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CREMATION SERVICES CREMATION FAQs

What options are available besides Cremated remains can be scattered or buried, or Can an urn be brought into church? How long does the actual cremation
ground burial? they may be kept with the family in a decora- Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the take?
Besides ground burial, some cemeteries offer tive urn. There are many new and different urn to be present during the memorial services. It all depends on the weight of the individual.
interment in lawn crypts or entombment in ways to dispose of ashes today, cremated Most Catholic Churches also allow the remains For an average sized adult, cremation can take
mausoleums. In addition, most cemeteries remains can be placed in an artificial coral reef to be present during the Memorial Mass. It is two to three hours at a normal operating tem-
provide choice for those who have selected in the ocean or they can be spun into glass encouraged that cremated remains be a part of a perature of between 1000 and 2000 degrees
cremation. These often include placement of artwork or diamonds. funeral as it provides a focal point for the Fahrenheit.
cremated remains in a niche of a columbarium service.
or interment in an urn space. Some religions welcome cremation while What do the cremated remains look
others forbid it. The Catholic Church has What can be done with the cremated like?
Wat are the burial vaults and grave banned cremation up until 1963, and burial remains? Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are
liners? remains the preferred form of disposition While laws vary state by state, for the most part whitish to light grey in colour. The remains of
These are the outside containers into which the today. In other Christian denominations crema- remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or a an average sized adult usually weigh between 7
casket is placed. Burial vaults are designed to tion was historically discouraged but nowadays cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, and 8 pounds.
protect the casket and may be made of a variety it is more widely accepted. In eastern religions kept at home or scattered.
or combination of materials including concrete, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Bud- Are all the cremated remains
stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, dhism cremation is mandated, while in Islam it How can I be sure I receive the correct returned?
bronze, plastic or fibreglass. A grave liner is a is strictly forbidden. Orthodox Jews also forbid remains? With the exception of minute and microscopic
lightweight version of a vault which simply cremation; other sects of Judaism support All reputable cremation providers have devel- particles, which are impossible to remove from
keeps the grave surface from sinking in. cremation, but burial remains the preferred oped rigorous sets of operating policies and the cremation chamber and processing
option. procedures in order to maximize the level of machine, all of the cremated remains are given
Must I purchase a burial vault? service and minimize the potential for human back to the family.
Most large, active cemeteries have regulations error. Since it is illegal to perform more than
that require the use of a basic grave liner for Cremation FAQs one cremationat a time, and the vast majority of Do I need an urn?
maintenance and safety purposes. Either a crematories can only cremate one body at a An urn is not required by law. However an urn
grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these What is cremation? time, it is next to impossible to receive the may be desired if there is to be a memorial
requirements. Some smaller rural or churchyard Cremation is the process of reducing the human incorrect remains. service or if the remains are to be interred in a
cemeteries do not require use of a container to body to bone fragments using high heat and cemetery. If an urn is not purchased or provided
surround the casket in the grave. flame. Cremation is not the final disposition of by the family, the cremated remains will be
the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service. returned in a temporary container.
Cremation Services Is a casket needed for cremation?

No, a casket is not required. Most states require
Cremation is an alternative to the burial process an alternative container constructed of wood or
and it is chosen by many people because of cardboard, however, in some states no contain-
religious beliefs, the desire to preserve the er is required.
environment or because it was requested by the
person who died. Cremation is also a less Is embalming required prior to cre-
expensive option in comparison to a burial. The mation?
remains are placed in a container that is com- No. In fact, it is against the law for a funeral
bustible and placed in a special furnace called a home to tell you otherwise.
cremation chamber or a crematory where,
through intense heat, the remains are reduced to Can the family witness the cremation?
bone fragments that are then crushed and Yes, they can; some cremation providers will
pulverised to resemble coarse sand. The alow family members to be present when the
cremated remains are an average human body body is placed in the cremation chamber. Some
will weigh about 7-8 pounds. Cremation is not religious groups even include this as part of
an alternative to a funeral. But rather an alter- their funeral custom.
native to burial or other forms of disposition.

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