About Cremation

Cremation is an alternative to burial or entombment; however, it does not limit the funeral or memorialization options in any way. Should you choose cremation, you will still have the same memorial options as someone who has chosen casket burial.

What Is Cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing the body to bone fragments by applying intense heat for a period of two to three hours, after which the cremated remains, which are commonly referred to as “ashes”, are removed from the cremation chamber. They are then processed into finer fragments and placed into an urn or temporary container. The cremated remains typically weigh between three and six pounds.

Where And When Does Cremation Take Place?

Cremations occur in a special furnace called a cremation chamber or retort, commonly referred to as a crematory.

Cremation can take place only after the cremation authorization has been signed by the individual(s) legally authorized to sign the document and once the cremation permit has been issued by the State Medical Examiner.

Do We Need To Buy A Casket If We Select Cremation?

The deceased must be placed into a rigid, combustible container prior to cremation. There are many options for cremation caskets and alternative containers available to choose from, the most appropriate choice will be determined based on personal preference and what type of service you select.

Can We Place Personal Mementos In The Casket Prior To Cremation?

Absolutely. Personal items may be placed in the casket and cremated with your loved one. Keep in mind that some items that are not easily combustible (batteries, electronics, heavy plastics, etc.) must be removed prior to cremation. In most cases, non-combustible items can be placed in the urn after cremation is complete.

All items left in the casket will be destroyed during the cremation. Your funeral director can advise you on what items may stay and what items must be removed.

Do We Need To Have A Funeral If We Select Cremation?

Many people are surprised to hear that selecting cremation does not eliminate the possibility of having a funeral service. The choice is entirely up to you and your family.

While some families opt to have a service following the completion of the cremation process, other families choose

to have a traditional viewing (with casket) and funeral service before cremation takes place. Either option is available to you and is completely up to your personal preference.

Is Embalming Required?

Embalming is not required by law, except under certain circumstances. If you prefer an open casket with visitation prior to the service, embalming may be required.

What Is An Urn?

An urn is a container designed to hold cremated remains. An urn may be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, bronze, porcelain, or even glass.

We have a large selection of urns available designed to reflect the lifestyle and personality of an individual. Urns may be personalized by engraving and also come in a variety of sizes, which allows for more than one member of the family to have a portion of the cremated remains.

Options For Cremated Remains:

Burial: An urn containing the cremated remains may be buried in an existing cemetery plot, or a new plot may be purchased.

Inurnment: An urn containing the cremated remains may be placed in a niche in an above-ground structure called a columbarium. This could be located outside or inside.

Shipping: You may wish for the cremated remains to be shipped to another state or country. The funeral home may be able to assist you in obtaining any additional documentation that may be required for shipment and, in some cases, the funeral home can facilitate the shipment of the urn.

Scattering and Cremation Gardens: Many of our cemeteries have areas on the grounds designed for scattering cremated remains called ‘cremation gardens’.

If you elect to scatter elsewhere, it is important to remember that once scattering has taken place, the cremated remains are irretrievable. Properties that are not dedicated for scattering may be bought and sold over time, which could make it impossible to visit the scattering site in the future.

Keep in mind that scattering on public property may offend some people and that there may be laws prohibiting scattering in certain areas; be sure to obtain authority before scattering cremated remains in a non-designated scattering area.

Keeping: Some families prefer to have the urn at home.

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