What does it mean to have ashes interred?
Interment is the act of placing cremated remains in a permanent resting place. This can mean burying the ashes in the ground, or placing them in a niche in a columbarium (a structure designed to hold urns). Having ashes interred provides a dedicated space for remembrance and reflection.
Choosing to have ashes interred is a respectful and traditional way to honor someone who has died, providing a focal point for grief and remembrance for generations to come.
This guide will explore the various aspects of interment, including your options for location, the procedures involved, the costs you can expect, and some alternatives to consider.
Understanding Interment Options: Locations and Considerations
After cremation, you have a number of choices for the final disposition of the ashes. Here’s a look at some common options.
Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens
Cemeteries and memorial gardens offer a few different ways to inter ashes:
- Traditional Burial Plots: Ashes can be buried in a designated area within a cemetery. In the UK, you can lease a plot in a secular burial ground for 75 to 100 years for about £450 to £600, according to one estimate.
- Urn Gardens: Some cemeteries have special gardens designed just for the interment of ashes. These gardens offer a quiet, peaceful setting for remembering the deceased.
Columbariums
- Definition: A columbarium is a structure with niches designed to hold urns.
- Options and Costs: In the UK, you can lease a niche in a secular columbarium for 10 to 25 years for about £400 to £700, according to one estimate. Niches are secure and easy to visit.
Woodland Burial Sites and Natural Burial Grounds
- Eco-Friendly Options: If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, many woodland burial sites offer plots for interring ashes. These sites often require you to use a biodegradable urn.
Private Land
- Possibility of Interment: You can inter ashes on private land, but you need to think about the legal and practical aspects.
- Permissions and Disclosure: If you inter ashes on private property, get written permission from the landowner. Also, if you sell the property, disclose that ashes have been interred there.
The Practicalities of Interment: Paperwork, Urns, and Services
Interring ashes involves a few practical considerations, including paperwork, the urn you choose, and whether you want to have a service.
Required Paperwork
You’ll likely need a few essential documents to inter ashes. These often include the deed of exclusive right of burial, as well as a certificate of authority for burial. You’ll also need to provide a cremation certificate, which verifies who was cremated and when the cremation took place.
The interment details are usually recorded in a burial register, as well.
Choosing the Right Urn
If you plan to inter ashes, you’ll want to carefully consider what type of urn to use.
For burial, durable urns made of metal or fine stone are generally best. If you’re interested in an environmentally friendly option, you might consider a biodegradable urn.
Many people find comfort in selecting an urn that reflects the deceased’s personality and preferences.
Planning an Interment Service
You can personalize the interment service or have it conducted by a celebrant. As you plan the service, consider the deceased’s wishes as well as the needs of the family.
If you’d like assistance with the interment details, a funeral director can help. They can also assist with the required paperwork and service arrangements.
Financial Considerations
The cost of interring ashes can vary enormously, from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. How much you pay depends on a variety of factors.
Factors that influence the cost
- Location: Secular burial plots tend to be less expensive than religious ones. Urban areas are typically more costly than rural areas.
- Lease duration: You may be able to lease a plot for a set number of years, or you may be able to purchase the plot outright.
- Additional services: Some cemeteries offer memorial services or engraving services for an additional fee.
Cost-effective options
If you’re looking to save money, a secular plot could cost as little as £100. Religious plots and niches, on the other hand, could run to several thousand pounds.
You might also look into all-inclusive cremation packages to save on costs.
Alternatives to interment: scattering, keepsakes, and more
If you’re not sure interment is right for you and your family, there are many other ways to memorialize someone who has died.
Scattering ashes
Scattering ashes involves dispersing the cremated remains in a place that had special meaning for the person who died. Keep in mind that you may need permission to scatter ashes in certain locations.
Some all-inclusive cremation service providers can help you plan and carry out a scattering ceremony.
Keeping ashes at home
Another common alternative to interment is simply keeping the ashes at home. This allows you to keep the person close to your family.
If you choose to keep the ashes at home, you’ll want to decide where to put them. You might want to purchase a decorative urn or other container.
Using ashes for keepsakes
Ashes can also be incorporated into jewelry, artwork, or other keepsakes. This provides a tangible reminder of the person who died.
Sharing ashes
You can also divide the ashes among family members. This allows everyone to have a portion of the cremated remains, providing comfort and a sense of connection.
Final Thoughts
Interring ashes offers families a range of options for honoring a loved one’s cremated remains. You can choose to bury the urn in a cemetery plot, place it in a niche at a columbarium, or inter it at a woodland burial site.
When deciding on the right interment location and service, it’s important to consider the deceased’s wishes, if known, as well as the needs and preferences of the family. Personalizing the service and choosing a meaningful location can provide comfort and a lasting tribute.
If you’re unsure where to begin, funeral directors and cremation service providers can offer guidance and support throughout the interment process. They can explain the available options, assist with the necessary arrangements, and help you create a personalized service that reflects the life and legacy of your loved one.
Ultimately, the decision about interring ashes should be made with care and consideration, ensuring a respectful and meaningful tribute that honors the deceased and provides solace to those left behind.