Month: October 2019

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What to Consider When Choosing a Cemetery

louis cicalese cemetery landscape

Choosing a cemetery can feel daunting and overwhelming, however, when you know what characteristics to consider, it can make the decision process a little easier. If you have already discussed burial wishes with your loved ones prior to passing, then the decision will be less difficult. If you have not, here’s a list of attributes to think about when making your final decision.

Location

You or your loved ones may have a specific or general location in mind to be buried. Many people want to be buried close to home, or maybe in a location that some of their family has been laid to rest in. If there are multiple cemetery options for your situation, you may want to consider taking a trip to each one to view the grounds. You should think about which one feels right and which one you would feel good about visiting your loved ones in.

Type of Cemetery

There are four main types of cemeteries: public, religious, district or municipal, and national or veterans’ cemeteries. Each type of cemetery meets different specific needs.

  1. Public Cemeteries

Public cemeteries are the most common type of cemetery. They are usually for-profit and run corporately or independently. These can be found through word of mouth, local funeral homes, or through online search.

  1. Religious Cemeteries

These cemeteries are usually non-profit and run by religious organizations. If you are interested in a religious cemetery, contact your local church, synagogue, or mosque to find a location that’s right for you.

  1. District or Municipal Cemeteries

These are non-profit cemeteries owned by the city or county. You can find these types of cemeteries by contacting your town clerk or city hall.

  1. National or Veterans’ Cemeteries

These types of cemeteries are government-run and created for veterans and their families. If you are interested in a location like this, your local funeral home may be able to help you make those arrangements.

Costs

It is important to consider all present and future costs of a cemetery location before choosing one. Make sure you ask for a price list that includes all present and future costs.

Louis Cicalese, cemetery trustee in New Jersey is president of the board of the historic Harleigh Cemetery and serves as an advisor to a number of non-profit cemetery organizations in New Jersey.

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What is a Green Burial?

louis cicalese cemetery land

With the current state that our planet is in, it is important to think about sustainability and our environmental impact in everything we do in life. However, it is also important to think about our environmental impact on our planet even after we pass away. With environmental consciousness becoming more and more common, people are starting to consider alternate burial options, such as green burials, instead of traditional types of burials.

Green Burial Details

With a green burial, the body does not require any chemicals, such as embalming fluids, and it is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud without a concrete burial vault. Burying the body in this way allows for complete decomposition and the natural return to soil.

The Benefits of a Green Burial

  1. Simplicity

Green burials that use a biodegradable coffin or shroud are very simple compared to traditional burials that require a large, heavy coffin. Those who like to keep things simple would prefer a green burial over a more traditional coffin.

  1. Less Expensive

The costs of embalming, caskets, and concrete vaults are not required for a green burial meaning that those costs are eliminated. Without these costs, families can save thousands of dollars.

  1. Preserving Natural Resources

Green burials use fewer natural resources than a traditional burial. Traditional burials require a large amount of hardwood, steel, copper, and concrete which very little, if any, is required for a green burial.

  1. Removes Harmful Chemicals

Embalming fluids contain formaldehyde which is a respiratory irritant and carcinogen. With green burials, this harmful chemical is eliminated from the burial process.

  1. Saving Natural Areas

Green cemeteries can help save natural habitats and do not require the elimination of trees.

All our cemetery locations provide the option of green burials. If you are interested in learning more about the burial services offered at Louis Cicalese cemeteries, you can contact us to learn more.

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