For centuries, Jewish law, or Halachah, has mandated that burial in the ground is the only acceptable option for Jewish families when caring for a loved one who has passed. Yet today, despite tradition and continued opposition from some in the Jewish community, many Jewish people are choosing cremation instead of – or as part of – traditional burial.
The Catholic Church’s attitude toward cremation has changed over time. For centuries, religious authorities believed that cremation prevented resurrection of the body and forbade Catholic families from cremating their loved ones. Over time, the Church has amended its stance on cremation, lifting its ban and issuing guidelines for how to handle ashes with care.
The act of scattering ashes can have great meaning both for your departed loved one (if they chose this memorial method before passing) and for you. If you are looking for a meaningful place to scatter your loved one’s ashes, the San Francisco Bay Area has many spots to choose from.
Losing a loved one is hard under any circumstances. However, a sudden passing can be especially challenging. You not only have to process the shock of an unanticipated life event, but you also need to shoulder an unanticipated financial burden.
One of the most important, and sometimes one of the hardest, decisions when making end of life arrangements is choosing between burial and cremation. Not only is this a very personal decision, but it also has significant implications on the amount of time you have to plan, the total cost, and the type of memorial you can have. Burial vs cremation is a difficult choice, but by considering your options early you can ensure that your final wishes are understood and fulfilled.