Choosing what to do with a loved one's ashes is an important decision that comes during a time of grieving, reflection, and remembrance.
There are many options available, from scattering ashes in a special place to keeping them close by in an urn at home. But for some families, interment offers a unique way to honor their loved one.
Interment of ashes, or the act of placing ashes in a final resting place, is an option that combines respect, tradition, and the comfort of having a dedicated space to connect with those we've lost.
What is an interment of ashes?
An interment of ashes is the final placement of your loved one's cremated remains in a designated resting place. This could be a cemetery plot, a columbarium niche (a small compartment in a building designed for urns), a designated urn garden, or even private property with permission from the landowner.
Why choose interment?
Choosing interment for your loved one's ashes is a deeply personal decision. Here are some reasons why families find comfort in this option:
- It gives you a place to visit: Interment creates a specific location for you and your loved ones to visit, reflect, and remember. It can be a source of comfort, especially during times of grief.
You can visit the columbarium niche or gravesite, bringing flowers or mementos, and creating a space for quiet reflection.
- It gives you a sense of closure: Having a designated resting place for the ashes can provide a feeling of finality and closure.
Interment offers the best of both worlds — a respectful cremation and a permanent place for your love to continue.
- It helps honor traditions: Interment may align with your religious or cultural traditions, offering a way to honor your heritage and beliefs.
- It bridges the gap between cremation and traditional burial: Some families may miss the traditional aspects of a gravesite. Interment bridges that gap. It allows you to honor the practical and personal aspects of cremation, while still providing a designated space for remembrance.
Interment of ashes: Options to choose from
Burial of ashes
- Cemetery plot: A traditional cemetery plot allows you to bury the urn alongside casket burials or in a designated area for cremation urns. This offers a familiar and established setting for remembrance, often with beautiful landscaping and ongoing maintenance by the cemetery.
- Urn garden: Many cemeteries offer dedicated urn gardens specifically designed for cremated remains. These can be peaceful spaces with benches, walkways, and flowering plants, creating a serene atmosphere for reflection.
- Family plot: If your family already has a burial plot, you might choose to inter the ashes within the same plot. This allows you to create a shared resting place for multiple generations, fostering a sense of connection and family history.
- Private property (with permission): In some cases, scattering ashes on private property might not be an option. However, with the landowner's consent, you can bury the urn on their land. Local regulations may apply, so it's important to check with your local authorities before proceeding.
Columbarium niche
A columbarium is a structure designed specifically to house cremation urns. These can be beautiful and dignified spaces, often built within a mausoleum or as freestanding structures.
Columbarium niches come in various sizes, allowing you to choose a space that best suits your needs and budget. Some columbariums offer personalized features like nameplates, inscriptions, or even small display areas for keepsakes.
Did you know? The legendary Walt Disney chose an option like this. After his death in 1966, Walt Disney was cremated, and his remains are kept in a cemetery mausoleum in California.
Guidelines for choosing a location
When considering interment for your loved one's ashes, here are some questions that can help you determine the most meaningful location:
- Were there any special places your loved one frequented? Perhaps a favorite park, a scenic overlook, or even a quiet corner of their own backyard. These locations can hold deep emotional significance and create a lasting connection.
- Did your loved one have any religious or cultural traditions regarding final resting places? Considering these practices can provide a sense of continuity and honor their beliefs.
- Did you share any special memories or moments in specific locations? Interring their ashes there can create a place for you and your family to return to and reminisce.
- How often would you and your family like to visit the resting place? Accessibility is important. A nearby location might be ideal for regular visits, while a more remote area could be a peaceful destination for occasional reflection.
- Are there any ongoing maintenance considerations? Cemetery plots and columbarium niches often involve maintenance fees. Think about your budget and long-term preferences.
- Are there any legal restrictions to consider? Local regulations may exist regarding scattering ashes or burying urns on private property. We can help you navigate these legalities to ensure a smooth process.
Steps to arranging an interment
Your cremation service provider can guide you through each step with care and respect. Here’s a detailed explanation of what’s usually involved:
Initial consultation
- Contact your cremation service provider: Schedule a convenient time to discuss your wishes and have any questions answered. During this consultation, you'll explore preferred interment options, including burial in a cemetery plot, placement in a columbarium niche, or scattering in a designated location.
- Documentation: The cremation service provider will assist you with the necessary paperwork, including the cremation permit and any required cemetery or columbarium authorization forms.
Selecting an interment location
- Considering your options: You’ll then go through the various interment options available to help you find a location that best reflects your preferences and budget. Factors to consider include accessibility for visits, ongoing maintenance needs, and any religious or cultural traditions you wish to honor.
- Cemetery: The provider can offer information on nearby cemeteries, including traditional plots, dedicated urn gardens, or mausoleum placements. They can also help you navigate cemetery regulations and fees.
- Columbarium options: If you prefer a columbarium niche, they will discuss the various styles and sizes available, ensuring you find a space that meets your needs and aesthetic preferences. Many columbariums offer personalization options like nameplates, inscriptions, or even small display areas for keepsakes.
Selecting an urn
- Material and design options: Cremation service providers typically offer a wide selection of urns in various materials, styles, and price points. They can assist you in choosing an urn that reflects your loved one's personality and complements the chosen interment location.
Planning the ceremony (optional)
- Memorial service: You may hold a small memorial service at the interment location or a separate venue. The cremation service provider can assist you with planning this service, helping you create a meaningful tribute to your loved one's life.
- Witnessing the interment: You and your family can be present at the interment if you choose to. This gives some families a sense of closure and a final act of remembrance.
The best cremation service providers understand that grief is a journey. They will be there to support you every step of the way. Following the interment, you can reach out to them with any questions or concerns you may have.
Documents required for an interment of ashes
While specific requirements may vary depending on your state and chosen interment location (cemetery, columbarium, or private property), here's a general list of documents you might need:
- Death certificate: An official copy of the death certificate is typically required by the cremation service provider and the interment location.
- Cremation authorization: This document, typically signed by the next of kin, authorizes the cremation to proceed. You may have already obtained this from the cremation service provider.
- Interment permit: Some states or cemeteries may require a separate permit for interment of ashes. The cremation service provider or cemetery can advise you on obtaining this.
- Cemetery plot deed or columbarium niche receipt: If the location you choose is in a cemetery plot or columbarium niche, you'll need proof of ownership or purchase.
- Landowner permission (if applicable): In the case of interring ashes on private property, a written permission document from the landowner is usually required.
- Military discharge papers (if applicable): For veterans, military discharge papers might be required for specific veteran burial benefits or placement in a veteran's cemetery.
- Proof of relationship (if applicable): Some cemeteries or columbaria might request proof of your relationship to the deceased, especially if you are not the next of kin arranging the interment.
Remember: This is not an exhaustive list. It's always best to check with your chosen cremation service provider and interment location for their specific requirements.
Interment of ashes: Cost breakdown (Averages for US)
The cost of interment can vary significantly depending on several factors, including your location, chosen options, and desired level of personalization.
Here's a breakdown of the average costs:
|
Category
|
Average Cost
Range
|
Description
|
|
Cremation
|
$2,000 - $6,000
|
This covers the cremation process itself, including basic services from the cremation provider.
Costs can vary based on facility fees, container selection, and add-on services (witnessing cremation, paperwork assistance).
|
|
Urn
|
$35 - $2,000+
|
Urns come in a wide range of materials (metal, wood, ceramic, biodegradable), sizes, and styles.
A basic urn can be quite affordable, while elaborate or handcrafted options can cost significantly more.
|
|
Interment Location
|
|
Cemetery plot
|
$1,000 - $10,000+
|
Costs can vary greatly depending on cemetery location, plot size, and desirability.
Purchasing a new plot in a prestigious cemetery will be more expensive than a smaller plot in a rural area.
|
|
Columbarium niche
|
$500 - $5,000+
|
Niche prices depend on the columbarium's location, size of the niche,
and any included features (bronze nameplates, engraving).
Generally, more elaborate columbariums in urban areas will have higher costs.
|
|
Burying ashes on public land
|
Free (Permit Fees)
|
Permit fees may be required to scatter ashes on public lands
managed by federal or state agencies. These fees are typically minimal (around $25-$50).
|
|
Interring ashes on
private property
|
Free
|
Obtaining written permission from the landowner is crucial. There may not be additional costs involved.
|
|
Memorial service
(Optional)
|
$500 - $10,000+
|
Costs depend on the venue, catering, officiant fees, music, and other desired elements.
A simple gathering at a place of worship might be less expensive than a catered reception at a banquet hall.
|
|
Marker or memorialization
(Optional)
|
$200 - $5,000+
|
Headstones, benches, plaques, or other permanent memorials at cemeteries or columbariums
can range in price depending on size, material, and intricacy of design.
|
Important notes:
- These are average costs and may not reflect prices in your specific area. It's always best to get quotes from local cremation service providers and interment locations.
- Many cremation service providers offer combination packages that may include cremation, urn, and a basic memorial service at a discounted rate.
- Make sure you factor in potential ongoing costs, such as cemetery maintenance fees for plots or niches.
Frequently asked questions
Are ashes interred or interned?
Cremated ashes are interred, not interned. To inter means to place the ashes into a final resting place, such as an urn, grave, or columbarium. Think of it like a burial of ashes.
Is interring different from scattering ashes?
Scattering ashes is different from interring them. Scattering involves dispersing the ashes in a meaningful place or into nature, without confining them to a specific location.
Interring, in contrast, involves placing the ashes in a designated spot where they remain contained, such as in an urn, grave, or niche in a columbarium.
Next steps
At Meadow, we understand that navigating the cremation process can be overwhelming during an already difficult time.
While Meadow doesn't offer traditional interment services, we provide a meaningful way to celebrate a life well-lived with affordable, all-inclusive cremation services and customized memorial planning services in the Los Angeles County area.
Our team of caring memorial planners partner with you in this tender time to create an occasion as remarkable as the life it honors.
With our licensed team, you can expect:
- Affordable cremation services: Our all-inclusive cremation packages start at $1,495 and provide a dignified and respectful cremation process in Los Angeles.
- Scattering ceremonies: We can assist you in planning a beautiful scattering ceremony, whether at a cherished location or a designated scattering garden.
- Personalized memorial planning: Our caring memorial planners will partner with you to create a unique and meaningful memorial service that reflects your loved one's life and spirit. We can help you find the perfect location, from a serene beachfront setting to your loved one's favorite restaurant or the comfort of your own home.
- Transparent pricing: We believe in clear and upfront pricing. You'll always know exactly what's included and won't deal with any hidden costs.
This allows you to focus on what matters most — remembering and celebrating your loved one's life with family and friends.
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