Personal Items You Can Include With Cremation

Since the days of Egypt and the Pharaohs, cultures around the world have had personal items of the deceased included in burials and cremations. These items could include things such as the deceased’s money and jewels, to things they may need in the afterlife such as weapons and food. Today, many people still wish to have certain items with them in burial or their cremation services in Dickson, TN. Keep reading to learn what is, and isn’t, allowed.

Items Not Permitted to be Included with Cremation

The first items to talk about are those that are no permitted. Typically the reason is because the item may interact with the heat and become unstable, unpredictable, and dangerous. Also, items that may be harmful to the environment when burned are not allowed. Some of these items include:

• Pacemakers
• Bottles of alcohol
• Lighters
• Glass items
• Materials like rubber, latex, leather, and vinyl
• Glass or plastic jars or containers
• Anything with a battery in it

If you have any questions about a specific object you would like to place with your loved one, talk with the director and they can let you know if it is allowed or not.

Items That Are Permitted With Cremation

Although there are quite a few items that are not permitted with cremation, the good news, is there are still many items that are allowed. if you would like to include something personal, some ideas include:

• Soft toys such as stuffed animals
• Letters – These could be old letters you had saved, or you could write a new letter to your loved one
• Wooden items such as rosary beads
• Pieces of special clothing
• Special photographs
• Flowers
• Books
• Some jewelry may be permitted

Considerations with Items and Cremation

If you wish to have personal items added into the cremation with your loved one, you will need to let the funeral director or cremation provider know as soon as possible. This is because with some types of cremation services, such as direct cremation, there may not be enough time to gather the items and place with the body for cremation. This is because direct cremation is a very quick process with a very short timeline.

Another consideration is to make sure you are following any religious beliefs your loved one held. Did they belong to a religion that has specific rules on what should be worn when cremated? Are there are any items that should not be included? Any items that should? If you are not sure about any of their beliefs, find a religious leader to talk to and answer your questions.

If you are wanting to add any items to your loved one’s cremation services in Dickson, TN make sure you talk with the director specifically as they can can help you decide what items you can include, which one’s you can’t, and make sure you have enough time to add them into the cremation.