Cremation

Does cremation allow for any additional services?

Many people have varied understandings of what cremation means.  Truly, cremation is simply an alternative to burial.  Choosing cremation for final disposition does not preclude clients from opting for visiting hours and/or a ceremony, just the same as burial allows for additional service options.

Explore Cremation Service Options

Who is the legal next-of-kin?

Kinship can be a complicated matter for some families, but to identify next-of-kin as a legal matter, we follow a traditional family hierarch:

• Spouse; all living adult children; all living parents; all living siblings; in the absence of any of the previously listed adults living, special circumstances may need addressed.  
• Legal kinship does not allow discretion. Whether someone has a Power of Attorney document at the time of death, the closeness of one’s relationship of one person within the same class as compared to another, or estrangement.  All members of the same class have the same legal authority and must give consent.
• In certain circumstances, a will may specify someone to take authority for funeral arrangements.  Ideally, this will or other such document will specify the name of the person in charge as well as specifying “cremation” rather than funeral arrangements”.

Must you use an alternative container (cremation casket)?

Yes.  The crematory, not the funeral home, requires the use of an alternative container.  This vessel allows the crematory operators to safely handle the individual with ease when transferring the body into the cremation chamber.  

At the funeral home, this is the vessel your loved one will occupy during identification of his/her body.  This provides a more pleasant moment for your family.  This also allows the funeral home staff a covered vessel for transportation to the crematory, as well as providing dignity to the deceased so as to not have the body exposed to those assisting with the cremation process.  While an alternative container is a requirement, you are not required to purchase this container directly from the funeral home. 

Is clothing required?

No.  However, clothing is appropriate.  The funeral home does not charge additional fees to have the deceased dressed with dignity.  We presume the family also appreciates seeing their loved one dressed, rather than seeing him/her bare.  The clothing can be as simple or ornate as you wish. Please be mindful the clothing will be consumed during the cremation process.

Is identification required?

Yes. Identification is a legal requirement (not a funeral home requirement).  Any individual who knows the deceased is qualified to perform the identification.  However, this person does not need to be a family member.  The funeral home will not perform the identification itself using photo or description.  Most families appreciate the opportunity to see their loved one a final time before cremation and our funeral home makes every effort to make this meaningful moment special.  The basic cost for cremation also includes bathing, dressing, and laying to rest in an alternative container.  You will see your loved one a final time in one of our formal reposing rooms, allowing you a few moments of privacy and comfort to pay your final respects.

Is the purchase of an urn required? 

No.  After cremation, the crematory returns the remains in a simple plastic bag, which is sealed shut.  That bag is then placed into a black plastic box and returned to the family.  While an urn purchase is not required, most families prefer a receptacle more aesthetically pleasing.  Our funeral home offers an extensive array of urns, all with different purpose.  Some urns are intended for scattering remains, some are better suited for earth burial, some cemeteries have specifications for dimension or material which we can accommodate, while others are kept at home as decorative displays.  The funeral home also has a selection of keepsake urns intended for dividing the remains among several family members or to keep a small portion for oneself while inurning the majority.  If you do not desire anything more than a simple plastic box, we also offer affordable, yet tasteful chests to hold the box.  

Is a funeral home required to host a funeral service?

Our funeral home hopes to assist with each service our client may host.  Some clients engage the funeral home to perform a simple cremation and nothing more.  Some ask the funeral home to host a memorial service.  However, some don’t realize the funeral home can participate in services at other locations with the urn present.  We have working relationships with most churches.  Our service to you can include contacting and securing the venue location, coordinating with musicians and officiants, learning expected fees so the client doesn’t need to hold an uncomfortable conversation with the venue, providing stationary supplies and flower arrangements, or even placing a newspaper notification/obituary on your behalf.  We also instruct visitors, handle any last minute deliveries to your venue of choice, and provide ease to your event so your time can be better used that day. Our staff can provide formality and organization to you during an already trying time.  We hope to care for every small and unexpected detail so you can instead focus your time on family and friends.  

Is embalming required for cremation?

No.  Embalming is not required for a simple cremation. Jefferson Funeral Chapel makes accommodations for the final identification of your loved one to extend for as long as one hour.  Your preferences will be addressed during the funeral arrangement conference.  Any period of time beyond one hour is not a “direct cremation.”  Embalming creates a proper presentation of the deceased and allows for cosmetic application and hairstyling for formal viewing hours.  The viewing hours may be reserved as private, for family only.  The viewing hours may also be made available to the public for any period of time beyond one hour and for a maximum of four hours per day.  Please don’t hesitate to hold this discussion with a funeral director.