After my father passed away suddenly, my mother, siblings and I all struggled with planning his funeral. We were already in a state of shock and sorrow, and then we were overwhelmed with the options and decisions we had to make in regards to the funeral. Luckily for us, we worked with an amazing funeral home and funeral director who helped guide us through the process. I know how hard it is to plan a funeral and how many decisions need to be made. This website was created in order to give families preparing to lay a loved one to rest a guide of sorts that will help them determine what decisions will need to be made and information about those decisions. I extend my sympathies to you if you are in this position and hope my website helps to make things a little bit easier for you.
Arranging a funeral and then a cremation can seem overwhelming due to the many details involved. There are legal requirements to consider, and you'll want to find a reputable cremation provider. Follow these four steps so you can invest time into honoring your loved one's memory instead of getting caught up in the logistics of the cremation.
Meeting the Legal Requirements
First, it's wise to verify that cremation services are consistent with the deceased's wishes. Ideally, they left a will or written testament stating that they preferred cremation. Otherwise, talk with their closest family members and friends to learn if they stated a preference. Also, inquire about the religious commitments if you can't determine how they felt.
Before proceeding with a cremation, contact the county where the departed died to obtain a death certificate. You will need to provide a copy of this certificate to the cremation provider. If you have to transport the remains, you must also obtain a permit from the county. Once all the necessary paperwork is in order, the cremation provider will ask you to sign some documents, including a receipt for the remains.
Finding a Cremation Provider
Licensing rules will vary from state to state so be sure to research professional organizations that accredit cremation service businesses. The National Funeral Directors Association and the Cremation Association of North America are reputable organizations that oversee cremation operations. Additionally, you can ask your area's Chamber of Commerce about locally-based cremation service businesses.
Time and Costs
Typically, it takes a few weeks from the time a customer requests a cremation for the provider to complete the task. Therefore, you should contact a professional early on to avoid prolonging the process after the funeral. Cremations require high temperatures and time. The task usually lasts several hours to complete the cycle of cremating the remains and then cooling off enough to permit the removal of the remains from the chamber.
You can expect a cremation to cost above $1,000. Note that this doesn't include funeral expenses. If the departed was either a veteran or a veteran's family member, the U.S. government may reimburse part of the cost. You can contact the nearest Veterans' Administration office to learn more about death and cremation benefits.
Urns
Funeral businesses often sell urns. However, you have the right to acquire elsewhere. The law also prohibits a cremation provider from charging a customer for bringing in an urn.
Share6 June 2023
