The option of a cremation as opposed to a burial is something many more people are considering these days and the numbers choosing cremation increases each year.
Lakelands’ position in Co. Cavan makes it easily accessible for funeral directors and families from Northern Ireland, along with the North-West, West and Midlands of Ireland.
We’re always available to chat on the phone or to arrange an appointment to come to our funeral home and see our cremation facilities at first hand. We understand that there can be many questions for those who haven’t been to a cremation before, so we’re happy to talk through your questions and put your minds at ease about it as a funeral option.
Cremation FAQs
Cremation in Ireland is growing in popularity, at Lakelands Funeral Home & Crematorium, we have installed the latest, and environmentally friendly cremator. We offer this service to our clients and to other Funeral Directors.
To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation isn’t. Cremation is not final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame.
Any traditional funeral service with the body present can precede the cremation. Alternatively, a memorial service can take place after the cremation has been completed.
Yes. Our state-of-the-art cremation facility is set up to allow family members to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. All we ask is prior notice of the request so that the area is prepared to accommodate more than the usual number of people.
Today most religions allow cremation except for Orthodox Jewish, Muslim, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings. Some people believe that cremation is against the teachings of the Bible, but according to one famous Biblical scholar, “what occurs to the body after death has no bearing on the soul’s resurrection. The body that rises is not made of the same substances as the one that was buried, or cremated, but is immortal and incorruptible.”
Yes. Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service. In fact, if the family is planning on a memorial service, we encourage the cremated remains be present as it provides a focal point for the service.
There are many options. Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, interned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property. Our staff will be happy to discuss these options with you and make any arrangements.
While some people select cremation for economy, many choose this option for other reasons. The simplicity and dignity of cremation, environmental concerns, and the flexibility cremation affords in ceremony planning and final disposition all add to its increasing popularity.
We have developed the most rigorous set of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize our level of service and minimize the potential for human error. Positive identification of the deceased is assured throughout each stage of the cremation process using our ten-step identification, control and security system. All activities outside the cremation chamber are monitored 24-hours a day using closed-circuit security system. We only allow licensed professionals to operate our cremation equipment.
It depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult, cremation takes from two to three hours.
All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items are transferred into the back of the cremation chamber and into a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridge work, are separated from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects. Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with the cremated remains. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family.
Never. Not only is it illegal to do so, most modern cremation chambers are not of sufficient size to accommodate more than one adult. Thus, it would be a practical impossibility to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously.
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in colour. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four to six pounds.