Traditional Cremation Chicago
Affordable Direct Cremations in Northern Cook County, Lake County, and East McHenry County.
Traditional cremation delivers a respectful, compassionate service, honoring your loved one with care and dignity.
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What is Traditional Cremation?
Traditional cremation, also known as full-service cremation, offers a comprehensive approach to honoring your loved one. This service typically includes a viewing or visitation, where family and friends can gather to pay their respects, followed by the cremation itself. A memorial service may also be included, allowing for personalized tributes and a chance to celebrate the life lived.
Throughout the process, we ensure that every detail is handled with care and respect, providing you and your family with the support needed during this difficult time. This service gives you the flexibility to create a meaningful farewell, blending tradition with personalization.
Our Traditional Cremation Services Explained
A traditional cremation service allows families to choose between a viewing before the funeral or starting directly with the service. If a viewing is selected, loved ones can gather to honor the deceased before the funeral. In either case, the deceased remains intact throughout, ensuring a respectful experience.
This service is typically more expensive than direct cremation due to additional elements like the viewing, funeral ceremony, casket rental, and other arrangements.
Casket Options
Families can choose between purchasing or renting a casket for the service. A rental casket is a cost-effective option, particularly if the body will be cremated after the service. Funeral homes offer a range of casket options, ensuring that each family can select the one that best suits their needs and preferences.
Viewing and Funeral Service
Families can decide whether they would like a visitation or viewing before the funeral service. If a viewing is preferred, it allows loved ones the chance to say their final goodbyes in a more personal setting.
If they wish to skip the viewing, the funeral service can proceed directly. During either option, the deceased will remain intact and properly cared for, just as in a traditional funeral. The funeral home will assist with the entire service, offering support with ceremony planning, arranging visitation (if desired), and coordinating details like flowers, catering, visitor books, and prayer cards.
Cremation Process
After the funeral service, the body is respectfully transported to the crematory. The cremation process is carried out with the utmost care and professionalism. Once the cremation is complete, the cremains (ashes) are returned to the family, allowing them to keep or memorialize them in a meaningful way.
Throughout the traditional cremation process, the funeral home ensures that all arrangements are handled with the highest level of respect and dignity. Families are supported every step of the way, ensuring a compassionate and respectful farewell for their loved one.
Cremation Services for Your Loved Ones
Types of Cremation Options We Offer
Families must select one of the two cremation options listed below for their loved
one’s final disposition (not included in base costs).
Flame cremation, also known as fire cremation, involves placing the deceased into a high-temperature retort, where intense heat reduces the body to ashes. This method is popular for its simplicity and efficiency, providing a respectful and dignified process. It holds cultural and religious significance for many, offering families a meaningful way to honor their loved ones. Flame cremation remains one of the most trusted and widely used options for the final disposition of human remains.
Water cremation, also known as aquamation, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flame-based cremation. This method uses a heated alkaline water solution to gently break down the body, leaving behind the cremated remains, or cremains, which can be returned to the family or nature. As a more sustainable option, water cremation in Illinois is gaining popularity among families seeking a greener way to honor their loved ones. While water cremation costs can vary, it is generally considered a more environmentally responsible choice with a similar price range to traditional cremation.
The Benefits of Traditional Cremation
List of Services
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Provides Funeral ServiceList Item 1
A traditional cremation service includes a funeral ceremony, allowing families to gather and say their final goodbyes. This service provides an opportunity for loved ones to grieve together and celebrate the life of the deceased, creating a meaningful farewell.
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More Affordable Than Traditional BurialList Item 2
Traditional cremation is typically more affordable than a traditional burial service. With lower costs for things like caskets, burial plots, and headstones, families can honor their loved one while keeping expenses more manageable.
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Peace of MindList Item 3
For many religious groups, traditional cremation offers peace of mind by providing a familiar funeral service without the need for a burial. It allows families to follow established rituals and practices while embracing the more cost-effective and space-saving option of cremation, respecting both spiritual traditions and practical needs.
Pre-Planning Your Cremation
Planning ahead can reduce stress for your family members when the time comes. Pre-planning your cremation allows you to express your final wishes, ensuring they are respected. By making these decisions now, you take the burden off your loved ones and give them peace of mind during a difficult time.
How to Pre-Plan
Simple, online pre-planning form
You can fill out a straightforward pre-planning form from the comfort of your own home.
Convenience
Plan your cremation without needing to visit the funeral home. You can manage everything online.
Contacting Oakwood
If you need help or have questions about the process, our team is available to assist you every step of the way.
Testimonials
Our Service Areas
We proudly serve Northern Cook County, Lake County, and East McHenry County.
Why Choose Oakwood Cremations for Traditional Cremation?
Oakwood Cremations is a family-owned business with extensive experience in providing traditional cremation services. We are committed to offering affordable, compassionate care to families throughout the Chicago area. By handling every step of the traditional cremation process ourselves, we eliminate the need for third-party involvement, ensuring a smooth and personal experience. Our focus is on delivering exceptional service at a reasonable cost, always maintaining the highest respect for your loved one and your family during this difficult time.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions families ask about traditional cremation:
How is traditional cremation different from direct cremation?
Traditional cremation involves a funeral service, which may include a viewing, ceremony, and a memorial before the cremation. In contrast, direct cremation skips these steps and goes straight to the cremation process, often without a formal service or viewing, making it a simpler and more cost-effective option.
How do traditional cremation services work?
Traditional cremation services typically involve a viewing or visitation, followed by a funeral ceremony where family and friends can gather to honor the deceased. After the service, the body is transferred to the crematory for cremation. The cremated remains, or cremains, are then returned to the family for safekeeping or further memorialization.
Who are traditional cremation services good for?
Traditional cremation services are ideal for families who wish to have a formal ceremony, allowing them to gather and pay their respects in a meaningful way. It is especially suited for those who want a blend of cremation with the option for a more traditional funeral experience.
How much does traditional cremation cost?
The cost of traditional cremation can vary depending on the services chosen, such as the type of casket, viewing, ceremony, and other arrangements. Generally, it is more affordable than traditional burial but tends to be more expensive than direct cremation due to the additional services provided. Contact your local provider for specific pricing details.
