Procrastination appears to be one reason families leave cremated remains at a funeral home. Unsure of what to do with the cremated remains, some leave the remains behind thinking one day they will get around to picking up their loved one’s remains. But, life happens and many never get around to picking up the remains, and their loved one stays at the funeral home or crematorium. Conversely, many do pick up their loved one’s remains, but they feel keeping a loved one’s cremated remains at home seems like a good way to stay close to them.
Sadly, both of these pose some potential problems. Over time and through generations, cremated remains become prone to being forgotten. For descendants who inherit urns containing the remains of people they never met, cremated remains can quickly turn from keepsakes to headaches. The question of where to display the urn becomes a question of where to store the urn. The Cremation Association of North America estimates that over 2 million sets of cremated remains are left at a crematory, stuffed in a closet, or forgotten in an attic. Worse still, urns containing their loved ones can be lost in a fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
Regardless of whether cremation has been chosen, the body of a deceased Catholic felt the waters of Baptism, was fed the Bread of Life, and performed the works of the Holy Spirit. As Catholics, we know that respecting human remains, cremated or not, is integral to our belief in the Resurrection. The good thing about cremation is that it is never too late to inter the remains. As a ministry, we are here for you, and we can help you keep the remains of your loved one safe, dignified, and memorialized. South Jersey Catholic Cemeteries offers several options for inurning your loved one, aligning with the Church’s teachings, and securing them a final resting place on sanctified ground.
Below is a chart comparing the consequences of not laying cremated remains to rest in a sacred place such as a Catholic cemetery.
We also offer a new Planning Guide for a Catholic Funeral. When completing this guide, you make the decisions and then your family knows your wishes and can follow them. Download our guide.
Below are some burial options available. Call your local cemetery or our toll free number, 855-697-7375, for more information.
Private Family Cremation Estates are much like a traditional private family mausoleum that can hold the remains of several family members, but are designed specifically for cremated remains. These beautiful granite monuments have numerous personalization possibilities that make it unique to your family.
A columbarium is a public unit that holds several niches, each containing cremated remains. A niche can be purchased singularly or several at a time. Columbaria are similar to a mausoleum crypt, but designed for cremated remains. Columbaria are almost always built in a surrounding that offers a nice place to sit and visit loved ones.
Ground cremation graves are a cost-effective way to inter cremated remains. We offer several burial options for cremation. And, if you already own a burial plot, or are seeking to buy one for full body interment, you may have the option to purchase an additional burial privilege for cremated remains at a lower cost, which we call a grave reuse.