In most cases, this person is close to the deceased and knows their wishes.

If you’re not the legally appointed representative yourself, it’s important to contact them first.

In general, people who select natural burial seek to minimize their impact on the environment after death.

Mourners standing over grave

DreamPictures / Blend Images / Getty Images

Cremation

The cremation process uses heat/flame to reduce a body to bone fragments or “ashes.”

Choose a Funeral Home

The next step is to research your service and provider options.

Contacting the personal representative can help to ensure their wishes are honored.

Or, they can’t be “buried” along with a spouse (sometimes, they can).

You’ll want to ensure that a memorial reflects their unique personhood and any spiritual practices.

Should the Body Be Present?

Burial and cremation are meant for final body disposition.

Neither choice means the body needs to be present during a funeral or memorial service.

you might still have open-casket visitation hours with the body present even if cremation is planned.

Your plans will reflect your loved one’s and family’s wishes.

It’s common now for people to make donations to preferred charities and organizations instead of sending flowers.

You also can share them on social media, or in personal conversation.

Most businesses provide convenient product and service information and prices, and even post their general price list online.

This makes it easier to compare local prices and service options.

see to it they have contact information for the funeral home or similar service provider where you made arrangements.

This includes written and/or digital copies detailing the options you’ve chosen and their cost.

Tell them whether your memorial plans include having the body present.

Planning a funeral or memorial service may be among them, though these services often are prearranged.

International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association.Resources for Consumers.

Hootman, T.FindLaw Funeral Planning FAQ.

Cremation Association of North America.Alkaline Hydrolysis.

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information.The FTC Funeral Rule.