The Role of Ashes in Preserving Genealogical Memory
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.
READ MOREWriting an Obituary: a Guide to Effectively Informing the Community and Loved Ones
When a loved one dies, one of the first steps is to inform the community and loved ones of his or her death. Writing an obituary can be a difficult task in such times of grief. Nevertheless, an obituary is also a way of paying tribute to the deceased and sharing that person’s memory with those who knew and loved them.
Here are a few tips for writing a respectful and meaningful obituary that will also effectively inform those around you following the death of a loved one.
Start with the essential information
In the first few lines of the obituary, it’s essential to include the following information about the deceased:
- Full name
- Age at time of death
- Date of death
These details are essential to clearly identify the person whose death you are announcing. If the person’s last name changed as a result of marriage, you can include a note to that effect. Be sure to carefully check the spelling of names and dates in order to avoid any confusion.
Include details about the deceased’s life
After stating the basic information, it’s appropriate to share details about the deceased’s life. This section can include his or her achievements, interests, hobbies, activities or any other facts that shaped his or her life journey.
For example, if the deceased was an avid volunteer in his or her community, you could mention the causes that were close to his or her heart. If he or she had a successful career, you could mention professional achievements.
Share details of the funeral or celebration of life
If you wish, you can also include information about the funeral or celebration of life in the obituary. Mention the location, date and time of the event as well as any specific instructions, such as requests for charitable donations or dress code guidelines.
Express the family’s wishes
It’s important to respect the family’s wishes regarding the disclosure of additional information. If the family prefers not to receive flowers or would like donations to be made to a specific cause, be sure to clearly state this in the obituary notice.
You can also include information on how the family wishes to be contacted by those who want to express their condolences or offer their support.
Be mindful of readers’ sensitivities
When writing an obituary, bear in mind that readers may be in a period of grief themselves, so choose your words carefully. Adopt a respectful, empathetic tone that reflects your love for the deceased.
For example, avoid overly technical or formal terms that may seem impersonal. Instead, use warm expressions that capture the essence of the person you are honouring.
Add meaningful anecdotes
Memories and anecdotes can add a personal touch to your obituary. Share memorable moments or traits of character unique to the deceased in order to honour his or her memory in an authentic way.
For example, you could tell a funny story about a family trip or a life lesson that the deceased taught you. These memories allow readers to recall the departed loved one with tenderness and affection.
Have someone look over your obituary
Before you publish the obituary, have a trusted family member or friend look it over to make sure it’s error-free and appropriately conveys the information you want to share.
Thorough re-reading can help you detect any inaccuracies or omissions and ensure that the obituary accurately reflects the memory of the deceased.
In short
Remember that every obituary is unique and reflects the life and legacy of the deceased. By choosing your words carefully and sharing meaningful memories, you will create a heartfelt tribute to the person you’ve lost.
The Crématorium Montréal team can assist you in every step of the process following the death of a loved one, including the drafting of an obituary that effectively informs the community and loved ones, while honouring the memory of your loved one.
Here is a sample obituary that you can use as a guide:
In or at [place of death], on [date of death], [name of deceased] [name at birth, if applicable] passed away, at the age of [age of deceased]. [He/She] is survived by [his/her spouse or husband/wife] [first name, if applicable], children [first names, if applicable], grandchildren [first names, if applicable], parents [full names, if applicable], brothers and sisters [full names, if applicable] and a number of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends [if applicable].
[Name of deceased] was known for [qualities or personality traits]. [His/her] way of [anecdote] is a memory we will always cherish.
The family will hold a [farewell ceremony/celebration of life] on [date], at [time], at [location and complete address].
The [cremation/burial ceremony] will take place on [date], at [time], at [location and complete address].
In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to [name of organization] in memory of [name of deceased].
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