Is a Funeral Casket Required for a Cremation?

Making funeral arrangements is quite daunting, particularly as most people find themselves handling this task when emotionally distressed. We at Gallagher Funeral Home know that there are several decisions to be made which can be overwhelming if you have never handled funeral arrangements before.

Although burial has been the traditional funeral choice in Connecticut for many years, approximately 40% of all dispositions are now cremations. Whether you opt for burial or cremation is a personal choice, but cremations are simpler, more affordable, and environment-friendly too. It's why there has been a noticeable shift in this trend towards cremations.

Is A Casket Required For Cremation?

Many people want to know whether they would need a casket for cremation. The answer is “no. State law only requires that you cremate the body in a rigid container. Most funeral homes include the cost of the casket in the cremation packages they offer. If you are planning to have a witnessed cremation or a visitation, you can opt for upgraded containers.

Once the cremation is complete, you can decide whether you want to place the cremains or ashes in an urn but this is no necessary by law. If however, you are going to place the ashes in a columbarium in a cemetery or are conducting a memorial service, you can choose from the many urns that most funeral homes offer.

If you prefer, use an urn of your choice as well. There are various cremation packages and funeral services to choose from and you can discuss your requirements with the funeral director. They will provide all the information needed to help you make a better-informed decision.

For help on funeral-related matters or more information about our services here at Gallagher Funeral Home, contact us or give us a call at 318-640-1375 today.