Different people and different cultures have different methods of providing a final resting place for a loved one that has passed on. In the United States more and more people are turning to cremation instead of a traditional burial. Illinois cremation services are designed to address all your needs and make sure you have the information needed. Cremation services in Illinois can be discussed with your funeral home director to determine a variety of factors including cremation costs in Illinois.
Cremation costs in Illinois will vary based largely on the type of urn that you select to protect and preserve the ashes of the deceased. Urns are designed to hold all the remains from the cremation chamber, which will usually average between four and five pounds of ash for an average sized person. When discussing cremation costs in Illinois with the funeral director it is important to know the approximate weight of the deceased. This is their healthy weight as this will be a better indicator of volume of the cremains, the ashes, which will be processed and placed in the urn.
Types of Urns Available Through Illinois Cremation Services
Funeral homes and crematories will provide a range of different styles of urns available as part of Illinois cremation costs. You will have a range of prices as well, allowing you to stay within your budget limitations for Illinois cremation services. Talk to the funeral director so he or she can help to narrow down your urn selections based on price and the other factors you select.
Materials are also important when choosing an urn for cremation services. If the urn is to be buried or placed in a columbarium you may want to choose a more durable material. Good options include natural stone, metals such as bronze and copper, or beautifully designed and treated hardwoods.
For burial many people choose biodegradable urns through companies offering cremation services in Illinois. These urns tend to be less costly than the more durable urns because they are not designed to last for long periods of time. When buried in the earth they gradually dissolve; leaving no harmful residue and giving back to the environment.
Temporary urns that are made of plastic or cardboard are a good choice if you plan to scatter the ashes or if you have to travel with the ashes on airlines. These urns are able to go through airline security but it is still important to contact your carrier and notify them you are transporting the urn and ashes.
Biodegradable urns may also provide a more decorative and special temporary urn. With their reasonable cost this is often not a major factor when pricing Illinois cremation costs.
Display Urns for the Home
Many people using cremation services in Illinois wish to keep their loved one's urn in their home and want an urn that is beautiful and special. The Illinois cremation costs quoted and provide in written form will include the type of urn that you select, so it is important to have an idea of what you would prefer when you talk to the funeral director.
For display purposes the urns are typically more ornate and stylized, but you can also choose one that is elegant and classic in design. Metal urns, including polished bronze and copper or combinations of metals will work well in any type of display case or room. Many cremation services in Illinois will provide engraving services for the metal urns as well as engraved plaques that can be mounted or hung on other types of urns.
Natural materials such as stone, marble and granite are also popular options for display urns. The materials may be left natural or highly polished to give a lustrous appearance to the urn. They are unbreakable and durable and, with a variety of stone and natural rocks available they can be very unique.
Highly designed urns using the cloisonné technique of metal and enamel provide an elegant final resting place. These urns often have a wooden stand for display and are amazingly designed with incredible detail. Although beautiful they are also very strong and a very secure option for storage and display.
Ceramic and glass urns come in literally every color, shape and design. Some may be handmade or hand blown, providing a one of a kind urn to suit your personal preference. These urns do have the option for specialized types of engraving including beautiful hand painted calligraphy to commemorate your loved one.
Keepsake Urns
You may also want to consider keepsake urns when discussing your Illinois cremation services and costs. These are miniature urns that are designed to hold only a small amount of the ashes. This allows the family members to each have an urn for display in their home. These urns can be identical or they can be selected individually by the family members.
Choosing urns for your loved one is not always easy as there are so many to choose from. Talk to your Illinois cremation services provider and they can help you to make the decision and select and urn you will display in your home as a memorial to your loved one.