Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions by families that are considering affordable cremation services.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
- What is cremation?
- What is the expense of cremation compared to a standard funeral?
- What costs are involved in cremation?
- Are there any religious concerns with cremation?
- How do I know the ashes won’t get switched?
- What do the ashes look like?
THE CREMATION PROCESS
- Can I see the body before the cremation?
- Is embalming required?
- How long is the cremation process?
- What happens at the end of the cremation process?
- How hot does the cremation chamber get?
- Is the body exposed to an open flame during the cremation process?
- How long do you have to wait before you can do the cremation?
- What is done to the body before the cremation?
- What remains after the cremation?
- What happens to the remaining gold and medical metal?
CASKETS & URNS
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of applying intense heat to a deceased body, reducing it to bone fragments.
What is the expense of direct cremation compared to a standard funeral?
Direct cremation (or simple cremation) tends to be about twenty percent the cost of a traditional funeral. Cremation is typically more affordable because permanent memorial and burial fees are not required, but are optional. Each family can choose the level of services they feel are right for them and can be as simple or elaborate as they choose.
What costs are involved in cremation?
Costs will vary by region and according to the services that are selected. aCremation’s basic direct cremation service exceeds all state and local requirements. The primary costs are the transport costs to take a loved one into our care, the actual cremation (crematory charges), and service fees for the team who works with the family and files required documents and permits. Government-related fees such as Medical examiner, coroner, permits, and death certificates can also contribute to the overall price. Any additional costs are typically related to any services you choose to have; memorial urn purchases; and permanent memorializations such as columbarium or grave sites.
Are there any religious concerns with cremation?
Most religions leave it up to the individual. However some faiths such as Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, and Eastern Orthodox do not accept cremation. If you have any questions or concerns, you should speak with a member of your clergy.
How do I know the ashes won’t get switched?
When aCremation takes someone into our care, a tag is placed on the person and it remains on the body and is verified before the cremation occurs. That identification tags stays with the body throughout the process and is returned with the remains (ashes) to the family.
They are typically a gray/white color although the shade will vary due to different factors.
Can I see the body before the cremation?
You will need to discuss this directly with your aCremation Arrangement Counselor but normally it should be viewed prior to being released to aCremation. Often times, it is recommended that an unembalmed body not have a formal viewing because of the natural decomposition that begins immediately after death or the cosmetic appearance of the body after an autopsy is conducted.
In these circumstances, if a viewing is desired, the family is typically counseled to consider embalming and/or restorative art.
No. Embalming is typically used when the body is going to be openly viewed during a funeral or there is a need to transport the body by rail or airline prior to cremation. Otherwise, refrigeration is used to retard tissue decomposition. Refrigeration protects the general public from potential health hazards.
How long is the actual cremation process?
Typically the entire process takes about 5 hours although the actual time for the body to be consumed is 2-3 hours. Read more
What happens at the end of the cremation process?
Any remains that are not bone fragments are separated and permanently disposed. The bone fragments go through a process where they are grinded and reduced to small before being placed in a temporary container or urn. This is the final stage of the cremation process.
How hot does the cremation chamber get?
The cremation chamber will range from 1600 to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is the body exposed to an open flame during the cremation process?
Yes, the body is exposed to direct heat and flame.
How long do you have to wait before you can do the cremation?
Typically, state law requires a minimum number of hours between the time of death and when the cremation occurs (48 hours in Texas). Only the County Medical Examiner or a Justice of the Peace may waive this requirement. Read more about Legal Requirements.
What is done to the body before the cremation?
Pacemakers are removed. The crematory must be made aware of pacemakers, prosthesis, implants, or other mechanical or radioactive devices (as well as recent radioactive treatments). These items must be removed. If such devices are not removed they can damage the crematory or personnel working nearby.
What remains after the cremation?
Once the process is complete primarily bone fragments remain. The ashes are collected and the fragments are reduced down to small particles then added to the urn or container and returned to the family.
What happens to the remaining gold and medical metal?
Processes may vary between crematories so you should ask your cremation provider about its specific policy. It is always recommended that the family remove jewelry before the cremation service provider takes their loved one into its care.
After a body is cremated, we brush out the crematory chamber to gather all the remains including all jewelry and medical metal. Although gold might not melt, the jewelry itself is frequently destroyed. All material is collected including dental gold and surgical implants. Large pieces of non-natural material are separated, documented and stored in a secure area. aCremation‘s crematories send the materials to a medical recycling company and all proceeds are donated to charity and we retain the documentation of where and when the donations are made.
Is there a requirement that an urn be used?
There is not a legal requirement for a container. If an urn is not purchased from aCremation, a temporary container will be provided. You may wish to purchase a decorative urn for permanent display or memorialization at a later time.