What Happens if You Choose to be Cremated?

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When you pass away, or a loved one has passed, you will need to choose whether to bury or cremate the body. If you choose cremation this doesn’t not determine whether you can have a funeral service or even if the remains are then buried afterwards. Cremation is simply the process of making the body into cremated remains that can then be kept in an urn, scattered or any multitude of options.

A cremation can take place prior to a memorial service or after the funeral has taken place. You can also choose direct cremation which involves only the cremation without any type of service, observance or celebration at the funeral home. After a direct cremation your family can choose to honour you or your loved one in any way they feel is appropriate.

Cremation is an alternative to traditional casketed burial for the body’s final disposition. While you can choose numerous ways to honour a loved one before or after a cremation, there are some specific requirements when preparing for cremation.

  1. A casket is not required for cremation, but all crematoriums require a body to be placed in some kind of rigid, leak-proof, consumable container. 
  2. It is essential that pacemakers and other medical devices be removed prior to cremation.
  3. Some families want special mementos to be placed with their loved one and cremated with them. Some special mementos, such as jewelry, are requested to be returned to the family. We review every option with the family and follow through with every detail.

During the cremation process the casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees F. After approximately 3 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. The remaining bone fragments are known as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner. The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in a temporary container provided by the crematorium or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the cremation process, a carefully controlled labeling system ensures correct identification.

After the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium or taken home by family members to keep, scatter or any number of different options. Be sure to follow all local guidelines related to scattered or burying cremated remains, especially near waterways and other sensitive areas. 

If you are trying to decide if cremation is right for you or a loved one, please review our blog.
A vast majority of Calgarians are now choosing cremation for their final disposition. There are many reasons for this, including many feeling that cremation is a more environmentally friendly option. Learn Why More People Are Choosing Cremation and Is Cremation Environmentally Friendly?

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