Deciding the most special and appropriate way to honor your loved one after they pass can be an overwhelming process. There are many options and details to plan out. Knowing the complete process of funerals, burial, and cremation is the best way to start narrowing down your options. Cremation is a popular option for those who want a tangible memorialization of their special person. Unlike the burial process, it can somewhat be a mystery what happens during cremation. Understanding the technicalities of cremation can help ease the anxiety about the process and lead you to a confident decision.

Cremation and the service can take between one to three weeks after a loved one passes. One of the first and most important steps is identifying the deceased and obtaining proper authorization. The actual cremation takes between two and three hours. Certain facilities allow for family to witness the process. Many offer a service beforehand, where family and loved ones can honor and say goodbye to their special person. Temperature controlling, gathering, and preparing the ashes for the family adds an extra few hours to the process. Being patient and trusting your facility that they are handling the process with extra love and care is essential to your peace.

Once identification has occurred, the body must be prepared and moved. Modern cremation services use industrial furnaces specifically designed for human cremation, called a cremation chamber or retort. Cremation exposes the body to intense heat for a long period of time. After this exposure, evaporation naturally occurs. A magnet is used to remove any pieces of metal, and the remains are ground to bone fragments. Those fragments are commonly referred to as the ashes. The ashes are transferred to a temporary container or urn. Ashes are usually available for pickup the following day. Check with your crematoria how long you have to obtain the ashes. However, take your time. Pick them up when you feel ready.

Ashes can commemorate your beloved many ways. Some choose an elegant urn for home display, as an everyday reminder of fond memories and eternal love. Urns can also be buried somewhere special for loved ones to visit and honor. Scattering the ashes is another popular process that gives families a feeling of earthly connection to the deceased. Whatever decision you decide is the best, we want you to feel confident and at ease. Please email us if you have any questions.