Cremation Services

Cremation: An Alternative to Burial

Cremation is chosen as an alternative to traditional burial for various reasons, including religious beliefs, environmental concerns, or because it was requested by the deceased. It is also a more cost-effective option compared to burial.

Choosing cremation as the method of disposition does not mean you can’t have a funeral. In fact, cremation and a funeral service can go hand in hand. Many families opt for a traditional funeral service with a visitation, followed by cremation. This allows loved ones to gather, celebrate the life of the deceased, and say goodbye before the cremation takes place.

You can still hold a meaningful ceremony with a cremation, whether it’s a funeral, memorial service, or a celebration of life. The service can be personalized with meaningful rituals, music, and reflections on your loved one’s life, and you can choose to have the cremated remains present in a decorative urn or a location of your choosing.

Cremation offers flexibility in how you choose to honor your loved one, allowing you to create a service that feels right for you and your family.

View our Cremation Service Option Packages

It’s important to note that cremation is not a replacement for a funeral, but rather an alternative to burial or other forms of disposition.

After cremation, the remains can be:

There are also unique ways to memorialize the cremated remains, such as placing them in an artificial coral reef, launching them into space, sending them up in helium balloons, or transforming them into glass art or diamonds.

We can help guide you through the decision-making process and offer support based on your preferences and beliefs. 


Cremation FAQ

What is Cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame.  Cremation is not the final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service.

Is a casket needed for Cremation?

No, a casket is not required, most states require an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard, however, in some states no container is required.

Is embalming required prior to cremation?

No.  In fact it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise.

Can the body be viewed without embalming?

Yes, most crematories allow immediate family members to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation.

Can the family witness the cremation?

Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber.  Some religious groups even include this as part of their funeral custom.

Can an urn be brought into church?

Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service.  Most Catholic Churches also allow the remains to be present during the Memorial Mass.  It is encouraged that cremated remains be a part of a funeral as it provides a focal point for the service.

What can be done with the cremated remains?

While laws vary state by state, for the most part remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home or scattered.

How can I be sure I receive the correct remains?

All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error.  Since it is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time, and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time, it is next to impossible to receive the incorrect remains.

How long does the actual cremation take?

It all depends on the weight of the individual.  For an average sized adult, cremation can take two to three hours at a normal operating temperature of between 1,000 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What do the cremated remains look like?

Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color.  The remains of an average sized adult usually weighs between 7 and 8 pounds.

Are all the cremated remains returned?

With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family.

Do I need an urn?

An urn is not required by law.  However, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery.  If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container.