Category: Cemeteries in New Jersey

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Is Traditional Burial or Cremation Right for Your Loved One?

purple flowers growing in a cemetery

Cremation is the process of turning a deceased human body into “ashes” through a process of exposure to open flames which have extreme heat, ultimately causing evaporation. Although this may sound out of the ordinary, it is actually one of the most common and accepted methods of honoring the deceased. It can be difficult to choose between cremation and a traditional burial as they both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, but hopefully the explanation below will help make the decision a little easier.

Differences Between a Traditional Burial & Cremation

There are many factors to consider when choosing an honorary ceremony for your deceased loved ones. One major deciding factor can often be the monetary cost of the process. Cremation is usually significantly less expensive than a traditional burial because it doesn’t require embalming or a permanent casket. On the other hand, for some a traditional burial is more desirable due to the natural decomposition of the human body, as opposed to the relatively quick process of cremation. Another important difference between cremation and traditional burial is the memorial process. While one is not necessarily better than another, each family has their own preference.

How to Know Which is Right for Your Family?

Only you and your family can decide what the right choice is for honoring your loved one. Although there are some important factors to consider, such as the costs, the only one that can make the right decision is your family, as they are both fantastic ways to memorialize loved ones.

If you would like to learn more about the types of burial services we offer or if you have any additional questions, please contact Louis Cicalese, Cemetery President and Trustee today.

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 Mausoleum?

mausoleum-at-louis-cicalese-cemetery

All over the world descendants from different backgrounds and cultures have found unique ways to honor their recently departed family members and loved ones. Though various honorary ceremonies have been created throughout history, one common and interesting practice has remained prominent through time: the mausoleum.

How is a Mausoleum Different Than a Grave?

Although a variety of buildings, structures, and other locations can be considered mausoleums, the general definition is a building built to enclose an interment or house the deceased. All throughout mausoleums are compartments where caskets are stored, as opposed to a traditional ground burial. Some mausoleums have underground components, but the most common are strictly above ground. This is often preferable to family members of the deceased as the casket remains will stay dry, whereas moisture can be a common issue in traditional cemeteries with a ground burial.

What Makes Mausoleums Desirable?

Mausoleums have plenty of advantages that make them sought after beyond just the ability to keep the caskets entombed within it dry. One major advantage of mausoleums is the ecological impact they have. Since they are built with multiple floors and have strategically organized compartments for the caskets, the amount of land required is significantly less than a cemetery. Another advantage is the ability to visit the site of a deceased love one in comfort year-round, due to the interior being protected from poor weather and temperature conditions. Mausoleums can be a simpler and less expensive overall than an in-ground burial, which also gives them a financial advantage over traditional burials. Finally, some mausoleums even have appropriate music to fill the background as well as benches to rest on.

If you would like to learn more about mausoleums or if you have any additional questions, please contact Louis Cicalese, Cemetery President and Trustee today.

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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Three Ways to Calm Your Anxiety from Funerals

sad woman with anxiety

It is natural to feel overwhelmed when attending a funeral. Funerals are a very intense time, especially if the death was unexpected. Whether you attend a funeral or not is ultimately your decision, however, if you want to learn how to fight back from the anxiety you feel and show up, here are three ways to cope with the anxiety.

  1. Open Up to Someone

Bottling up your anxiety and fear does not make it go away, it just makes the feeling stronger. One way to calm your nerves is expressing yourself to a close friend or family member. Many funeral directors offer support and guidance to get people through a funeral, so it might be worth it to reach out to them.

  1. Remember That it’s Okay to Show Emotion

Many people are not comfortable showing intense emotions or grief, but just remember that it’s okay to do so. You don’t have to hide or suppress your feelings at a funeral. This is the time to express your grief and get support from those around you.

  1. Practice Self-Care

Anxiety is just one of the many emotional and physical results of grief. When grieving, you may experience the inability to sleep, eat, or you may feel physically sick. To prepare for a funeral, practice mindfulness or take a soothing bath to help calm yourself down.

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.

Source: Funeral Guide

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The Burial Process: What You Should Know

tombstones at Weehawken Cemetery

The passage of a loved one is a very emotional time and all the decision-making involved can leave you confused, frustrated, and looking for answers. When making decisions for your loved one, you may need more information on the choices you have to make. Here is some information that can help you when choosing what is best for you and your loved one.

What is a Burial Vault?

A burial vault is an optional part of the burial process. Burial vaults encase the casket, protecting it from heavy machinery used in cemeteries, and of course, the earth above it. The benefits of a burial vault are that it prevents the casket from buckling due to the weight of the ground and decay. Burial vaults prevent the ground from sinking above the casket, keeping the grounds pristine for visitation.

What is Cremation?

Cremation in an alternative type of body disposal to coffins or caskets. After the remains are incinerated in a cremation chamber, what is left are the basic chemical compounds which include gases, ashes, and mineral fragments, otherwise known as cremains. The cremains are usually kept in an urn or special container. Some may choose to bury the ashes, while others keep the urns in their homes.

What is a Green Burial?

Green burials are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burials. There are no chemicals involved, such as embalming fluids, and the body is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud without a concrete burial vault. The benefits of this type of burial are that it is a simple burial process, it can be less expensive than traditional burials, it preserves natural resources, it removes harmful chemicals, and it saves natural areas.

If you want to learn more about the information above or if you have any additional questions, please contact Louis Cicalese, Cemetery President and Trustee today.

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 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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The History of Cremations

Louis Cicalese Cemeteries

The Beginning

Historians estimate that cremations have been around since the Stone Age around 3000 B.C. and was presented to Westerners by the Greeks. In ancient history, cremation was seen as an honorable way to go after battle, but it went through ups and downs in popularity. For example, cremation became frowned upon by the Catholic church due to the concept of resurrection after death but was again accepted after Pope Paul VI lifted the ban in 1963.

Cremations Now

Cremation remains a popular choice upon death for a variety of reasons. Cremation offers more flexibility in space, price, and even mobility. Being cremated into ashes gives families an opportunity to easily personalize their loved ones final resting place by holding the ashes in multiple places or customizing an urn. Many individuals have wishes to be spread across mountains, be planted as trees, or even made into a diamond, which to some sounds more appealing than being buried. However, burial options are still available for those cremated individuals who wish to be buried with other loved ones.

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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Reasons to Visit a Cemetery

louis cicalese cemetery

Although visiting a cemetery when you’re not required to may seem like a grave idea, there is more to gain for those who decide to visit on their own time.

Learning About History

At burial grounds, there are plenty of passed individuals with complex stories just like ours. Taking note of the names you pass and researching history about them at your local library can be one of the best ways to learn about previous generations and connect to the town you currently live in or are visiting.

Quiet Reflection

Many of those who visit cemeteries say they find their time there very peaceful. With plenty of greenery and statues, cemeteries are ideal for quiet reflection. For many, it is a humbling experience that gives them opportunity to realize that time on Earth isn’t forever and helps them prioritize what really matters.

Pay Your Respects

At the heart, cemeteries are places to honor those that have passed. Visiting relatives can help you feel closer to them and is often an important part of the grieving process. Whether or not you have or had loved ones in the service, consider observing military graves. Observing those who laid their life down for their country is one way to show appreciation and gratitude.

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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The Cost Benefits of Mausoleums vs. In-Ground Burials

Louis Cicalese Cemetery

Finding the proper ceremony and type of burial can feel overwhelming, especially when you are feeling the grief of losing a loved one. There are many things to consider when deciding what is best for your loved one and each person comes with a unique set of needs. Mausoleums and in-ground burials are two options for your family, and they both come with different characteristics.

Which One is Right for You?

There are many things to consider with in-ground burials. Graves, burial vaults, cement foundations, headstones, and monuments all vary in options and costs. The expense of burial vaults and cement foundations should not be overlooked because they protect the caskets and the ground from shifting. All of these expenses and decisions can become overwhelming, which has led many families to choose mausoleums. Mausoleums are not just for the wealthy, in fact, the biggest benefit of mausoleums is that it can be simpler and less-expensive than an in-ground burial overall. With mausoleums, there is no need to purchase a vault, a cement foundation, or a headstone because that is all included.

Ultimately, it is up to your family to decide what is best for you and your loved one. There are many things to consider, but we are here to help guide you in the direction that is best for you.

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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Well-Known People Buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden, New Jersey

Walt Whitman

Harleigh Cemetery is a magnificent historic cemetery and crematory located in Collingswood and Camden, New Jersey.  Established in 1885 and set on over 150 acres with rolling hills, lakes, and thousands of trees, it is the final resting place for hundreds of venerated individuals. Here are a few graves to visit to pay your respects.

Walt Whitman

Poet and author of acclaimed “Leaves of Grass”, Walt Whitman took great care in designing his final resting place and is visited by many each year. Whitman is remembered for his contributions to literature as the father of free verse and as a transcendentalist.

Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman’s grave at Harleigh Cemetery

George C. Burling

As a Union Army officer in the Civil War, George C. Burling was instrumental in the Battle of Gettysburg. He organized several militias and his contributions to the army are longlasting. Burling is buried among several other Civil War heroes.

Charlie Rice

American Jazz drummer Charlie Rice played among Jazz’s most prominent stars, including John Coltrane, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and Chet Baker. Rice was born in Philadelphia at a time when Jazz was spreading like wildfire across the country. He died at the age of 98 in 2018.

Ella Reeve Bloor

Also known as “Mother Bloor”, she was a rebellious political organizer born in 1862. She was instrumental in the women’s suffrage movement and was a prolific essayist in the socialist, labor, and communist movements.

Nick Virgilio

The reason many Americans know the poetry form, Haiku, is likely to Nick Virgilio’s credit. Virgilio popularized the Japanese poetry style throughout the twentieth century and was often featured on radio shows. His famous poem “Lily” is engraved on his headstone. Learn more about Nick Virgilio.

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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