Cremation Services

An alternative to burial

How Is A Cremation Service Different From A Traditional Funeral Service?

It isn’t. Cremation is an alternative to burial. The family may, as with burial, choose a traditional funeral service. There are many options when cremation is chosen. Most often there is visitation and a funeral service. Other options include a memorial service either before or after the cremation takes place, or private or public viewing followed by cremation. The family may choose as much formality or little as they want to have and they also have more options when cremation is chosen. For many it is important to plan some form of a service in order to say goodbye.

Is A Casket Required?

Our crematory requires that the body be enclosed and in an acceptable rigid, leakproof, combustible container. This container or casket must be strong enough to assure the protection of the health and safety of the operator. It should provide a proper covering of the body and meet reasonable standards of respect and dignity. Some crematories will accept metal caskets but most require that the casket be fashioned of a combustible material. The body is cremated in the same enclosure in which it arrives at the crematory. All cremation containers may be viewed here at Anderson-Winfield to ensure proper selection.

How Is A Cremation Accomplished?

The enclosed body is placed in the cremation chamber where through heat and evaporation the body is reduced to its basic elements which are referred to as cremated remains. It may surprise many to learn that ashes are not the final result since cremated remains have neither the appearance nor the chemical properties of ashes — they are, in fact, bone fragments. After preparation, these elements are either placed in a permanent urn or in a temporary container selected by the family at the funeral home.

Depending upon the size of the body, there are normally three to nine pounds of fragments resulting.

Our crematory processes the cremated remains, thereby reducing the space they require.

Isn’t Cremation An End In Itself?

Some people may regard it as such but most families feel that the cremated remains of someone they love should be afforded a resting place that can be identified by their name and birth and death dates. This is memorialization. Most families find that a memorial, regardless of its size, serves a basic human need to remember, and to be remembered. Every life is worth remembering. Since cemeteries are dedicated to the memorialization of human lives, you may wish to consider the many options they provide.
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What Choices Of Memorialization Are Available?

A final resting place for cremated remains can be provided by various means. The family may choose from a full selection of urns for permanent containment of the cremated remains. The urn may be placed in a columbarium, which is a building or structure where single niche space or family units may be selected. Niches are recessed compartments enclosed by either glass protecting the engraved urn or ornamental fronts upon which the name and dates are featured. Of course, family lots may be used and cemeteries often permit the interment of more than one person in an adult space if cremation has occurred. In many cemeteries there are also specially designed areas for this purpose, which are called urn gardens.

How Does The Cost Of Cremation Compare With Burial Or Entombment?

The basic cost for just cremation is somewhat less than traditional burial. However, with so many items of service available to the family both in the funeral service before and in the mode of disposition after, it’s not possible to make an accurate comparison. Again, each family has the option to select as much or as little as they choose and with cremation they have more options.

What About Scattering Cremated Remains?

This may be legally done in most areas, but most believe that in consideration of the descendants of the departed that some form of memorialization should be provided.

Furthermore, there are reasons for not scattering, because it is for many a traumatic experience. It can be soul shaking to spill out all that is mortal of someone you have known and loved. One should realize how much is being asked of the person who is to do the scattering. Some crematories provide scattering gardens within their dedicated property often with the option of personal memorials. The use of dedicated property assures the site chosen will not be developed for other use at some future time. Our funeral directors and staff at the crematory perform the cremation with dignity and we hope the respect afforded these cremated remains will continue until the family has determined their final resting place.

Heart Pacemakers

Pacemakers or similar devices can be explosive when subject to the high temperatures of the cremation chamber.

We will arrange for the removal of the heart pacemaker prior to cremation.

Is Embalming Necessary?

No, but the factors of time, health, possible legal regulations and religious beliefs might make embalming prior to cremation either appropriate or necessary. Embalming is required in Rhode Island when a casket is open for viewing and visitation.

Is A Funeral Director Necessary?

Most governmental jurisdictions require a licensed person to transport a body and to obtain the necessary permits.

Funeral directors are among those so licensed and are the only ones permitted to do so in some jurisdictions. Normally, the funeral director performs the same professional functions regarding cremations as in any other service.

Are More People Choosing Cremation Today?

Yes. In recent years the percentage of cremations to deaths has been increasing steadily in both the United States and Canada. Cremation is accepted by followers of most religious faiths today.

Is It Advisable To Arrange For Cremation In Advance?

Yes. The subject should be certainly be resolved among family members since that determination will have to be made at the time of death. The family should visit the funeral home, learn what is offered in the way of services and memorial alternatives. The family should consult together ahead of time to decide what is best for all.

Arrangements for memorialization also should be made at this time. This way a difficult decision need not be made alone and at a time of grief and confusion.

Our staff has the knowledge, experience and background needed to answer your funeral related questions. A funeral is a trust placed in us that we are honored to handle with compassion and dignity. We will strive to reciprocate that trust by providing you with personalized and professional service.

We would be happy to answer any of your questions that may not be mentioned on our website just email us at info@andersonwinfield.net or call us at (401) 949-0180.

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