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.

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 crematory chapel.

No, cremation is simply a method of preparing human remains for final disposition.

No – actually, only a small percentage of cremation service providers have their own crematories. Most of them have to surrender custody of deceased persons into a third party’s hands. However, we have our own crematories, so your loved one never has to leave our care.

We offer several ceremonial caskets for viewing or funeral services prior to cremation. The ceremonial (or rental) caskets are specifically designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing, affordable and environmentally prudent alternative to purchasing a casket for a cremation service.

There is a choice of very affordable cremation caskets that are completely combustible. The selection includes options from a simple pine or cloth-covered casket to a hardwood casket.

No. For sanitary reasons, ease of placement and dignity, many crematories 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 a 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.

No. In most cases it’s your choice. It may depend on whether the family selected a service with a public viewing of the body, whether there is to be a funeral service, or whether there is refrigeration available. Embalming may also be necessary if the body is going to be transported by air or rail, or because of the length of time prior to the cremation.

Incineration of the cremation casket/container and contents is accomplished and most substances are consumed, except bone fragments (calcium compounds), which will normally weigh several pounds in the case of an average size adult.

Mechanical or radioactive devices in the deceased may create a hazardous condition when placed in the cremation chamber. It is imperative that these items be removed prior to cremation. In addition, any special mementos placed with the deceased’s remains, such as jewelry, will be destroyed during the cremation process.