Frequent Questions

Yes, we own and operate our own crematory.

No, we have found that many families prefer to make arrangements in the comfort of their own homes. The arrangements can be handled online and we can also hand deliver the cremains to your home.

No. While almost every funeral home offers cremation, only a small percentage of cremation service providers have their own cremation units.

You can keep the cremated remains in your possession, scatter where allowed, bury in a cemetery, or place in a mausoleum. A portion of the cremated remains may be kept as a remembrance usually in a mini urn or keepsake jewelry.

Yes. We offer services that allow immediate family members to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation in our private viewing room at the crematory.

To arrange a cremation, the person or persons who are legal next of kin must consent to the cremation, by signing an authorization form. Our staff will prepare the death certificate and cremation permit. The death certificate will be taken to the physician who will sign it. After the death certificate is completed by the physician, it is taken to the health department in the county where death occurred. The health department contacts the medical examiner for that county who must approve the cremation permit. Upon receiving approval from the medical examiner, the local registrar of vital statistics will issue a cremation permit along with certified copies of the death certificate. After all of the properly executed documents are received in our office, the actual cremation can be scheduled.

Our goal is to complete the cremation as quickly as possible; however, the process is dependent on several different agencies and the doctor who is responsible for signing the death certificate. For 90% of the families we serve the average turnaround is 3 to 5 business days.

Yes. We will be happy to assist you with placing an obituary in the newspaper of your choice. Most papers will have a charge for placement in their paper, however, we will place the obituary on our website, where friends and family can leave condolences online at no cost to you.

Yes. You are always welcome at our arrangement office, please just make an appointment prior to your visit. We are also available to come to your home, or meet you at your convenience.

It takes about 7-10 days to get the cremation. A signed death certificate by your loved one's doctor is one of the main requirements to do a cremation which takes several days. 

No! We do offer other services; however, there are no hidden fees in our packages.

We publish the obituary notice on our website free of charge and there is no limit to the length of the online obituary. The publication of an obituary notice in a newspaper is a matter of your personal choice. While most newspapers control the editorial format, you have the right to limit the amount of information, if any, provided to them at a cost determined by the newspaper.

There is a choice of very affordable cremation caskets that are completely combustible. The selection includes options from a plain cardboard container to a hardwood casket.

Yes. The remains are normally placed in an urn. Most families select an urn that is suitable for placement on a mantle or shelf. Urns are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

No. Embalming is not required for cremation.

The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1600 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately, 2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. The residue that is left is bone fragments, known as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner. The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in the container provided by the crematorium or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the cremation process, a carefully controlled labeling system ensures correct identification.

Children grieve just as adults do. Any child old enough to form a relationship will experience some form of grief when a relationship is severed. Adults may not view a child's behavior as grief as it is often demonstrated in behavioral patterns which we misunderstand and do not appear to us to be grief such as “moody,” “cranky,” or “withdrawn.” When a death occurs, children need to be surrounded by feelings of warmth, acceptance, and understanding. This may be a tall order to expect of the adults who are experiencing their own grief and are upset. Caring adults can guide children through this time when the child is experiencing feelings for which they have no words and thus cannot identify. In a very real way, this time can be a growth experience for the child, teaching about love and relationships. The first task is to create an atmosphere in which the child’s thoughts, fears, and wishes are recognized. This means that they should be allowed to participate in any of the arrangements, or gatherings which are comfortable for them. They should be listened to carefully.