Cremation FAQ
Our funeral home does not own or operate its own crematory, and there are two very simple reasons why we do not. First, our funeral home has long standing relationships with the crematories operated by Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, MN, and Wieser Crematory in La Crescent, MN. Both crematories have proven to provide excellent service to our funeral home and the families we serve. Second, to be very honest, for a family-owned funeral home such as ours to install and operate a crematory is a tremendous financial investment. By using an independent crematory, it is simply less expensive for our funeral home, and this is savings that we are then able to pass on to consumers.
This is a slogan you may have heard used by some local funeral homes. Obviously, at some point your loved one will leave our care - they will either be cremated, buried, etc. It is our funeral home's policy that your loved one will remain at our funeral home until that time we have met all of the necessary legal requirements for the cremation to occur. We will then make an appointment with the crematory, a licensed funeral director from our staff will transfer your loved one to the crematory, and will be present as your loved one is placed into the crematory and the cremation process is begun.
The simple answer to this question is no, you do not have to be embalmed if you want to be cremated. Embalming may be required by law if you would like to have the body present for a public viewing before the cremation happens. Minnesota law does allow the body to be viewed without emabalming, but this viewing is only for the deceased's immediate family, and will usually have to be completed within a certain period from the time of death.
If you want to be cremated, you do not have to buy a casket. Most crematories, however, do require that the body must be brought to the crematory in a container that is rigid, and fully encases the body for the cremation. This container is usually very simple and basic, is made of materials such as heavy cardboard or wood, and is cremated with the deceased.
For families who choose to have a traditional viewing and funeral ceremony with the body present before the cremation takes place, our funeral home offers a wooden ceremonial casket, often commonly called a "rental casket". The ceremonial casket may have been used in a previous funeral service, and if so, the interior lining of the casket has been either replaced or thoroughly cleaned.
Cremation refers to the process of transforming the body into bone fragments using heat. Any metal objects that may have been included with the body are then removed and the remaining fragments are crushed into an ash. Today, many people from various backgrounds are choosing cremation as a more economic and convenient option to a traditional burial.
Cremated remains, a.k.a. cremains, refers to the ashes that remain after the cremation process.
Cremation has become increasingly popular due to its affordability among other reasons. Many people also choose cremation for environmental concerns, the dignity and simplicity of cremation, and the flexibility it affords in the planning and disposition of the body.
Yes. Our modern facility is designed to allow family members to be present during the cremation process.
No. State laws do not mandate embalming prior to cremation. Our proper refrigeration technique and modern facilities eliminate that need. However, the family may opt for embalming when having a funeral service or viewing.
The law does not require that families supply an urn. However, the family may choose to bury the remains in an urn, place the urn in a columbarium, store the remains in an urn, or use an urn during a memorial service. If choosing to bury the urn in a cemetery, you may be required to select an urn vault as well which will protect the urn and the surrounding earth.
The cremation process does not require a casket although there are caskets made specifically for this purpose. All that is needed is a combustible container which will be cremated with the body. This container can be made of wood or cardboard and will offer dignity for the deceased.
The cremated remains will be handled according to the family’s wishes. The remains can be kept at home, buried in the ground, inurned in a columbarium, or scattered on private or public property depending on state law. They can also be placed in a variety of objects such as a rock or bench outdoors or a piece of jewelry or other keepsake.
Yes. With a cremation, there are even more options for services than with a burial. There can be a funeral service and a viewing prior to cremation or a memorial service with or without the remains present. There can also be a service to scatter or bury the remains. It is completely up to the wishes of the family.