The death of a loved one is a high-emotion experience that all people endure. On top of dealing with the grief of loss, there is the matter of deciding how best to memorialize them. While some family members leave explicit instructions for how they want their funerals to be handled, others are less clear about their wishes. Cremation is an option that is becoming more and more widely adopted, and yet many people don’t know much about the cremation process. Here is what happens when you cremate a loved one.
The body is transported to the crematory
The first step of the cremation process is very similar to any other type of burial. The body of the deceased will first need to be transported to the crematory to be prepared for cremation. A crematory is a specialized machine which uses heat to reduce all soft tissue to ash, so that it can be kept and memorialized in a special container. The skeletal bones are reduced to ash through similar machinery. Think of a crematory is similar to the embalming process for casket-funerals; before any funeral, all bodies must be prepared in a specific way, and cremation is no different. These buildings are designed with the most pristine hygiene in mind, so that there is no accidental contamination of the body during the cremation process. Often times, clean room specialists are involved to ensure that the highest standards are followed.
All necessary paperwork is completed
Most cremation services will also help you complete all necessary paperwork to accompany the death of a loved one. For example, Legacy Cremation Services will help you properly fill out death certificates, social security forms, and even veterans policies and benefits. A crematorium can also coordinate the medical examiner’s approval of cremation, which is necessary to have prior to your cremation. All of this paperwork needs to be completed as part of the burial process, and having a service help walk you through these tasks can be particularly helpful.
Two separate containers are used
One common misconception about cremation is that when the body is cremated it is directly placed into the container that will be handed over to the family. In actuality, two different containers are used during a cremation. The first container, commonly called an alternative container, is the one that the body becomes cremated in. Afterwards, the ashes are transferred into a different container, called a rigid container. The rigid container is the one that you or your family members will select, and many families who plan on keeping their loved one’s remains in these types of jars will pick an ornate or decorative one. Pricing will vary based on which option you choose; however, there are usually some simple containers included in the base pricing of your crematorium’s services. You may also want to opt for a simpler urn or container if you ultimately plan on scattering the ashes of the deceased instead of retaining them.
You must clear things with the estate
When a loved one passes away, there are quite a bit of technical tasks to complete beyond just planning a memorial service. Clearing things with your loved one’s estate is one such task. Some individuals leave behind a clear will and testament, while others may only leave some instructions for their next of kin. You may want to consult with a local estate lawyer to help you manage this process so that everything is executed appropriately.
While there are often a lot of questions surrounding the death of a loved one, most funeral homes have services which are available to help you walk each step of the journey. Cremation services vary a bit from casket-based burials; however, both are equally touching when it comes to ways to memorialize a loved one.
