Body donation is becoming more popular, but it’s still not as common as it could or should be. This is most likely because most people assume that their only two options for their bodies post-death are traditional burial and cremation services in Castro Valley, CA, or people put too much stock in body donation myths that aren’t based in fact.

Whether the body is used for research, transplants, or even both, body donation saves lives. Giving all or part of your body to help save others is noble and always appreciated. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), a full organ donor will either save or better the lives of 6 to 8 people, while a full tissue donor can better the lives of 50 or more people.

Even though body donation is so important, all most people know about it is based on myth. The following are 4 body donation myths and their truths to set the record straight.

• Body Donation Costs More – There is absolutely not cost to the donor or donor family involved in body donation. In fact, the organization that receives the body pays all related donation costs. For example, if it’s a transplant, the receiving patient’s insurance usually covers the cost. Or, if the body is being donated to a medical training facility, the facility furnishes all necessary costs.
• The Organization Won’t Respect The Body – Most people fear that their bodies will be disposed of in any way the organization feels after the donation is complete. This is not true. The majority of bodies donated are cremated after any procedures are completed. In fact, some medical facilities that get a lot of body donations often have a memorial service at the end of their training in recognition and respect for their donors. In many cases, the cremated remains can also be returned to the family, if they so choose.
• Donors Don’t Get Saved – A common way of thinking is that doctors and nurses don’t work as hard to save donors, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. When you’re in a hospital or doctor’s office, the medical professionals are only focused on helping you, not some amorphous donor. Organ and tissue donation is only considered when there is no other option to save or revive the potential donor in question.
• No One Wants a Sick Body – Don’t assume that a body won’t qualify as a donor because of disease or other sickness. Some diseases only affect one part of the body, making the rest totally viable. For example, someone that died of heart disease may still be able to donate his or her eyes. Let the professionals decide if your body is a prospect for donation.

Do you want to learn more about body donation, or about Castro Valley, CA cremation services? You can count on Deer Creek Funeral Service for experienced, compassionate and reliable service. Please visit us at 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, or give us a call at (510) 317-7890.

Many bereaved choose to bury their loved one’s remains after cremation services in Walnut Creek, CA. However, many of these families are unaware that they might be required to purchase a burial vault for said burial. Burial vaults are outside containers that hold a coffin or casket for burying full body in the ground. Their primary function is to protect the casket, and to help maintain the gravesite’s integrity so the surface doesn’t sink in.

Most active cemeteries do require burial vaults to keep the cemetery ground intact and safe. However, this requirement is not the law in most states. The majority of states to not have laws requiring burial vault containers for buried cremation urns, rather, it’s only the cemeteries that have the requirement.

Cemeteries can choose to require burial vaults for both caskets and urns to preserve the safety and beauty of their cemetery grounds, and to make sure their maintenance equipment is protected. Vaults offer more protection to the ground because as caskets and urns naturally break down and decompose over time, the earth on top of them settles and sinks. Although buried cremation urns cause this settling on a much smaller scale than caskets, most cemeteries do still require burial vaults for urns.

Burial vaults for both urns and caskets are made of durable materials that do not decompose, like metal, concrete or plastic. You can even find solid metal burial vaults. Like most things in life, the quality of the burial vault you choose mostly depends on the price. You can find basic, affordable burial vaults on websites like Amazon for less than $200, but the price only goes up for thicker, heavier, higher quality containers. If you want an ornate, decorated burial vault, you need to be prepared to shell out some serious cash.

If you desire a cemetery burial for your loved one but don’t have a big budget, you can save money by choosing a simpler urn and less ornate burial vault. As both will be buried, they don’t have to be ornate. If you desire, you can also buy a decorative urn to memorialize the deceased above ground.

According to California state law, graves using a non-permeable container, like a vault, must be buried at least 24” below the surface. Meaning, if the container is 12 inches high, then the hole is 36” inches deep. Some cemeteries allow a cremation urn to be buried in an existing grave, and allow the urn to be place on top of a previously buried vault. Some families prefer this, as it allows them to place loved ones together even in death.

Do you have more questions on burial, burial vaults, and Walnut Creek, CA cremation services? Deer Creek Funeral Service is here to help. Please visit us at 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, or give us a call at (510) 317-7890. We would love to help you learn more about burying cremated remains, as it is a great way for families to enjoy the flexibility and affordability of cremation while still creating a permanent resting place in a traditional cemetery.