When your loved one faces a lengthy sentence or has been sentenced to life or death, you will need to consider funeral planning to be prepared to handle your loved one's remains. Since incarcerated individuals often do not have significant resources, you may need to make decisions that are more economical.

Remaining Unclaimed

Most prison systems have a dedicated cemetery for people who have died in prison, regardless of the method of death. If your loved one is sentenced to death and has an execution date, you might have only a month or more to make preparations. The majority of prison deaths are through natural causes, so there may be little if any opportunities to plan for your loved one. Unclaimed deceased prisoners are often buried in a prison cemetery.

Each prison will have a unique process by which the person will be buried and identified. In some prison cemeteries, deceased inmates may have a grave marker, but it only has their prison identification number. There may be a special designation, such as an "X" after their number to show they were executed. Although loved ones often want something different for the deceased, financial concerns can mean a family intentionally leaves the person unclaimed because they cannot afford any other options.

Cremation

Cremation is a popular option when planning for a loved one that is incarcerated. Not only is it less expensive than burial, but it also helps families overcome additional hurdles that may come with burying their loved ones. If your loved one dies abruptly, this may be the only financially feasible option. Other concerns include the location of the prison where your loved one was incarcerated. It is quite common for people to be incarcerated in prisons far away from their families. If a loved one is incarcerated in the federal prison system, they are typically not in their home state.

Bringing your loved one's body across the state or in some instances, to another country, is extremely expensive and often not practical for many families. Cremation is not only less expensive but it can be a way to bring your loved one home and bury them with the rest of their family without the exorbitant cost. When the only other option available is having your loved one buried at a prison cemetery, cremation is often preferred because it is symbolic of the person being released from incarceration, rather than staying there forever.

Having an incarcerated loved one is emotionally taxing, but not having the financial resources to cover their burial can make the situation worse. There are options beyond a traditional burial that are more cost-effective. To learn more about funeral and burial options, contact a funeral home service in your area.