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Often cremation services are the same as a traditional
funeral. In fact, some type of service is recommended
because it provides an outlet for
the family's expression of grief and loss and allows friends
and family to demonstrate their support.
 Many service options are available with cremation including:
- Visitation with urn present
- Church or Chapel Service with urn present.
- Memorial service after cremation
- Delayed final committal to allow for bad weather or
arrival of family
- Interment of cremated remains in previously occupied
family plot or special section designated
by the cemetery
- Placement of cremated remains in internal or external
columbaria niches
- Scattering of cremated remains
Containers or Caskets
It is our requirement that the
deceased be placed in a rigid container or casket in order
to cremate. If visitation and viewing is requested, the
normal procedure for casket selection is followed. If
"direct cremation" or cremation without any preparation,
embalming, viewing or ceremony is chosen, a rigid container
would be suitable.
Authorization
Before cremation can take place, approval must first be
granted by the Chief Forensic Pathologist. The
"Pathologist's Certificate of Approval" may be obtained by
either the funeral home or a family member. Secondly, an
"Authorization to Cremate Form" authorizing the funeral home
to cremate the deceased must be completed and signed, in the
presence of a Funeral Director, by the next-of-kin, executor
or legal representative of the deceased. Finally, an
"Instructions for Disposition Form" outlining instructions
for final disposition of the cremated remains must also be
completed and signed. Each document will be thoroughly
explained by the Funeral Director and should be fully
understood by the family before leaving the arrangement
meeting.
 Committal and Final Disposition
Many options are available for
committal and final disposition of cremated remains.
-The urn may be taken home
-The urn may be placed in an indoor or outdoor columbarium
- Cremated remains may be placed in an urn for interment in
a family plot, a regular plot or a specifically designated
cemetery area
- Cremated remains may be scattered at
sea, in a garden or a place that may have had special
meaning to the deceased.
Memorialization
Cremation is essentially preparation for memorialization.
Whatever final resting place is chosen for the cremated
remains, the family may choose from a variety of ways to
identify it with the name and dates of the deceased.
Headstones and bronze markers are commonly used as are
inscriptions on walls, columbaria or similar structures.
When cremated remains are scattered some type of memorial,
in the form of a cross or name plate, may be erected at the
scattering site.
Click
Here for a list of Frequently Asked Cremation Questions
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