The Complete Guide to Cremation

Planning a cremation doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery in Evansville, we guide you through every step.

Our comprehensive Everything Cremation Guide provides the knowledge you need to make informed decisions — from understanding the process to exploring hundreds of things to do with your loved one’s ashes. 

Why Cremation is Popular

Cremation has become more popular than traditional funerals. The number of people choosing cremation was just four percent in 1960. It is now the most popular choice, with 64% of Americans projected to opt for cremation in 2025. By 2030, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) projects the U.S. cremation rate will rise to 72.8%.

People are choosing cremation over traditional funerals for different reasons:

• Cremations are flexible. You can choose whether or not you want any remembrance ceremony (such as a funeral or visitation) beforehand. Having a service before the cremation allows the family to say goodbye to their loved one’s body. With a memorial service held after the cremation, you can have it at any time.
• Cremations are typically less expensive than traditional funerals (we’ll cover costs in a moment).
• Ashes are portable. If you move and choose to place your loved one’s ashes in an urn or piece of jewelry, they can move with you.
• Cremations are an environmentally friendly option. At some point in the future, we may run out of land to bury our dead

The Cremation Process

Before cremation can take place, staff must remove pacemakers and other implanted medical devices. These can explode under high temperatures, causing potential hazards to the crematory staff and equipment. The cremation process can also destroy some jewelry. So, before your loved one is transferred to the crematory, ask the funeral director to remove any items you’d like to keep.

Once the casket or container arrives at the crematory, staff place it in the cremation chamber. Inside, the temperature ranges from approximately 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. It will take between two and two and a half hours for all the organic matter to be consumed.

Family members may request to be present. When the process is complete, only bone fragments remain. These are also known as cremated remains or ashes. Staff remove the ashes from the chamber and allow them to cool. They remove any metal with a magnet. Then they process the cremated remains into fine particles. They place them in a temporary container. If the family has already purchased an urn, they put the remains directly in it. Rest assured, the staff conducts the entire cremation process with respect and documents the whole procedure to ensure proper identification.

Cremation Costs

In 2025, the average cost of a direct cremation in Indiana ranges between $1,000 – $2,500, according to data from the National Funeral Directors Association. Direct cremation is a process in which a crematory cremates the deceased without a viewing or memorial service, and returns the ashes to the family in a temporary urn made of cardboard or plastic.

Factors That Influence the Cost:  The base price for direct cremation typically includes:

• Transportation
• Basic paperwork
• The cremation process, and the
• Return of the ashes in a legal temporary container.

Any additional services, such as a private viewing, a specific urn, or mailing of remains, will be added to the overall cost. Be sure to ask what the total price includes, so you don’t face any unwelcome surprises, such as expecting a service that the basic direct cremation cost does not include.

See our Guaranteed Pricing to view the options available for cremation.

What Can You Do with Your Loved One’s Ashes?

Another benefit of cremation is that it allows for various options that can be done with the cremated remains. Let’s take a look at some of the most common choices:

The Traditional Urn: Perhaps the most traditional choice is to enshrine a loved one’s ashes in a beautiful urn. Of course, if you’ve seen the movie “Meet the Parents” you will no doubt remember the flying cork scene. While the results were hilarious in the film, people should be sure to place the urn where it will be secure.

A Columbarium: A columbarium is a place within a cemetery or church that houses cremated remains in individual “niches.” Some prefer this option because they believe it provides their loved one with a dignified resting place. It also provides a place for family members to visit.

Divided Among Family Members: Who decides who gets to keep Dad’s ashes? Family members can divide cremated remains so everyone can keep Dad close. Besides urns, you may also keep ashes in:

• Memorial jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings, for both men and women
• Keepsakes, including glass works of art
• Unique items such as vinyl records and paintings
  

Scattering:  You can scatter your loved one’s ashes in a variety of locations. Here are a few possibilities:

• Public Places: Perhaps your family member requested that you scatter their ashes in a place they considered special. You should check with your local ordinances to know what is permissible. National parks, for instance, do not permit people to scatter ashes.
• At Sea: You may also want to scatter your loved one’s ashes at sea if the person had an affinity for the ocean. Maritime requirements permit you to scatter the ashes at least three miles out from shore.
• By Air: You can scatter your loved one’s ashes by air. Perhaps from a hot air balloon? Or from a small plane with a licensed pilot, such as Chicago-based Aerial Egress. Some companies will even include a small portion of the ashes in a fireworks display.
• Private Land: If you want to scatter your loved one’s ashes in a sports stadium or other favorite place, you’ll have to get a permit. Don’t believe us? Just ask the guy who was arrested after running onto the field during an Eagles game to scatter his mom’s ashes.
• Cremation Garden: If you have the ashes of a loved one at home, it may be time to consider a more permanent resting place. Sunset offers free placement of ashes in our Cremation Garden, providing you and your loved ones with a place to visit for years to come.

For even more ideas, request your free Cremation Guide.

Carrie Phelps-Campbell, Blog Contributor