Not quite. But cremation is definitely becoming more popular. And Summie Carter, co-owner of Summersett Funeral Home, says it was simply a matter of time before the option came to Rowan County.

“It’s just something we felt a need for in the future,” Carter says. “Now, as it’s becoming more popular, we’re positioned to better serve families.”

Summersett christened its $80,000 cremation facility for business on June 1 with its first cremation. In less than a month, Summersett’s has handled 10 cremations.

Carter says that, because of cost issues and growing popularity with younger generations, cremation requests are rising. Until now, though, with the opening of the facilities at Summersett and Evergreen Cremations Services (see related article), Rowan County residents have not had that option locally.

In the past, if a family requested cremation, Summersett would send the body to Concord for the process and bring the remains back for a religious service. Now, with a crematorium and funeral home under one roof, Carter says there is less stress involved, both mental and financial.

“We felt that customers wanted the service locally, to be able to take care of all the arrangements here at home rather than sending their loved ones out of town,” Carter said. “We want people to know that if they want to, we do have the ability to serve them right on the premises.”

Plans for the crematorium had actually been in the making for a long time. The structure that houses the equipment was built almost a year ago. Soon after, Carter ordered the equipment from Industrial Equipment and Engineering Co. out of Orlando, Fla. Unlike the facility at Evergreen, which is not associated with a funeral home, Carter wanted to keep the crematorium in conjunction with Summersett.

Summersett offers all types of urns, cremation caskets and keepsake items. Carter says he makes sure families are aware of all the choices.

“You can have a memorial service with the ashes and then the funeral. You can have a memorial service with the body, cremate the body and then have the funeral. If you wanted to just have the cremation and then spread the ashes, we’ll do that, too,” he says.

Carter says the important thing is making sure the family celebrates their loved one in the way that will best memorialize them.