There
are many points families may want to follow should they elect to
cremate the remains of a loved one.
- Does the crematory require proper authorization? It is important
to authorize the Funeral Home/ Crematory to cremate by the Next-of-kin
or legal representative. Make sure your funeral home requires
the necessary documents.
- Know whether the funeral director you are choosing owns their
own crematory or if they are using a sub-contractor. If they
have their own facility, there's one less chance for an identification
error.
- Know that you are able to accompany the deceased to the crematory
whether you have a funeral or not. Even if you choose cremation,
you can still have a funeral. A funeral is a ceremony, with
the body present or not. In some cultures, it's important for
the family to actually be part of the cremation. It is the family's
right to be able to witness the beginning of the cremation.
- Ask if the crematory requires a "metal identification
tag" for each deceased. If so, ask the identification number
of your loved one. The tag is usually affixed to the body and
survived the heat of the cremation retort (often in excess of
1,600 degrees). It will be swept out of the retort with the
ashes and calcified bones. It ensures protection of the identity
of the cremains. This tag is a permanent record of whose ashes
are being returned to whom.
- Check with the State of Ohio Board of Funeral Directors and
Embalmers before choosing a funeral home or crematory. Make
sure there have not been any valid complaints filed with the
board about an operation. All funeral homes are licensed by
the state. Any complaints are investigated by the state board.
Families should shy away from operations that have numerous
valid complaints.
- Does the crematory use the same retort for human and animal
cremations? Some cremations perform a service of pet cremations.
Animal cremations and human cremations should be strictly segregated.
- If the family has not chosen a permanent urn, the cremated
remains are usually returned within a plastic bag, within a
cardboard or sealed plastic box. If the family has any questions
about what they have received back, have the funeral director
look at the cremated remains to confirm the contents. They include
small portions of calcified bone, which has been crushed after
the cremation. They should not contain any foreign material.
We hope these points help you in making an informed deciusion
about the cremation. Please contact Richard Ambrose, Licensed
Crematory Operator, with any further questions you may have.
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