FAQS

Frequent Questions

Click on the questions below to reveal each respective answer.

  • What is cremation?

    It can be helpful to first clarify what cremation is not. Cremation is not the final resting place for remains, nor is it a type of funeral service on its own. Instead, it is the process of using intense heat to reduce the body to its basic bone fragments.

  • How long does the actual cremation take?

    The duration of cremation depends on the individual’s size. For an average adult, the process typically takes two to three hours at standard temperatures ranging from 1,500°F to 2,000°F.

  • What happens after the cremation is complete?

    After cremation, the remaining organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, along with any non-combusted metal items, are collected in a stainless steel cooling pan. Items such as metal from clothing or medical implants are carefully separated from the remains using visual inspection and a strong magnet for smaller pieces. The remaining bone fragments are then processed to a uniform size and placed in a permanent urn.

  • What do the cremated remains look like?

    Cremated remains have the texture of coarse sand and are typically whitish to light gray in color. For an average adult, the remains generally weigh between four and eight pounds.

  • In what kind of container are the cremated remains returned?

    The cremated remains are returned in the urn chosen by the family (additional fees may apply). We offer a wide variety of permanent urns for you to select from.

  • Are all the cremated remains returned?

    Except for tiny microscopic particles that cannot be removed from the cremation chamber or processing equipment, all cremated remains are returned to the family.

  • What can be done with the cremated remains?

    There are several options for final placement. Cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery or cremation garden, placed in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property.

  • Is cremation accepted by all religions?

    Today, most religions permit cremation, with exceptions including Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and some Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church allows cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons that conflict with Christian beliefs, and the ashes are kept intact rather than divided or scattered. Burial in a cemetery is generally preferred.

  • Can an urn be brought into church?

    While many religions permit the urn to be present during the service, it’s recommended that you check with your specific church for guidance.