FAQs About Keeping Cremains at Home

December 27, 2022

Wondering what to do with your loved one’s cremains after their cremation service in Morrison, IL ? There are many options for what you can do with a loved one’s cremated remains, from scattering and burying them to interring them in a columbarium. You can also keep cremated remains at home. 

Here are answers to common questions for more information: 

  1. Can you keep cremated remains at home? Yes, you can keep cremate remains at home. There is nothing weird, harmful, or unsafe about keeping cremated remains in your home. Cremated ashes are clean and sanitary. The process of cremation has eliminated any potential contamination. What’s more, cremains are kept secure in a bag, making it very difficult for someone to tamper with them or spill them.  
  2. Is it bad luck to keep cremains in your house? It’s easy to understand why some people might think it’s bad luck to keep cremated remains in their house, but it’s not. Certain religions or belief systems might discourage keeping cremains in a home, but that doesn’t mean its unlucky. Others might feel keeping cremains at home will bring in a bad energy, but still others find it makes them feel better to have their loved one close. It all depends on personal preferences and beliefs.  
  3. Is it legal to keep cremated remains in a house? It is not illegal to keep cremated remains in a house. There are also no laws against scattering or burying cremains on your personal property.  
  4. Does the Bible say anything about keeping cremains at home? The Bible neither advocates nor condemns the act of cremation or keeping your loved one’s cremated remains in your home. The closest thing to keeping cremains at home that the Bible mentions is the story of King Saul’s men burning his son’s bodies to cleanse them and respect their memories.  
  5. How long can ashes be kept after cremation? Cremated remains are sterile and static, meaning they don’t have any bacteria and will not decompose. This is because the high heat used to cremate the body is hot enough to kill bacteria and rapidly break down any substances that would decompose naturally over time. Therefore, you can keep cremated remains as long as you’d like.  
  6. Can the funeral home dispose of the ashes for me? Some funeral homes and crematories will dispose of cremated remains for you, but you must give them clear instructions as to what you want done with the remains.  
  7. What do you do if you don’t want the cremated remains? If you don’t want the deceased’s cremains, you can either have someone else bury them, scatter them, or otherwise inter them or you can leave them at the crematory or funeral home for them to dispose of.  

Do you have more questions about cremation services ? We are here to help if you want to learn more about keeping cremated remains at home or about Morrison, IL cremation services. Give us a call or pay us a visit for more information on our services and what we can do for you in your time of loss.  

Pink cherry blossoms on branches against clear blue sky, cremation services Amboy, IL
May 4, 2026
Memorial options that reflect personal stories with cremation services Amboy, IL. Create a meaningful tribute that honors life and supports healing.
Close-up soft yellow flowers with delicate petals against warm background, funeral homes Amboy, IL
May 4, 2026
Burial services that offer comfort and healing with funeral homes Amboy, IL guidance. See how a meaningful service can support your family today.
Lit candle beside sympathy cards and soft blanket, symbolizing remembrance, cremation services Morri
April 27, 2026
Create a meaningful playlist that honors memories and connection with cremation services Morrison, IL families trust with Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation.
Pink tulips blooming in garden bed with green lawn, symbolizing remembrance, funeral homes Morrison,
April 20, 2026
Thoughtful vault personalization adds meaning and unity to services with funeral homes Morrison, IL families rely on.
Two lit candles in glass holders on rustic surface, symbolizing remembrance, cremation services Fult
April 13, 2026
Meaningful urn choices help preserve memories and create lasting connections with cremation services Fulton, IL families trust.
Small yellow flowers in warm sunlight with soft background, symbolizing remembrance, funeral homes F
April 6, 2026
See how caskets support meaningful tributes, family comfort, and personal expression with guidance from funeral homes Fulton, IL families can trust.
cremation services Amboy, IL
March 23, 2026
Bringing loved ones together after direct cremation with cremation services Amboy, IL that help families plan meaningful memorial gatherings.
funeral homes Amboy, IL
March 16, 2026
Choosing the setting for final goodbyes together and how funeral homes Amboy, IL help families create healing services at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation.
cremation services Morrison, IL
March 9, 2026
Making a Cremation with Memorial Truly Special and how cremation services Morrison, IL help families create meaningful, personalized tributes.
funeral homes Morrison, IL
March 2, 2026
The Role of Memorial Ceremonies and how funeral homes Morrison, IL help families create meaningful tributes that honor life and support healing.