In the vast panorama of our lives, family history is a precious web of stories, memories and traditions that we pass down from generation to generation. As funeral rituals change over time, cremation is emerging as a more and more widespread option in many communities.

Cremation represents a unique way of preserving family history through time and giving the memory of our loved ones an imperishable form. Discover how preserving ashes can help preserve your family’s history, from one generation to the next.

 

Cremation: a dignified and intimate farewell

Cremation is an increasingly popular method of disposing of a deceased’s body in many cultures around the world, offering an alternative to traditional burial.

Cremation involves reducing the body of a deceased person to ashes in a crematorium designed specifically for this purpose. When the professionals at Crématorium Montréal cremate a body, they always do so with the utmost respect for the deceased and his or her loved ones.

Contrary to what one might believe, cremation can be just as meaningful as burial. In fact, at Crématorium Montréal, families have the option of accompanying their loved one’s body to cremation, for a final, gentle good-bye.

 

Ashes and memorial ceremonies

Cremation also offers families the opportunity to create unique commemorative rituals, celebrating the life and legacy of their deceased loved ones.

There are many ways of marking the passing of a loved one, such as ceremonies to scatter the ashes in meaningful places. Whatever their form, these gatherings represent an opportunity to share stories and strengthen family ties.

Commemorative pieces of jewellery, made from the ashes of a deceased person, are also an excellent way to keep the memory of a loved one alive and to keep his or her spirit close to you over time. Rather than a single urn, these pieces of jewellery allow all family members to keep a memento of their loved one.

 

Ashes in the grieving process

Ashes can play an important role not only in preserving family history, but also in coming to terms with the loss of a loved one.

Keeping the ashes of a deceased loved one at home can help us get through the ordeal of mourning. In this way, we can give ourselves time to catch our breath before disposing of our loved one’s ashes, whether by scattering them in a symbolic place or placing them in a columbarium niche.

 

Ashes are memory keepers

Cremated ashes are much more than mere remains. They embody a tangible connection with our ancestors, which accompanies us in our daily lives.

But beyond this physical presence, ashes also play a powerful symbolic role in preserving family history. They are the keepers of our history, carrying with them the memories, values and teachings of our ancestors.

When ashes are shared with future generations, they can serve as a receptacle for our family heritage, encouraging dialogue and the transmission of wisdom accumulated over the centuries.

 

Cremation and modern genealogical memory

In the context of modern genealogical memory, cremation offers new possibilities for documenting and preserving family history. The ashes themselves can be preserved with other documents and heirlooms or even become artifacts of great symbolic value.

Family members may also choose to include instructions in their wills on how they wish their ashes to be treated, thereby including their wishes in the family narrative for future generations.

For example, last wills can indicate where a person would like their ashes scattered or at which columbarium they would like to find their final resting place.

 

The limits of genetic preservation

It’s important to note that despite the symbolic and emotional preservation that ashes represent, they don’t preserve traces of the deceased’s DNA. The intense heat of the cremation process completely destroys biological tissue, including DNA. So while ashes may represent a link with our ancestors, they don’t provide a means of retrieving genetic information.

This makes it all the more important to document and preserve family stories and histories in concrete ways, in addition to preserving the ashes, in order to ensure the continuity of genealogical memory.

 

Crématorium Montréal at your family’s service

With cremated remains, families forge indelible ties with those who came before them, making sure that their story will continue to resonate through the ages.

At Crématorium Montréal, our team of professionals can help you plan your pre-arrangements or organize the cremation of a deceased person.

Contact our team for assistance adapted to your reality.