Approximately 70% of families now opting for cremation in Australian cities. If you have decided on a cremation, there are several important aspects to consider, including the crematorium, the type of service, how to handle the cremated remains, cremation products, cemetery fees and cremation costs.
Choosing the crematorium
Cremations are performed at crematoriums, which are usually located within cemeteries. Families may select a crematorium based on proximity or based on the affiliations of a particular funeral director.
For a list of the crematoriums in your city, see our city guides:
- Sydney Crematoriums and Cremation Services
- Melbourne Crematoriums and Cremation Services
- Brisbane Crematoriums and Cremation Services
- Adelaide Crematoriums and Cremation Services
- Perth Crematoriums and Cremation Services
Choosing the funeral service
There is a common misconception that choosing to have a cremation means that you do not hold a traditional funeral service. This is not the case. It is quite common for families to hold a traditional service before the cremation (for example, at a chapel with the casket present, with prayer readings and eulogies).
Alternatively, it is becoming more common for families to arrange for a direct cremation (otherwise known as a no-service, no-attendance cremation) followed by a memorial service several days after the cremation.
Locations for cremated remains
The most common options for handling cremated remains (or “cremains”) are to keep them in an urn, bury them in a cemetery (either in a plot in the ground or above ground in a wall niche or columbarium), or to scatter them.
Columbariums or wall niches
A columbarium is an above-ground interment option for cremated remains and is similar to a mausoleum except that the wall spaces (or “wall niches”) are much smaller, being designed for urns rather than caskets.
More interesting options
There are several non-traditional options for handling cremated remains, including having them made into jewellery or diamonds, or even having them mixed into concrete structures that form the foundation for marine reefs which can be visited via a scuba dive.
If you are considering arranging a green funeral, Ashes can also be interred at most natural burial sites in a biodegradable urn.
Cremation products
The products required to carry out a cremation will vary depending on the type of service selected and how you would like to handle the cremated remains. Typically, families will at least require a cremation casket and urn.
Cremation casket
A cremation casket is a casket that is designed specifically for cremation. They don’t have metal accessories and are fully combustible, and are generally much cheaper than burial caskets as their purpose is simply to serve as a container for cremation.
Cremation caskets can be made of a range of materials including solid wood, MDF, wicker, bamboo or cardboard.
If you are holding a traditional funeral service before the cremation and the casket will be present, you might opt for a more expensive casket or enquire whether your funeral home can arrange a rental casket (or “alternative container”). An alternative container (unlike most cremation caskets) is designed for display at the service. The body is first placed in a wooden container which is then placed in the rental casket. This means that the interior section that the body touches is never shared. The wooden container can then be removed following the ceremony and placed into the cremation container for the cremation.
Urn
If you have a cremation you will need an urn to hold the ashes. There are many different urn styles and materials and ultimately, selection comes down to personal preference. However, depending on what you would like to do with the cremated remains, families may want to look into keepsake urns (smaller than single urns if several family members would like to keep a portion of the ashes), companion urns (larger urns that are designed often for a husband and wife) or scattering vials (used to divide the ashes so they can be easily scattered by participants at a scattering ceremony).
Burial Vaults and Grave Liners
In the case that you choose to bury your loved one’s remains in a cemetery, the cemetery may require the use of a burial vault or grave liner. Burial vaults and grave liners are usually made from copper, steel or concrete and go around the urn. Burial vaults completely line the plot (i.e. sides top and bottom) whereas liners only line the sides and top. The reason for vaults and liners is to prevent the soil around and on top of the plot from collapsing over time, ensuring safety and reducing the need for significant maintenance.
Peter Erceg
Peter Erceg is the Owner and Founder of eziFunerals. He has had a long history within the funeral industry, and is a published author of ‘What Kind Of Funeral: A self help guide to planning a meaningful funeral’. Prior to eziFunerals, Peter worked in the public sector and health industry for more than 30 years. The views and opinions expressed on posts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of eziFunerals and members.
