Cremation FAQ

Unlike burial, cremation is irreversible. Because of this, we take extra care to obtain cremation authorization from the legally identified next of kin, as well as any required agencies, such as the medical examiner. During this 48–72 hour period (depending on state requirements), the deceased is held in a secure, refrigerated environment.

When you speak with us—whether by phone or in person—about the cost of your loved one’s cremation, we are legally required to provide our General Price List (GPL). This document outlines the actual cost of cremation services, including our basic professional services fee, the crematory’s charge for the use of its facilities, and any additional fees related to transportation and the care of the deceased prior to cremation. Because these costs can vary, we are unable to provide an exact cremation price here and encourage you to have an open conversation with your funeral professional.

The answer depends on the specific crematory caring for your loved one, but in most cases, the answer is yes. The level of participation can vary from one crematory to another based on their facilities. If this is important to you or another family member, please speak with your funeral director for guidance.

The FTC’s Funeral Rule ensures that funeral service options are presented fairly and ethically. One of the rights it guarantees is the ability to purchase a cremation urn—or a casket—from a third-party provider. Your funeral director may not prevent you from doing so, charge an additional fee for using a third-party urn, or require that you be present when it is delivered to the funeral home.

As we’ve shared elsewhere, the word “should” doesn’t need to be part of this conversation. There are many ways to care for cremated remains—including simply bringing them home for safekeeping. You may know exactly what you’d like to do, or you may not—and that’s perfectly okay. Be patient with yourself; the right choice often becomes clear in time.

There are many possibilities to consider. Scattering on land or at sea is one of the most common, but cremated remains can also be incorporated into keepsake jewelry or transformed into meaningful works of art. There is no have-to-do—only a want-to-do, and that choice is entirely yours. If you’re curious about the options, just give us a call. We’re always happy to share what we know.

The short answer is "no", but there are exceptions. Let's say you want to have a viewing or visitation. If that's the case, it may be prudent to embalm your loved one, so they look their best for the event; so much so that the funeral home may require that you purchase the service. However, with that said, under the FTC's Funeral Rule, we cannot: provide embalming services without your permission, and may not lead you to believe embalming is required by law. In addition, we must provide you with written disclosures related to the embalming of your loved one.

This question is best answered by discussing the specifics—such as the type of crematory equipment being used and the size of your loved one. In most cases, the cremation process itself takes approximately 2 to 2½ hours. A cooling period follows, after which the cremated remains are processed to ensure a uniform appearance. If this is an important concern for you, we encourage you to speak directly with your funeral director.

Most crematories use natural gas or LP gas, and in some cases diesel fuel. This can be a concern for those who view cremation as a more environmentally friendly alternative to burial. If environmental impact is important to you, we encourage you to speak with your funeral director about your options. Alternatives may include burial in a green or environmentally protected cemetery.

You might be surprised how often we hear this question. Some people choose not to be dressed, preferring to “go out” the same way they came into the world. More often, however, the deceased is dressed in clothing they selected before their passing or chosen by family members afterward.

What is considered “special” can vary, but we do our best to honor the wishes of surviving family members whenever possible. Most often, families ask to include notes, children’s drawings, or other personal messages of love. On occasion, we also receive more unique requests, such as the inclusion of a cherished pet’s collar or another meaningful keepsake. Because regulations vary by crematory, we encourage you to speak with your funeral director to understand what is permitted for your loved one’s cremation.

Certainly not. Cremation simply describes the type of physical end-of-life care chosen for your loved one. A commemoration service is for the living, and those affected by the loss deserve the same thoughtful care and attention. One of the benefits of cremation is the wider window of time it allows for planning a meaningful celebration of life. Your funeral professional can guide you through the arrangements and help create a service that truly honors your loved one.

Think of the Taj Mahal in India and you’ll have a good sense of what a mausoleum is: a free-standing building—typically located within a cemetery—that serves both as a monument and as a burial place for casketed individuals.

A columbarium serves a similar purpose but differs in design. Instead of full-size crypts for caskets, it contains smaller niche spaces designed to hold one, and sometimes two, cremation urns.

We would never presume to tell you which service is right for your loved one. However, your funeral director is there to guide and advise you—explaining the differences between service formats, such as a traditional funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life, and sharing examples of meaningful services they’ve helped families create. All of this is done with one purpose: to empower you to make the decision that feels right for you.

When you speak with us—whether by phone or in person—about the cost of your loved one’s cremation, we are legally required to provide our General Price List (GPL). This list outlines the full cost of cremation services, including our basic professional services fee, the crematory’s charge for the use of its facilities, and any additional fees related to transportation and the care of the deceased prior to cremation.

It’s difficult to answer this question without knowing the specifics of your cremation arrangements. That said, there may be additional charges for items or services provided by third parties, such as publishing your loved one’s obituary in a local newspaper. If you choose a decorative cremation urn and wish to personalize it with an engraved nameplate, a small additional fee may also apply.

When you meet with us to make cremation arrangements for your loved one, we will provide a copy of our General Price List (GPL). One section of this list outlines the exact price—or a good-faith estimate—of commonly requested cash advance items.

The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School defines a cash advance item as “any item of service or merchandise obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral provider on the purchaser’s behalf.” These items may include, but are not limited to, cemetery or crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, nurses, obituary notices, gratuities, and death certificates.

The reason is straightforward: we are required to pay for third-party services or merchandise at the time they are purchased on your behalf. Because of this, payment for all cash advance items is due when the cremation service contract is agreed to and signed by the responsible family member. If you would like more detailed information about our payment policies, we encourage you to call and speak with a member of our cremation service team.

Yes, you can. Burial may take place in the ground, or your loved one’s cremation urn may be placed in a columbarium niche. We encourage you to speak with your funeral director to learn more about the cremation burial options available to you.

You'll need to provide the documents/information required to complete your loved one's death certificate and obituary. If you are planning to have a service, you may also wish to bring in a collection of family photographs to be used in making a tribute video or in the decoration of the service location. Other items may be needed at some point, depending on the arrangements made. Your funeral director will provide you with an exact list of the things he or should would like you to bring along to the arrangement conference.

Of course you can. In fact, any family member-or even a close friend-may step in to take care of this task. Our website’s Guidance section offers a variety of helpful resources, including tips for writing an obituary, and we are always available to assist you if needed.