It is not required, but strongly recommended. Cremation is not only a means of disposition of the body, but part of a process that involves transportation of the body, securing of death certificates and many other tasks that the average family is ill-equipped to handle. That is why the use of your local funeral home is strongly advised.

As laws and regulations vary from state to state your local funeral director is best qualified to help the family through this difficult and emotional time. 

If you have cremation prearrangements in place at a local funeral home,
call the firm and notify the staff that death is imminent. At this point,
notification is the only step to be taken.

• Once the call is received, the deceased will be removed as specified in their pre-filed instructions.
• If no instructions are on file, a funeral director will assist the next of kin in making all necessary decisions.
• Removal may be immediate, or delayed to allow a gathering of family members. The time-frame is decided by the family and the funeral firm.
• Upon removal, the deceased is taken to the funeral home and placed in storage for the period required by law before cremation can occur.It helps the firm in being ready when needed. Your attention can be devoted entirely to family, friends and to your own well-being at this time.