembering others are what life and memorializing are
all about.
Published by CANA – Cremation Associaion of North America – www.cremationassociation.org
Cremation Monuments and Memorials
Cremation Remains Distribution
History of Cremation Urns
How to Choose a Cremation Urn Size
Information on Grief
Memorial Epitaphs
Companion Cremation Urns Information
Cremation Memorials Options
Scattering Cremation Remains
Shipping Information
Site Map
Cremation Urns and Travel
Cremation Remains Distribution
History of Cremation Urns
How to Choose a Cremation Urn Size
Information on Grief
Memorial Epitaphs
Companion Cremation Urns Information
Cremation Memorials Options
Scattering Cremation Remains
Shipping Information
Site Map
Cremation Urns and Travel
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