Choosing cremation for your loved one is a deeply personal choice that may be based on his or her wishes or based on your family's traditions. You can choose between traditional cremation, which typically involves holding a wake and funeral service before cremation is performed, or direct cremation. If you are unsure about how direct cremation works, here are a few things you should know before making a decision.

Timing

Direction cremation typically means that the cremation service is performed shortly after your loved one passes away. This might occur the next day or within a few days afterward. The remains can be sent directly to the crematory if you already know you will be choosing the direct option, or they can be sent to your funeral home to await your decision.

Casket Requirements

With a traditional cremation, you'll likely want to rent a casket for the viewing and funeral. The casket is not necessary for direct cremation, as the cremation facility will use a simple container during the process. You can, however, purchase a cremation casket for your loved one. This may bring comfort to you and your family, as it provides a touching sendoff for your loved one. Should you choose this option, your funeral home director can help you select a casket that is appropriate for your loved one.

Receiving Cremains

The method in which you receive the cremains will depend on whether or not you supply the crematory with an urn. If you have an urn already selected, you can bring it to the crematory so that the cremains can be directly transferred into it. However, if you have not chosen an urn right away, there's no need to worry. The crematory will provide a container for you. This may take the form of a cardboard box, or the crematory may have a standard urn to provide you with at an additional cost. Remember that you can always choose an urn that is more to your liking later on.

Making Arrangements

You can make arrangements for direct cremation with the crematory, or you can have your funeral director take care of the details. Some people may feel more comfortable having the funeral director make the arrangements, as it means you won't have to discuss all of the minute details on your own. Your funeral home director can also assist you with other parts of the process, including retrieving the personal effects your loved one had with him or her at the time of death.

Direct cremation is an ideal option if you prefer to hold a memorial service at a later date when your entire family can attend, or if your loved one did not wish to have a large funeral service. Work with your funeral home director to determine if direct cremation is the right choice for your loved one and for your family. Contact a company like Final Care Cremation Services to learn more.