Ajax Crematorium and Visitation Centre Inc; helping the community prepare for a loved one’s departure

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

On Sunday, October 6^th, 2019 from 12pm–2pm, Ajax Crematorium invited the Durham community to the crematorium to learn more about their services, and to help the community expand their options when it came to preparing for the departure of a loved one.

The practice of cremation has been a part of many cultures and societies around the world, with early evidence of cremation being found in Australia dating back some 42,000 years. Cremation is practiced in: China, Latin America, Europe, Africa and North America. Although it is found all around the world, there has been some resistance to the practice of cremation, especially in parts of Africa.  When putting a loved one to rest, the preference in most African cultures is burial. The common belief is that when people die, they meet with their ancestors; with this in mind, the body must be respected and presented well so that when they arrive to meet their ancestors, they are whole and complete. On the other side of things, for cultures that practice Hinduism, cremation is believed to help with transmigration, which is the separation of the body from the soul. It is believed that transmigration was necessary in order for the soul to enter a new body, and carry on a new life.

Regardless of your belief system, cremations have now become an option when deciding on how to transition; cremation is practiced in a majority of the countries around the world, however you will find that the rates of cremation vary depending on what part of the world you live in. I have never really considered how I want to transition when my time comes, but I thought I would see what Ajax Crematorium was offering. It is easy to say, “No, I just want to be buried,” because that was how I was raised, but I am a strong believer in thinking outside your own mental box; could cremation be something worth considering.

Jitinder Singh Bal is the Managing Funeral Director at Ajax Crematorium, and he and his team have created a space where a family who has decided on cremation can plan a meaningful memorial for a loved one in a relaxed, rational way. Once the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, the only thing left to do is to get authorization from the person who is legally identified or appointed as next-of-kin. Once the authorization has been given and the paperwork is signed, there are some other things that need to be considered:

• What would you like to include in the cremation casket?
• Are there special clothes that you would like your loved one to wear, or that they may have requested?
• Are there any keepsake items you would like to include?
• Would you or our family members like to be present during the cremation process?
• How would you like to store your loved ones remains?

They have even taken it a step further by offering online memorials. The Book of Memories™ was created by a team of award-winning web developers and designers, and it is intended to provide families with a permanent place to pay tribute to their loved ones. It has been created as a fully interactive archive of treasured photographs, that you can invite others to visit online. Visitors can upload their favourite images, share stories, write heart-felt messages, send floral tributes, or make a charitable donation in the memory of a loved one.

The passing of a loved is sad, but it can also be viewed as a way to say goodbye and celebrate life; we are all a part of the cycle we call life, and it is good to know that there are dedicated individuals in the community who are willing to share insight and experience to fully support you in making end-of-life decisions. Call to schedule an appointment or by visiting them at https://www.acvc.info/