Many people choose cremation as an alternative to burial because of their religious convictions, their wish to protect the environment, or because the deceased specifically desired it. Compared to burial, cremation is also a less expensive choice. The remains are placed in a combustible container and placed in a special furnace called a cremation chamber or a crematory, where they are reduced to bone fragments through extreme heat before being crushed and ground into sand-like particles. An average adult body will yield 7-8 pounds of cremated remains. Cremation is an option for burial or other forms of disposition, not a funeral or other type of service. Dispersing cremated remains is an option.

Cremation FAQ

What is Cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame. Cremation is not the final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service.

Is a casket needed for Cremation?

No, a casket is not required, most states require an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard, however, in some states no container is required.

Is embalming required prior to cremation?

No.  In fact, it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise.

Can the body be viewed without embalming?

Yes, most crematories allow immediate family members to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation.

Can the family witness the cremation?

Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber.  Some religious groups even include this as part of their funeral custom.

What can be done with the cremated remains?

While laws vary state by state, for the most part remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home or scattered.

How do I ensure that I will receive the correct remains?

It is next to impossible to receive the incorrect cremated remains. All reputable cremation providers, including ourselves here at May Funeral Homes, have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to minimize the potential for human error. It is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time.

How long does the actual cremation take?

It all depends on the weight of the individual.  For an average sized adult, cremation can take 2-3 hours.

What do the cremated remains look like?

Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color.  The remains of an average sized adult usually weighs between 7 and 8 pounds.

Are all the cremated remains returned?

All of the cremated remains are given back to the family. The only exceptions are the minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine.

Do I need an urn?

An urn is not required by law, however, an urn may be desired if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery.  If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container.