FAQ - Cremation
Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation
How long must we wait after their death before we can cremate a family member?
Unlike burial, cremation is irreversible. This requires us to be "extra diligent" in obtaining cremation authorization from the legally identified next-of-kin, as well as those from any necessary agencies (such as the medical examiner). During these 48-72 hours (depending on state mandated requirements); the deceased will be held in a secure, refrigerated environment.
How much does cremation cost?
When you enter into a discussion with us about the cost of your loved one's cremation, whether on the phone or in-person, we are legally obligated to share our General Price List, or GPL, with you. We cannot give you a completely accurate quote of the cremation cost until we know specifics, however our home page lists the cremation prices for our 3 packages that will give you a good idea.
Can I view the cremation?
Generally speaking, the answer to this question is “yes”. Please keep in mind that some crematories will not give you this access.
Can I purchase an urn from another source or funeral home?
The FTC's Funeral Rule guides funeral directors in the ethical and fair presentation of funeral service options. The purchase of a cremation urn (or a casket, for that matter) from a second or third party sources is one of the rights it guarantees. Your funeral director cannot prevent you from, nor can they charge you an extra fee for, the purchase of a third-party cremation urn. And they cannot demand you are present for its delivery to the funeral home.
What should I do with cremation ashes?
The word “should” need not be apart of the conversation. Choose the option that feels best for your family and your loved one. Be patient; the right way to handle a loved one’s ashes will surface. You have several options when it comes to what you can do with cremation ashes:
- It is common for people to scatter ashes outdoors in a special location where they can decompose and be one with nature. Parks and waterways are common places for ash scattering to take place.
- Storing ashes in an urn
- At a cemetery you can inter an urn in a columbarium niche or bury the urn in an underground plot.
- Instead of storing ashes in an urn, more people are storing small amounts of the ashes in beautiful jewelry.
Those are just some of the options available to you. There are now newer, more creative things you can do with cremation ashes. For a full discussion on the possibilities, give us a call.
If we choose cremation, does my loved one have to be embalmed?
The short answer is "no", but there are exceptions. Let's say you want to have a viewing or visitation. If that's the case, it may be prudent to embalm your loved one, so they look their best for the event; so much so that the funeral home may require that you purchase the service. However, with that said, under the FTC's Funeral Rule, we cannot provide embalming services without your permission, and may not lead you to believe embalming is required by law. In addition, we must provide you with written disclosures related to the embalming of your loved one.
How long does it take to cremate a body?
Usually the actual cremation takes between 2 – 2.5 hours. The body is reduced to about 3-7 pounds of ash. A cool-down period follows, and then the cremated remains are processed for a uniform appearance.
What kind of fuel is used in cremation?
Most crematories use natural or L.P. gas, or in some cases diesel oil.
Do you have clothes on when you are cremated?
You would be surprised how often we hear this question! Clothing is optional and so is the type of clothes you wish to wear. Some people might choose to be undressed so as to 'go out' the same way they 'came in' to the world. In most cases, families choose to have their loved one dressed.
Can we put special items in their cremation casket?
It depends upon what you mean as "special", but we do our best to accommodate the wishes of surviving family members. Most commonly, families will ask to place notes, children's drawings, or other personal messages of love; but we've certainly had some unusual requests (such as the inclusion of a cherished pet's collar or treasured keepsake). We encourage you to speak with your funeral director to learn the regulations of the specific crematory responsible for your loved one's cremation.
I'm thinking of placing my loved one's ashes in the care of a local cemetery. What is the difference between a columbarium and a mausoleum?
Think of the Taj Mahal in India and you'll know exactly what a mausoleum is: it's a free-standing building (in this case not in India but on the grounds of a local cemetery), which is intended as both a monument as well as the burial location for casketed individuals. A columbarium is the same in purpose, but not in design; instead of crypt spaces large enough for a full-size casket; it features smaller niche spaces, large enough for one (or maybe two) cremation urns. Therefore, if you choose cremation then you would be interested in asking about a columbarium instead of a mausoleum.
What "extra" fees or charges will I need to pay?
It's difficult for us to answer this question without knowing the specifics of your proposed cremation arrangements. Yet with that said we can tell you there will most likely be extra charges for anything that involves a second-party purchase (such as the publication of your loved one's obituary in a local newspaper). If you select a decorative cremation urn and would like to personalize it with an engraved nameplate; there could be a small fee.
What are "cash advance items"?
When you arrive to make the necessary cremation service arrangements on behalf of a loved one, we will furnish you with a copy of our General Price List; a section of which discloses the exact price (or a good-faith estimate) of the most commonly-requested "cash advance items". Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute defines a “cash advance item” as "any item of service or merchandise...obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral provider on the purchaser's behalf. Cash advance items may include, but are not limited to: cemetery or crematory services; pallbearers; public transportation; clergy honoraria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices; gratuities and death certificates."
For these “cash advance items”, why must I pay for these at the time of arrangement?
The answer to this is simple: we have to pay for these second-party services or merchandise at the time we make the purchase on your behalf. This requires us to ask for payment for all cash advance items at the time the cremation service contract is agreed to, and signed by the responsible family member. For more specific information about our payment policies, please call us to speak with a member of our staff.
Can we arrange to bury ashes at a cemetery?
Yes, you can. The burial can be in-ground, or your loved one's cremation urn can be placed in a columbarium niche.
What must I bring to the funeral home?
You'll need to provide the documents/information required to complete your loved one's death certificate and obituary. If you are planning to have a ceremony, you may also wish to bring in a collection of family photographs to be used in making a tribute video or in the decoration of the service location. Other items may be needed at some point, depending on the arrangements made. Your funeral director will provide you with an exact list of the things he or she would like you to bring along to the arrangement conference.
Can I write my loved one’s obituary?
Of course you can. In fact, any member of your family (or even a close friend) can take care of this task. If you do choose to write it yourself, we are more than happy to help you out.