After you have had the cremation for your loved one, you will need to decide on what you want to do with their ashes. Some loved ones decide they will keep the ashes in their home in an urn. It helps them to feel close to the departed. Or other families decide to spread the ashes at a special place. It might be a meaningful spot during their life or a peaceful area that the family can visit. Other families decide that they would prefer to bury the cremated remains.
However, this does require several important decisions regarding where, how and when you will bury the ashes. In turn, here is our guide to burying ashes in a grave.
The interment of ashes
The process of burying the ashes in a final resting place is often referred to as the interment of ashes. It’s a common practice that families often choose to do as it means their passed loved one has a set place where they can visit the ashes. It might be the case you want to bury the ashes in a yard, potentially in the deceased’s home or family home. Or you might want to bury them in a plot where other family members are buried. It’s a hard decision that the family have to make.
However, there are certain rules to follow, whether you want to bury at a cemetery or private land.
Burying ashes at a cemetery
It might be the case that you want to bury the ashes at a plot in a cemetery. This enables family members to visit a plot and pay their respects. Also, it might be their wish to be buried near loved ones who have already passed. You can bury the ashes at a cemetery, as long as you have chosen an appropriate urn for this type of burial. You can discuss with the funeral home what urn is best if you want to bury the ashes at a cemetery. Likewise, you will also have to choose a burial plot and will have to discuss your requirements with the cemetery.
It might be the case that you want to bury the urn with other family members that have died. Or you might have multiple urns from one family that the family wishes to be buried together. It’s possible to bury several urns in a burial plot, but this again must be discussed with the cemetery. Additionally, they may have rules on specific grave markers that you will still need to purchase when burying an urn.
Burying ashes on private land
Some families decide they want the cremated remains to be buried on private land. If it’s private property that you own, you can bury the urn without seeking permission. If you don’t own the property, you will have to discuss the matter with the owner before you go ahead and bury the cremated remains. It’s worth noting that if you do sell and are no longer the owner, you legally need to take the remains with you or disclose this information regarding the buried ashes to the new owner.
Choosing a burial urn
If you are going to go down the route of interment with the cremated ashes, you need to ensure you have an appropriate urn. You need an urn which can be buried and is long-standing. Here are a few of the different urns you can choose if you are going to bury the ashes.
Biodegradable urns
One form of urn which is common for interment is biodegradable urns. These urns are often chosen by families who are eco-friendly or the person who has died may have followed a green lifestyle. The biodegradable urn may be made from bamboo, cardboard or untreated wood.
Metal urns
Another type of urn which is used for the burial of the ashes is a metal urn. These are one of the strongest types of urns you can buy with the material lasting for a long time in the ground. They are highly durable and are a good choice for families who want to bury the ashes.
What about interment ceremonies?
It might be the case that you decide to hold an interment ceremony which takes place during the burial of the ashes. It’s a meaningful way to say goodbye as the deceased is placed in their final resting place. If you do want to go down the route of an interment ceremony, it’s a good idea to discuss this with the funeral director. They can help you find the right cemetery as well as choose an appropriate plot for the ashes. They can also help you to plan the ceremony to ensure it meets your wishes for your loved one.
You need to decide who you want to hold the ceremony. It might be the case that you decide whether a family member or friend conducts the ceremony. Or if the deceased was religious, it can be arranged with the church for the minister to come out to conduct the ceremony. The service can be arranged to your requirements and can include a eulogy or a poem for the deceased. Normally these ceremonies are only half an hour to 45 minutes long and can either be a public ceremony or with just a few family members. It provides a way for the family to grieve and have a final goodbye before the ashes are buried.
