Cremation

Cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body’s final disposition. However, cremation often follows a traditional funeral service.

Cremation is selected for many reasons ranging from religious beliefs or ethnic customs to cost. Cremation should not be selected in an attempt to hasten or circumvent the grieving process, which is a necessary part of re-adjusting to life after death, and to coping with the great sense of pain and loss that one experiences.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about cremation.

Is cremation common?

Cremation is the second most common form of disposition in the United States. In other countries, such as England and Japan, cremation is the most common.

There are a variety of options for the final disposition of cremated remains. Urns or other containers may be placed in a niche at a columbarium, a structure or room designed to contain cremated remains. Families may elect to bury the urn in a family plot or cemetery or keep it in another place of personal significance, such as the home.

Subject to some restrictions, cremated remains can be scattered by air, over the ground or over water. Your Funeral Director can advise about allowable practices in your community.

Some form of memorialization often accompanies scattering of cremated remains. Most people find consolation knowing there is a specific place to visit when they wish to remember and feel close to the person they have lost. Regardless of the disposition option selected for the cremated remains, families should choose one that best fits their emotional needs.

Why do people choose cremation?

Cremation is selected for many reasons ranging from religious beliefs or ethnic customs to cost. Cremation, or any other funeral service option, should not be selected in an attempt to hasten or circumvent the grieving process, which is a necessary part of re-adjusting to life after death has delivered a great sense of pain and loss.

Some reasons for choosing cremation include:
Simplicity Economics Religious and ethnic customs Environmental concerns Memorial options Flexibility in planning funeral services

What happens during the cremation process?

During the actual cremation, the casket or cremation container is brought to the crematory, where it is placed in a cremation chamber. The chamber is heated to an extremely high temperature. After several hours, the intense heat reduces the casket or cremation container, as well as the remains, to small bone fragments. The remains are then placed in a processor and reduced to "ashes." The cremated remains then are placed in an urn or temporary container and returned to the family.

Many families believe that choosing cremation means limiting your options.  The families we serve have instead found that opting for cremation gives them the opportunity to create and personalize the various service options for a more meaningful experience. Services or ceremonies can precede or follow the actual cremation. Prior to cremation, there may be a viewing, and/or a traditional funeral. This can be either public or private, with an open or closed casket.  Our funeral home offers a complete selection of cremation options and products.  After cremation has taken place, we will gladly assist you in final disposition of your loved ones’ cremated remains, whether it is earth burial, scattering, or placing in a place of prominence.

1. Complete Funeral Service

• Friends and family are invited to visit the funeral home to pay their respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the family.
• Visitation provides time for sharing and remembrance and is followed by a funeral ceremony at a place of worship or community gathering hall.
• Following the funeral ceremony, the deceased is transported to the crematory for cremation.
• Following the cremation, arrangements are made with the family for the return of cremated remains and a committal service where the deceased is placed in their final resting place.

2. Memorial Service

• Family and friends are invited to a ceremony for sharing and remembrance of the deceased at a time either before or after the deceased has been placed in their final resting place.
• A church or alternative site can be arranged with photographs and items from the home.

We will also assist you in Personalization of services, which can include: Picture Memorial Leaflets, Memory Table (personal family tributes), Memory Board (pictures of one's life), and Memory Table (picture slideshow set to music). Our funeral home is committed to providing the highest level of professional service. The above are just a few examples of how we can personalize and celebrate one's life.

The above is a very brief detail of services available to the public by our funeral home. We welcome questions and would love the opportunity to share more with you in person. Please call or e-mail us to set up an appointment.

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