Westchester Funeral Home

Why Choose Cremation

Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation vs. burial. Cremation is an alternative to earth burial. Cremation is irreversible. A deceased person's body is placed in an appropriate container and then taken to a crematory. Visitation and religious services can follow if desired. Families may choose the type of container with which they are comfortable. We can help with planning a cremation service, as well as any other services.

Our Cremation Services in Eastchester NY

Grief and the loss of a loved one affects everyone in their own way. In most cases, the way in which we choose to honor a loved one’s passing is as unique as the deceased was. For many years, a funeral service and burial was the only way to care for a loved one. In recent years the popularity of cremation has grown with more and more families now selecting cremation services as a way to care for their loved one. 

Cremation services offer many options for personalization and honoring a loved one. The great thing about a cremation service is that it provides you with the flexibility to plan a service that meets your family’s needs and budget. For instance, some families may elect to hold a traditional funeral service before the cremation or a memorial service afterwards. In both cases, the service can help your family say goodbye and respect your religious beliefs. Other families might be turned off by the thought of a traditional funeral service and instead choose to plan a more casual, celebration of life service. 

Many families that choose cremation have the same services and religious rites as those that choose burial or entombment. Cremation as a choice does not prevent that. Studies have demonstrated that having time to say goodbye is healthy, and having a funeral is important to the survivors. Services can be as private as you would like. Others do not wish to view the deceased. They may choose visiting with a closed casket. Some prefer a memorial service without the body present. Many prefer some type of religious service: at the church, funeral home or cemetery. There are as many choices with planning a cremation service as with burial or entombment. At Westchester funeral home, we are always available to help with Cremation Services in Eastchester NY, Westchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Scarsdale, Yonkers, Bronx, White Plains, Hartsdale, Rye, Greenburgh, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Elmsford, Purchase, Mount Vernon, and Harrison.
cremation vs burial urn with lit candles and a rose

Why do People get Cremated?

You will need to decide if you want your loved one to be buried or cremated. Although, with a cremation you can also plan a burial. If you choose to have your loved one buried, you will need to decide if you want to have a viewing with the body present and if you want this viewing to be public or private. You will also need to make arrangements for a cemetery plot.

Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons "is the softening of the Catholic church's views of the practice. For centuries – until 1963, in fact – the church outlawed it. The church's laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past."  

He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. "As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one's remains."
Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration-of-life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.

You can also be sure that concern for the environment ranks high among many who choose cremation. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the ground water but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.
beautiful cremation urns selection
Our beautiful assortment of Urns

We are caring cremation experts who promise each family we serve the highest level of:

Courteous, professional service.
Our dedicated staff will take care of all details, including prompt filing of required permits and notifications. Accurate completion of these essential documents not only ensures their acceptance by local or state agencies; it guarantees your loved one's cremation will not be delayed.

Respectful care of the deceased and timely completion of cremation process.
Your loved one will be attended to by certified crematory operators; each of whom has been trained to provide both compassionate care for the deceased, and conscientious attention to detail throughout the cremation process.

Safekeeping and prompt return of cremated remains.
We know it's important for the families we serve to know their loved one will be coming home as soon as possible. That's why we promise to notify you as soon as their ashes become available, and safeguard their urn until the time you are ready to receive them.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased.
There are many advantages to taking some time to remember the life lived, share stories and laugh about all of the memories. Our team can help you plan a fitting memorial service with or without the cremation urn present, at our facility or in a place of your choosing.

Are you Ready to Talk About Cremation?

 We've had years of experience serving many families, so we understand and respect your decisions. Not only that, we will take all the time you may need to make an informed decision. We want you to know that no matter your reasons for choosing cremation, we're here to help you explore your options. When you're ready, call us at 914-337-4585 to set an appointment or simply drop by our office. You can also send us an email via our online contact us form.
Online Sources:
Mathisen, Tyler, "Cremation is the Hottest Trend in the Funeral Industry".
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