Rollins Resource Page

Education on Cremation

Cremation, as a method of disposition, is a time honored and dignified funeral rite that has been practiced for centuries. It was a traditional part of elegant rites performed in ancient Rome, Greece, Native American nations, Thailand and India. It was also a form of tribute used to honor leaders including high lamas of Tibet and Viking kings who were cremated on ships set aflame at sea.

Cremation is a highly personal choice. For some, it is a departure from family burial tradition. Choosing cremation is a reflection of an individual's beliefs and preferences. There are various reasons why people choose cremation over burial. These reasons range from environmental concerns to religious beliefs. You can obtain more detailed information on cremation from your funeral director.

Identification
Due to the permanent nature of cremation, positive identification of the body is required before cremation can take place. Many states require a waiting period before a body can be cremated. If there won't be a viewing, the body is refrigerated until cremation. If there will be a viewing prior to cremation, the body will need to be embalmed. Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body.

Once positive identification has been made, the body is placed in a cremation casket or cremation container. Cremation caskets are made of wood and have few metal bars and hinges. If a cremation casket is not used, federal law requires that the body be placed in a cremation container. The cremation container, made from corrugated materials, is a combustible, covered container that must be leakproof. These containers are available from your funeral home.

Some cremation providers allow you to witness the cremation casket or container being placed into the cremation chamber. In some cases, you can even start the cremation process. If you are interested in being present during this process, please inform your funeral director in advance.

Important Considerations
Certain medical devices such as pacemakers and radioactive implants can be potentially hazardous to cremation personnel during the cremation process. Pacemakers can explode in the extreme heat. Please inform your funeral director if your loved one has any type of medical device. They must be removed prior to cremation. It is possible to recycle pacemakers and protheses.

Cremation Process
During cremation, the body is exposed to intense heat (1400 - 2000 degrees Fahrenheit) for a period of 2-3 hours. During this time all matter is consumed with the exception of bone fragments, metal casket hinges, jewelry or protheses. Cremation time varies with the size and weight of the body. After cremation is complete, the cremated remains are allowed to cool and then removed from the cremation chamber.

The utmost care is taken when removing the cremated remains. Special brushes, rakes and other equipment are used to remove the remains from the cremation chamber. It is important to note that it is virtually impossible to recover all of the remains. A small amount will be left behind and commingle with the next cremation. Large bone fragments are further processed for placement inside an urn or temporary container. Be assured that each cremation is done individually. Non-combustible items that remain after cremation such as metal, jewelry, etc are removed and disposed of in a non-recoverable manner in accordance with applicable laws. Since you will be unable to recover any non-combustible items after the cremation, you must notify your funeral director prior to cremation if you would like jewelry or other items removed from the deceased.

The cremated remains look similar to crushed seashells and can weigh between four and eight pounds depending upon the size of the person cremated. The remains will be placed in a temporary plastic or cardboard container if an urn has not yet been chosen.

Cremation may take place before or after the funeral ceremony. Cremating the body following the funeral service allows for viewing, and also allows the body to be present for the funeral service. If a family decides on cremation before the service, the cremated remains are placed in a cremation urn, which may be present at the memorial service.

The cremation urn may be buried, placed in a columburium or taken home as a memorial. The cremated remains may also be scattered in accordance with local and state ordinances. Appropriate urns are available for whichever disposition of the remains is chosen.

Personalization

There are numerous ways that you can personalize a funeral or memorial service. Services can be traditional or as unique as the life being celebrated. Below are a few ideas to consider. Feel free to discuss your ideas with a Rollins funeral director. Together, you can come up with a funeral arrangement that not only meets your budget but is a fitting tribute to your loved one.

Memory Boards and Tables
Ask your Rollins funeral director about using memory boards or tables. You can display cherished photos of your loved one on a memory board. If your loved one had a hobby, feel free to display objects related to that hobby such as crafts, collectibles, golf clubs, etc. Some families even allow guests to take a craft or collectible of their choosing as a remembrance of the deceased. If you have family photo albums, they can be placed around the visitation room or on a memory table for guests to look through.

Family Videos
If you have home movies, ask your Rollins funeral director about having a TV and VCR available during the visitation so that your guests may relive or experience family memories during happier times. Or, friends and family can take turns telling a story or relating a special memory about the deceased. The stories whether happy or sad can help those present to work through the beginning of their grief within the support of the group. In this way, your family and friends can celebrate the life of your loved one while sharing their grief.

Casket/Urn Personalization
Your funeral director can also help you personalize the casket or urn. Many casket styles come with personalization panels. These panels are displayed in the raised lid of the casket. These panels can reflect the life of a gardener, sports enthusiast, animal lover, veteran, member of the armed services, fisherman, etc.

Some panels also depict religious affiliation or cultural background. Aurora even offers a casket with seven interchangeable styles of corners and matching insert panels. The corner styles include: praying hands, celtic cross, columns, wheat stalks, pieta, angel and latin cross.

Cremation urns can also be personalized in similar ways. Many styles of cremation urns can be engraved not only with the deceased's name and dates but also with a design that reflects a particular hobby, interest or religious affiliation. For urns that cannot be engraved, Aurora offers engraved easels that can be placed next to the urn.

Personal Virtual Memorialization

This is the newest form of personalization. Online obituaries, virtual gardens and memorialization web sites are new to the Internet but gaining in popularity. With virtual memorialization, you can place information, stories and pictures about your loved one on a memorialization web site and have it as a perpetual memorial for future family member. Friends and family all over the world can read and submit memorials. In some cases, you may even be able to receive a hardbound copy of your memorialization.

Talk with your Rollins funeral director. We offer this service through our web site.