Is A Casket Needed For Cremation?

No.  For sanitary reasons, ease of placement and dignity, many cremations require that the deseased be cremated in a combustible, leak proof, rigid, covered container.  This does not need to be a casket as such.  What is required is an enclosed, rigid, container made of wood or other combustible material to allow for the dignified handling of human remains.  The type of casket or containers are available in a wide variety of materials ranging from simple cardboard containers to beautifully handcrafted oak, maple or mahogany caskets.

Are There Special Cremation Caskets?

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.

Can A Casket Be Rented Instead Of Purchased When Choosing Cremation?

Many furneral homes offer a hardwood ceremonial casket for viewing or funeral services prior to cremation.   The ceremonial (or rental) casket is specifically designed to provide a very aesthetically pleasing, affordable and enviromentally prudent alternative to purchasing a casket for a cremation service. 

Is Cremation Accepted By All Religions?

Today most religions allow cremation except for Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist  Christian faiths.  The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings.

Can An Urn Be Brought Into Church?

Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service.  Most Catholic Churches also allow the cremated remains to be present during the Memorial Mass.  In fact, if the family is planning on a memorial service, you should be encouraged to have  the cremated remains present as it provides a focal point for the service. 

What Can Be Done With The Cremated Remains?

There are many options and laws vary state to state.  Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered. 

How Can I Be Sure I Receive The Correct Remains?

All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimized the potential for human error.  If you have questions, ask the cremation providers what procedures they uses.

How Long DoesIt Take To Cremate A Body?

Cremating at the optimum temperature (1400 - 1800 degrees), the average weighted remains takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  Several more hours may be required before the cremated remains are available to the family.

Are Cremations Done Individually?

Yes. Laws require that only one casket or container is cremated at a time.

What Happens After The Cremation Is Complete?

All organic bone fragements, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items are "swept" into the back of the cremation chamber and into a stainless steel cooling pan.  All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridge work, are separated from the cremated remains.  This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects.  Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with the cremated remains.  Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family.

Are All The Cremated Remains Returned? 

With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family.