Are Family And Friends Permitted To Attend The Direct Cremation Of A Loved One?
Straightforward and simple, direct cremation in Worthington, OH, is a quicker, effective, less costly funerary method. The decedent (a formal term for deceased) is picked up via a hearse or service vehicle at the place of death, then brought to a funeral home or crematorium. Without ceremony, the decedent is then cremated, and a loved one can pick up their ashes within six weeks afterward.
Funeral homes and crematoriums operate under the federal government, so there are regulations in place to protect the general public and crematory workers from accidents. Ergo, witnesses during direct cremations are prohibited. There are such things as witness cremations, however, where loved ones can ask funeral homes or crematoriums, in advance, to be there for the cremation of a decedent. There might be witness limitations since most crematory rooms are limited in size, but it’s considered a viable funerary service for an additional fee.
Does the Bone Matter Burn Down to Ashes During a Cremation?
There’s a common misconception that bone matter turns to ashes immediately upon incineration. That’s not the case. During cremation, the retort (crematory oven) reaches temperatures of almost 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which burns away organic matter. The bones are made from calcium and collagen – great conductors of heat, so they burn differently.
When cremation is complete, the bones have been reduced to a gravel-like consistency. Crematory workers will then use a special device to grind the remains into ashes with a flour-like consistency. It makes them easier to scatter, easier to store in an urn or cremation container, and they no longer resemble bones.
How Long Will Direct Cremation Take?
Once the cremation is underway, it takes 90 minutes to three hours for organic matter to burn away and bones to burn down. After the remains have cooled, it will take another one to two hours for the ashes to be prepared for reclamation. The ashes can then be picked up by a loved one within a six-week time frame. Unclaimed ashes are recorded, then placed in a vault for up to five years to give a decedent’s loved ones ample time to reclaim the ashes.
As for costs, in some parts of the United States, direct cremation can cost as little as $500. However, it’s dependent on the funeral home or crematorium that you use, as well as the funerary arrangements afterward. If you provide your own urn or cremation container, the price is lower for a direct cremation. But if you ask the funeral home or crematorium to provide a container or urn, the cost will be slightly higher due to the additional fee.
Typically, urns and cremation containers cost anywhere from $60 to $350, depending on the size, shape, and quality of materials.
If you’re planning your own funerary services in preparation, because you can never be too prepared for the unexpected, then direct cremation is a viable option. It’s straightforward and effective, sans all of the tradition and extra that comes with classic funeral services.
You can learn more about direct cremation in Worthington, OH. Talk to us at Buckeye Cremation by Schoedinger to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services. Visit our office in Ohio or call our location.
