Cremation Process

Before cremation:
The following must be done before cremation:

1. any scheduled viewings have been completed,
2. 24 hours have transpired since death occurred or positive identification has been made by direct viewing,
3. civil and medical authorities have issued all required permits,
4. all necessary authorizations have been obtained, and
5. no objections have been raised.

Most crematories will require either a casket or an alternative (cremation) container for cremation.

All caskets and alternative containers must meet the following standards:

1. be composed of materials suitable for cremation,
2. be able to be closed to provide a complete covering for the human remains,
3. be resistant to leakage or spillage, and
4. be sufficient for handling with ease.

Many caskets that are comprised of combustible materials also contain some exterior parts (decorative handles or rails) that are not combustible and that may cause damage to the cremation equipment. The crematory will remove these noncombustible materials prior to cremation and discard them with similar materials from other cremations and other refuse in a non-recoverable manner.

Most crematories will not cremate caskets or containers made of certain plastics, fiberglass or any materials such as metal or other materials, that are not entirely combustible.

Pacemakers, prostheses, and other medical devices, as well as any other mechanical or radioactive devices implanted in the decedent, may create a hazardous condition when placed in the cremation chamber. It is imperative that pacemakers and radioactive devices be removed prior to cremation.

Necessary authorizations and identification of the deceased will be in writing and must be signed by one or more authorizing agents. The authorizing agent(s) will also give instructions as to the disposition of the cremated remains.


The Actual Cremation
All cremations should be performed individually.

Cremation is performed by placing the deceased in a casket or other container and then placing the container into the cremation chamber or retort where they are subjected to intense heat and flame. During the cremation process, it may be necessary to open the cremation chamber and reposition the deceased in order to facilitate a complete and thorough cremation. Through the use of a suitable fuel, incineration of the container and contents is accomplished and all substances are consumed or driven off, except bone fragments (calcium compounds) and metal (including dental gold and silver and other non-human material) as the temperature is not sufficient to consume them.

Due to the nature of the cremation process, any personal possessions or valuable materials, such as dental gold or jewelry (as well as any body prosthesis or dental bridgework), that are left with the decedent and not removed from the casket or container prior to cremation will be destroyed.

The cremated remains will be swept into a temporary container after completion of the actual cremation process. The crematory makes a reasonable effort to remove all of the cremated remains from the cremation chamber, but it is impossible to remove all of them, as some dust and other residue from the process might be left behind. While every effort will be made to avoid commingling, inadvertent or incidental commingling of minute particles of cremated remains from the residue of previous cremations is a possibility and is allowed by law. All noncombustible materials such as bridgework, hinges from the casket, etc. will be separated from the cremated remains.

When the cremated remains are removed from the cremation chamber, the skeletal remains often contain bone fragments. Unless otherwise specified, the bone fragments will be mechanically processed (pulverized). The cremated remains will then be placed in an urn or designated container. The crematory will make a reasonable effort to put all of the cremated remains into one urn or designated container. In the event the urn or container provided is too small to accommodate all of the cremated remains, the excess will be placed in a separate receptacle and the two receptacles will be kept together and handled according to the disposition instructions by the authorizing agent(s).