Answers to Questions about cremation.....

If you have or are about to experience the death of a family member or friend, and are responsible for making the final arrangements, it may seem like an overwhelming task. Chances are you are emotionally exhausted, and have no idea where to begin.

The choices involved in planning the details can be especially confusing if you’ve never done it before. We’ve put together the information here based on the questions we are most often asked.

What if the death occurs at a time other than regular working hours?

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call us, we’ll make the arrangements and help you notify the authorities necessary.

If I call from outside the area, can you still help?

We can arrange transportation from almost anywhere, we make it easy to contact us and stay in touch.   If your loved one is located in our region and you are outside the area, we let you know every step of the way that the details are being handled.  We have the easiest method of handling all the paperwork and the payment. Yes we can help, please call.

How long will it take for you to get here?

If you would like us to come immediately, we will. However, some families request we wait a few hours to give them time to gather friends and family members to say good-bye privately.

I’ve never handled the arrangements before, how will I know what to do?

It is our job to give you all the information you need to make the final decisions necessary after a death. We’ll give you all the options and costs for services, gather any necessary information, and get any signatures and authorizations needed legally. Our simple online step by step program will take you through this process. At any time you can call our experienced directors for assistance.

I haven’t decided on a final disposition, can you give me all of my options on this decision?

We will give you all the placement options available, from scattering at sea to scattering at a cemetery to burial in a cemetery, to keeping an Urn or scattering somewhere else. Let us know your preferences and we will help you make the decisions.

I would like to choose cremation, but don’t want a funeral. Can you still help?

Yes. our basic services don't include traditional funerals. We handle all of the details pertaining to cremation and can either keep the cremaines for you until you are ready to pick them up (30 days), or arrange for them to be taken to your choice of cemetery for interment, or ship them to you via certified mail.

How much do cremation services cost?

We have published our prices for cremation services and make it easy for you to view our cremation price list. As you go through our simple step by step process, you choose only the services that you would like, and we provide the most basic economical cremation available. You create your own memorial service so there are no expensive funeral costs.

How do I know funeral prices are fair?

Our cremation service prices are very reasonable. We urge you to call us for a quote on whatever services you need, and then call other providers for a comparison.

Is there a possibility of the State or Medicare paying for this service?

Unfortunately not. No state agencies pay for cremation or funeral services.  However, if your loved one is receiving social security benefits, there is a one-time payment of $255  payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death.

Do you offer Special Services for Veterans?

Yes. We can arrange for full military honors for your loved one, with flag. Cremation can be combined with a military funeral.  Please call us to discuss options.  All Veterans with an honorable discharge may currently be entitled to:

1. A free burial space for Veteran, spouse and dependent children in any National Cemetery that has room.
2. A free marker to memorialize both Veteran and spouse.
3. A free American flag, which can be bequeathed as a keepsake to any person the Veteran chooses.
4. A Presidential Memorial Certificate - an engraved paper document, signed by the current President and expresses this country's grateful recognition of the Veteran's service.
5. All Veterans, from any branch of the service, are entitled to a free scattering of ashes at sea by the Navy.

I’m not sure what should be done with the cremated remains. What are my choices?

Choices for disposition of cremated remains include:

• KEEP AT HOME in a permanent urn. Some families choose to rotate the location from year to year.
• BURIAL in cemeteries, urn gardens, or at a National Cemetery for veterans and their spouses. If using a private cemetery, you may need to purchase a permanent urn or vault, an opening & closing as well a marker.
• INURNMENT in a niche of a columbarium in cemeteries, churches and other locations.
• SCATTERING in a memorial garden of a cemetery or church, at-sea, over private property, and a host of other personal options.
• “KEEPSAKES” are miniature urns or pendants designed to contain a portion of the cremains while the remainder is buried, scattered or inurned.

Who has the right to decide about cremation - who needs to authorize it?

If an individual has set out his or her wishes in writing with a legal contract (including power of attorney for healthcare) or a pre-need arrangement, that pre-need determines the right of disposition.  If not, the usual order of control for cremation is:

1. Durable Power of Attorney (with disposition authority)
2. Spouse
3. Child who is 18+ years old, or the majority of children over 18
4. Parents
5. Other more distant relatives

What if our loved one is in Hospice care?

You can begin our simple process for cremation paperwork now. Your hospice care provider may help answer questions and fill out our simple steps to handle all the arrangements. When death occurs, we just need a family member to sign the authorization paperwork and fax one page to us.  We make the process as stress-free as possible. We can answer all famly questions about cremation via phone, text, or email, and complete the paperwork online and via fax. See our Cremation Services.

What happens if someone wants to be cremated, but a family member is opposed to this choice?

It is always best if an agreement can be reached that the family will respect regarding the cremation decision. Discussion with a counselor, director, clergyman, chaplain, or other adviser may help with this decision. You may also use these questions and answers to help. Sometimes family just have a question that needs answering, or want to make sure that there will be a memorial service.  If agreement cannot be reached, then before death occurs, the person choosing cremation should pre-arrange their plans and file them with their chosen cremation provider, in addition to stating these wishes in their will.

What are our options for delivery of the Urn after cremation?

We will ship the Urn via certified US Mail. (UPS and Fedex will not ship remains). Or you can stop by our office to pick up the Urn. We also provide a service of scattering at sea or scattering on land.

How many copies of the death certificate do we need?

The number of certified copies of death certificates needed varies with each Estate.  See our printable PDF guide to certified copies of death certificates.

What is cremation?

It’s the process of reducing the body to ashes and bone fragments through the use of intense heat. The process usually takes two to four hours. Depending on the size of the body, the cremated remains will weigh three to nine pounds. The bone fragments are reduced to about aquarium gravel texture. Depending on the fuel and temperature used, they are some-where between a light grey and white color.

How long does the cremation process take? When will my loved one be returned?

After authorizing us to begin, the cremation process usually takes 10 to 14 days. So you have time to plan the celebration of life or memorial service that best suits your family. We have choices of urns, so you can have the Urn and a photo at the memorial service.  See our resources for a guide to planning your own memorial and tips on writing an obituary.

What will friends and relatives think? How many people are choosing Cremation?

The percentage of cremations in the US is rapidly rising each year. In 12 states the cremation rate is over 60%. In England and Japan the cremation rate is close to 90%. More than 60% of Americans said they will choose cremation for themselves. Primary reasons for choosing cremation are because it is simpler, less emotional and more convenient.

Is a casket required for cremation?

No, a casket is never required for cremation. We provide a simple container included in our plan price. Crematories require that the body be enclosed in a rigid, combustible container. Under federal regulations, all providers must make available an inexpensive cremation container often referred to as an alternative container. Unlike other cremation providers, we do not charge for this container.

Do I have to hire an undertaker?

Most states permit private citizens to obtain the necessary death certificate and permits for transit and disposition. However, the process can take considerable time and diligence to find the appropriate person and properly file the paperwork with state and county agencies. You should also check first to make sure the crematory will accept the body directly from the family, as some crematories will only work through providers. Our professionals who have been doing this for more than 30 years will handle all of these details for you at a very reasonable cost.

Is a funeral service necessary?

No, traditional funeral services are not necessary. Immediate family visitation and saying goodbye can be done before calling for our services. Instead of an elaborate funeral, most families choose to have a memorial service with the Urn and a photo. Cremation makes it possible to take more time to plan a service at a convenient time when all family can gather.

How do religious groups view cremation?

Most religions permit cremation. Since Vatican II Council in 1964, the Code of Canon Law allows Roman Catholics a choice between burial and cremation.  If you know the religion of your loved one and are in doubt, check with a local pastor, priest, rabbi, or religious leader of that same religion.

How are cremated remains and Urns transported?

Urns with cremated remains are mailed certified mail by US postal services - USPS. Couriers such as FedEx and UPS will not ship them.  Or they can  be picked up at our office. If you are taking them on a plane you are best off leaving them in the box just as it comes from the crematory with the official documents attached. Security requires that they be able to be x-rayed so they need to be in a nonmetal container.  Please let us know if you are taking them on a plane so we can put the metal tags on the outside of the Urn.

Should I call 911 and an EMT when the death occurs?

It is not necessary to call 911 and the EMTs unless it's an emergency.  If the death is expected (old age, long illness), you don't need to call the police. We will arrange to have the doctor fill out the death certificate. If the person is in hospice care, or a hospital, or nursing home, there is also no need to call the police or ambulance. We coordinate services with the hospice nurse and the hospital.

If the death is unexpected or in any way unusual, then call the police. They will advise you. B The police may require that a medical examiner or coroner be involved.  After they have completed their investigation, you will need to give a medical examiner or coroner written authorization to release the loved one into our care. We include the forms in the package you print at the completion of our simple step by step process.

What if I want a full traditional funeral with a viewing, can you still help?

While that is not an option we offer with our low cost plans, please call us and let us know what type of service you have in mind. We can refer you to an affiliated reputable funeral service director in your area.

Any more questions we have not answered?

Please call us. We can take you through all of the necessary steps of the arrangement process, one step at a time. And, we’ll answer any other questions you may have.