Cremation is a process in which intense heat is used to transform the body back to its basic elements. The body, enclosed in a container approved for cremation, is placed in a cremation chamber. The soft tissue is vaporized. The remains, called cremains, are not ashes, but bone fragments weighing from three to nine pounds on average. The cremains can be kept by the survivors in a cremation urn or container, stored in a columbarium, buried or scattered, depending on local laws and regulations. We offer local aerial scattering as well if so desired by the family.
Cremation does not take the place of customary funeral services; it's merely another form of final disposition. You may chose cremation as the means for disposition and still elect to have an open or closed casket funeral service. We offer cremation options from a direct cremation with no viewing, visitation or religious rites, to a full service funeral, which may include a public or private wake, and a service followed by cremation. There are many options and choices in planning a service with cremation.
As with a "traditional" funeral, cremation services can be personalized in many of the same ways. Personal items displayed at the visitation, personalized casket and urns. We would be happy to discuss any special request or ideas you have to make the any service more meaningful. We offer picture collage boards and will be able to make video tributes soon. As with any funeral, arrangements can be as individual as the people involved.