Frequently Asked Questions

You can keep the cremated remains in your possession, scatter where allowed, bury in a cemetery, or place in a mausoleum. A portion of the cremated remains may be kept as a remembrance usually in a mini urn or keepsake jewelry.

Yes. We offer services that allow immediate family members to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation in our private viewing room at the crematory.

To arrange a cremation, the person or persons who are legal next of kin must consent to the cremation, by signing an authorization form. Our staff will prepare the death certificate and cremation permit. The death certificate will be taken to the physician who will sign it. After the death certificate is completed by the physician, it is taken to the health department in the county where death occurred. The health department contacts the medical examiner for that county who must approve the cremation permit. Upon receiving approval from the medical examiner, the local registrar of vital statistics will issue a cremation permit along with certified copies of the death certificate. After all of the properly executed documents are received in our office, the actual cremation can be scheduled.

Our goal is to complete the cremation as quickly as possible; however, the process is dependent on several different agencies and the doctor who is responsible for signing the death certificate. For 90% of the families we serve the average turnaround is 3 to 5 business days.

A service can usually be held at any location that family and friends feel would be comfortable and appropriate. We can assist with arranging a meaningful service wherever you feel it would be appropriate.

Primarily they care and safeguard the deceased person until final disposition, including embalming and restorative work. A growing number of funeral directors are trained as grief counselors to help families through the bereavement process. They also arrange and provide an orderly series of events that finalize the funeral, the final disposition, and legal paperwork so the family can proceed forward. They also provide the physical establishment in which all of this can be accomplished.

No, cremation is simply a method of preparing human remains for final disposition.

There is a choice of very affordable cremation caskets that are completely combustible. The selection includes options from a plain cardboard container to a hardwood casket.

Yes. The remains are normally placed in an urn. Most families select an urn that is suitable for placement on a mantle or shelf. Urns are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

No. It is your choice. It may depend on if the family selected a service with a public viewing of the body with an open casket, if they want the deceased’s appearance enhanced for a private family viewing, if the body is going to be transported by air or rail, or because of the length of time prior to the cremation.

The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately, 2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. The residue which is left is bone fragments, known as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner. The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in the container provided by the crematorium or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the cremation process, a carefully controlled labelling system ensures correct identification.

Children grieve just as adults do. Any child old enough to form a relationship will experience some form of grief when a relationship is severed. Adults may not view a child behavior as grief as it is often demonstrated in behavioral patterns which we misunderstand and do not appear to us to be grief such as “moody,” “cranky,” or “withdrawn.” When a death occurs, children need to be surrounded by feelings of warmth, acceptance, and understanding. This may be a tall order to expect of the adults who are experiencing their own grief and are upset. Caring adults can guide children through this time when the child is experiencing feelings for which they have no words and thus cannot identify. In a very real way, this time can be a growth experience for the child, teaching about love and relationships. The first task is to create an atmosphere in which the child’s thoughts, fears, and wishes are recognized. This means that they should be allowed to participate in any of the arrangements, ceremonies, and gatherings which are comfortable for them. First, explain what will be happening and why it is happening at a level the child can understand. A child may not be able to speak at a grandparent’s funeral but would benefit greatly from the opportunity to draw a picture to be placed in the casket or displayed at the service. Be aware that children will probably have short attention spans and may need to leave a service or gathering before the adults are ready. Many families provide a non-family attendant to care for the children in this event. The key is to allow the participation, not to force it. Forced participation can be harmful. Children instinctively have a good sense of how involved they wish to be. They should be listened to carefully.