When a death occurs and cremation has been chosen, the cremation provider is called by a family member, caregiver, minister, or anyone the family chooses.

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 as much as 18 hours after death. The time-frame is decided by the family.

Upon removal, the deceased is taken to the crematory and placed in storage for the period required by law before cremation can occur. The actual process of cremation itself normally takes two to three hours. Ashes typically weigh several pounds, and take up a space of approximately 150 to 200 cubic inches.

The cremated remains will be swept into a temporary container after completion of the actual cremation process. Afterwards, the ashes are placed in a temporary container unless a permanent one has been selected, and are returned to the family or transported to another specified location.

Our firm also assists with the memorial or graveside services, or the scattering service for cremation procedures as allowed by state law. If you bury or place the cremated remains in a niche or columbarium, a permanent container is often used. The funeral director can assist the family in scheduling any viewing or ceremonies of remembrance that are to occur before the process of cremation, or any post-cremation memorial services, or scattering ceremonies.

The cremation provider usually handles the death certificate filing and notification to Social Security (and the Veterans' Administration if the deceased was a veteran).