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What
happens during the cremation
process?
The
casket or container is
placed in the cremation
chamber, where the
temperature is raised to
approximately 1600 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
cemetery grounds. 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.
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How
hot does the oven get?
Although
there are several
manufacturers of cremation
units, the optimum
temperature range is 1600
degrees to 1800 degrees
Fahrenheit.
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How
long does it take to
cremate a body?
Cremating at the
optimum temperature
(1600 - 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.
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Are
cremations done
individually?
Yes. Laws require
that only one casket or
container is cremated at
a time.
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Is the
body exposed to an open
flame during the cremation
process?
Yes, the body is
exposed to direct heat
and flame. Cremation is
performed by placing the
deceased in a casket or
other container and then
placing the casket or
container into a
cremation chamber or
retort, where they are
subjected to intense
heat and flame.
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When
after death can a
cremation take place?
Because cremation is
an irreversible process
and because the process
itself will eliminate
any ability to determine
exact cause of death,
many states require that
each cremation be
authorized by the
coroner or medical
examiner. Some states
have specific minimum
time limits that must
elapse before cremation
may take place. Your
local funeral service
provider can advise you
of applicable
regulations, if any.
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Is any
other preparation required
prior to cremation?
It is essential that
pacemakers and other
medical devices be
removed prior to
cremation. They may
explode when subjected
to high temperature,
which can be hazardous
to crematorium staff and
equipment. In addition,
any special mementos,
such as jewelry, will be
destroyed during the
cremation process.
Anything you wish to
keep should be removed
by the funeral director
before the casket or
container is transferred
to the crematorium.
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Is it
true that the bones are
crushed after cremation?
I've heard you don't get
ashes back -- what do you
get?
A complete cremation
is a two-step process.
Firstly, the actual
exposure of the deceased
to several hours of
intense heat and flame;
after which the remains
are mostly ash except
for certain bone
fragments, then the
entire remaining ash and
fragment volume is
gathered and run through
a processor, creating a
uniform powder-like
texture.
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Why is
refrigeration of the remains
necessary?
Due to the
irreversible nature of
cremation, most states
require a waiting period
before the actual
process may begin.
Refrigeration is the
only alternative
available, other than
embalming, that will
retard tissue
decomposition.
Refrigeration is a
necessity that protects
family and friends, the
crematory operator and
the general public from
potential health
hazards.
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Is
embalming necessary for
cremation?
No. It is your
choice. It may depend on
such factors as whether
the family selected a
service with a public
viewing of the body with
an open casket, or to
enhance the deceased's
appearance 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.
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Is a
casket required?
No. For sanitary
reasons, ease of
placement and dignity,
many cremations require
that the deceased 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
container selected is
really a personal
decision, Caskets and
containers are available
in a wide variety of
materials ranging from
simple cardboard
containers to
beautifully handcrafted
oak, maple or mahogany
caskets.
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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.
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Can a
casket be rented instead
of purchased when choosing
cremation?
Many funeral 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
environmentally prudent
alternative to
purchasing a casket for
a cremation service.
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Can I
bring my own urn?
Yes — It would be
advisable that you
discuss this situation
with your cremation
provider prior to the
cremation. The size of
your urn will be of
great importance if you
plan to have your loved
one's entire cremated
body included in this
container.
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Can I
watch the cremation?
Arrangements can
usually be made through
the Cremation
Authorization Form for
relatives or
representatives of the
deceased to witness the
cremation.
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Do
all funeral homes and
cemeteries have a crematory?
No - actually only a
small percentage of
cremation service
providers have their own
cremation units.
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Is
cremation a substitution
for a funeral?
No, cremation is
simply a method of
preparing human remains
for final disposition.
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Do I
have to make different
funeral arrangements if I
chose cremation?
It really depends
entirely on how you wish
to commemorate a life.
One of the advantages of
cremation is that it
provides you with
increased flexibility
when you make your
funeral and cemetery
arrangements. You might,
for example, choose to
have a funeral service
before the cremation; a
memorial service at the
time of cremation or
after the cremation with
the urn present; or a
committal service at the
final disposition of
cremated remains.
Funeral or memorial
services can be held in
a place of worship, a
funeral home or in a
crematorium chapel.
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Can
we have the service
before or after the
cremation?
It's completely a
matter of family
preference. Many times
when a family is split
regarding the decision
to cremate, a compromise
may be achieved by
having a traditional
service first - to be
followed by cremation.
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What
can be done with the
cremated remains?
With cremation, your
options are numerous.
The cremains can be
interred in a cemetery
plot, i.e., earth
burial, retained by a
family member, usually
in an urn, scattered on
private property, or at
a place that was
significant to the
deceased. (It would
always be advisable to
check for local
regulations regarding
scattering in a public
place.) Cremation is
just one step in the
commemorative process--
the preparation of the
human remains for
memorialization. Today,
there are many different
types of memorial
options from which to
choose. Memorialization
is a time-honored
tradition that has been
practiced for centuries.
A memorial serves as a
tribute to a life lived
and provides a focal
point for remembrance,
as well as a record for
future generations. The
type of memorial you
choose is a personal
decision. The limit is
set only by your
imagination.
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Can I
scatter the remains on
private property?
Yes, with permission
of the owner.
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What
is memorialization for a
cremation?
You might choose
ground burial of the
urn. If so, you may
usually choose either a
bronze memorial or
monument. Also available
at many cemeteries
are cremation niches in
columbariums. They offer
the beauty of
a mausoleum setting with
the benefits of above
ground placement of
remains.
Many cemeteries also
offer scattering
gardens. This area of a
cemetery
offers the peacefulness
of a serene garden where
family and friends
can come and reflect.
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What
is a columbarium?
A columbarium, often
located within a mausoleum
or chapel, sometimes free-standing,
either indoor or outdoor, is
constructed of numerous
small compartments
(niches) designed to hold
urns containing cremated
remains.
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If I'm
going to be cremated, why would
I want my remains to be placed
in a columbarium, or interred or
scattered at the cemetery? Why
shouldn't I just have them
scattered in the sea or in some
other place of my choosing?
As long as it is
permitted by local
regulations, your cremated
remains can be scattered in
a place that is meaningful
to you. This can, however,
present difficulties for
your survivors. Some people
may find it hard to simply
pour the mortal remains of a
loved one out onto the
ground or into the sea. If
you wish to be scattered
somewhere, it is therefore
important to discuss your
wishes ahead of time with
the person or persons who
will actually have to do the
scattering. Another
difficulty with scattering
can occur when the remains
are disposed of in an
anonymous, unmarked or
public place. Access to the
area may be restricted for
some reason in the future,
undeveloped land may be
developed, or any of a host
of other conditions may
arise that could make it
difficult for your survivors
to visit the site to
remember you. Even if your
cremated remains are
scattered in your backyard,
what happens if your
survivors relocate sometime
in the future? Once
scattered, cremated remains
cannot easily be collected
back up. Having your remains
placed, interred or
scattered on a cemetery's
grounds ensures that future
generations will have a
place to go to remember. If
remains are scattered
somewhere outside the
cemetery, many cemeteries
will allow you to place a
memorial of some type on the
cemetery grounds, so
survivors have a place to
visit that will always be
maintained and preserved.
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Why is
having a place to visit so
important?
Because it provides a
focal point for
memorializing the deceased.
To remember, and be
remembered, are natural
human needs. Throughout
human history,
memorialization of the dead
has been a key component of
almost every culture. The
Washington Monument, Tomb of
the Unknowns and Vietnam
"Wall" in
Washington, D.C are examples
of memorialization which
demonstrate that, throughout
our history, we have always
honored our dead.
Psychologists say that
remembrance practices, from
the funeral or memorial
service to permanent
memorialization, serve an
important emotional function
for survivors by helping to
bring closure and allowing
the healing process to
begin. Providing a permanent
resting place for the
deceased is a dignified
treatment for a loved one's
mortal remains, which
fulfills the natural human
desire for memorialization.
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If I am
cremated, can I be buried with
my spouse even if he or she was
in a casket?
Yes — Depending upon
the cemetery's policy, you
may be able to save a grave
space by having the cremains
buried on top of your
casketed spouse, or utilize
the space provided next to
him/her. Many cemeteries
allow for multiple cremains
to be interred in a single
grave space.
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Can I
take the cremated remains
home?
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.
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How big
of a price difference is
there with cremation compared to
standard ground burial?
The cost depends on the
type of permanent memorial,
location of the memorial,
urn and placement selected.
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Do all
religions permit cremation?
Some religions prefer
cremation; some do not
recommend the practice; most
permit you to choose. Should
you have any questions or
concerns, we suggest you
speak with a member of your
clergy, or contact your
local prearrangement
provider.
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