Is it weird going to a funeral of someone that chose cremation over a buriel?

Question

I don't know .... well it seems to me that a funeral where someone lays to rest--you see them deceased in body form, and it is like a more complete closure because you witness them dead.
But if you saw them alive, then to witness them in ashes in the wind, it doesn't 'seem real'--you know what I mean?
Perhaps either way feels surreal?
I know death is a touchy subject, and never have asked these questions b4. Only experienced two deaths, Grandfathers
What is a cremation funeral like that you attended? [aside from being sad of course]

Answer 1

No, been to both, the ceremony & rituals are the same. The only difference is the size of the box and hole (or slot in the wall).

Answer 2

Cremation doesn't necessarily mean that there's no opportunity to pay one's respects. It's very common to have a "visitation" at a funeral home, with the deceased in a casket, for folks to come to pay their respects as well as spend a few minutes comforting the family, with the funeral or memorial service at a place of worship on the following day. Or the entire funeral service is done there at the funeral home. In either case, the deceased is cremated after all the services are complete. There are many options, including immediate cremation and a memorial service without the body present. Just depends on what the family wishes to do -- and the customs or requirements of their religious faith, if any.

Answer 3

Hi Deirdre Faith,
Death is a very touchy subject,
and I have found, the hard way,
the important thing is to remember the
person at its best, but most importantly
to respect and honor the person´s wishes.

Closure is a great responsibility which
we need to handle ourselves, with or
without help, so again, whether it be an
open casket, or ashes in the wind, the
essence of the person that was, is what you need
to concentrate on and pay respect to.

Does this help some?

I liked your question as you approached a
touchy subject in a very genuine way, so try
finding the 'closures' the same way.

All the best.

Answer 4

No, people still need closure of the lost of a loved one. I've never attended a cremation funeral before, but maybe you could look at it more like a memorial since you're not seeing that person being laid to rest.

Answer 5

Emotions aside, the events are the same, only the cost is different.

Cremation is more efficient, less costly, and saves space. I have made it known that I want to be cremated in order to save my family the cost of a burial. I do NOT need a $3,000 coffin, because I would be dead and could care less that I was buried a coffin lined in gold. Death is death.... time to mourn and then move on with the living.

Answer 6

No.. it is the same as you go to burial ceremony.
Long before humans adopted different ways of disposing their dead. In areas where wood was abundant cremation was adopted and in deserts burial was adopted. Also different religions advocated these ways.
After cremation the ashes are scattered over the ground or flown down the river. Either way it is to where he has come from.
In grief all people come together, even the stone hearted.
In our part of he world, these two ways are common.

Answer 7

No different whatsoever. The coffin gets wheeled through a curtain after the service and that's the end of it although at the last one I went to the coffin just remained on the altar until everyone had left. The ash scattering is done at a later date usually by just family or very close friends.

Answer 8

Cremation in the proper way is most hygienic and scientific way especially for the humans who by far have the worst and diverse diseases then any other animal and or plant. Further it is good to put the ashes at a designated place and not every where again for scientific reasons as certain disease producing elements such as prions and of spongy form neuroencephalopathy are hard to destroy, scattering them every where and any where in the universe defeats the good preventive medicine practice.

Answer 9

'Ashes to ashes and dust to dust' to quote Biblical scripture. Several religions prefer the funeral pyre. Eventually we will all be reduced to our crudest elements. When I attend a funeral it is to remember the best of the person I knew and loved and to make that last goodbye. The person I knew has already departed his/her earthly form. It doesn't matter to me what happens to the left behind body as long as it is not desecrated. But for myself I already have this nifty plot in the cemetery.

Answer 10

I honestly don't have any preference. Either way the soul has left the body, and how the body is disposed of is really of no matter.

The following usually said when the ashes are placed upon one's head during a Ash Wednesday service:

"From ashes we came, to ashes we shall return."

Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:6 (ASV)

Answer 11

Seeing my grandfather's ashes being poured into the San Francisco Bay was pretty much closure. Not weird at all.

I wish to be cremated one day. no sense taking up valuable space after I'm dead.