Cremation Services
Cremation Services
Choosing cremation doesn't mean a family isn't able to have a service for their loved one. Cremation allows the family opportunity to have as traditional or contemporary service that they feel will honor their loved one. There is lots of opportunity to personalize the services to match the personality of an individual.
Cremation Process & Timing
Once our funeral home is notified of the death, one of our staff will go and bring the deceased individual into our care. They will stay at the funeral home until it is time for the cremation to be performed. In the State of Michigan, cremation can only be performed when the death certificate has been signed, the medical examiner in county of death has issued a cremation permit, and the legal next of kin has signed an authorization. Your funeral director will facilitate in getting these documents signed. The process of procuring all documents required can take as little as a few days to a week and half. Please note that the local crematory that we use does allow family members to witness the cremation if desired. Please discuss your wishes with the funeral director so they may give additional guidance.
Traditional Funeral Service followed by Cremation
With a traditional cremation, families elect to have a public viewing and funeral service prior to cremation. This option gives families the opportunity to keep services more traditional while also respecting the wishes of having cremation performed.
Memorial Service
For those who want something both simple yet dignified, families can have a memorial service held either at the funeral home or another venue. Usually this is preceded by an hour or two of visitation where friends and family can share memories and reflect. Instead of a casket, the family can choose to have the urn present. Some families even keep things traditional by processing to the cemetery with the urn for burial following the memorial service.
Immediate Cremation
This service is for those who want no services to be held. For this service the funeral home coordinates the cremation only and publishing of any death notices.
Private Family Viewing
When immediate cremation is chosen, some families still would like to spend some time with their loved one prior to the cremation. This is a less formal viewing where there is no embalming, cosmetics, or hairdressing. This includes 1 hour of time and up to 10 family members.
Other Considerations
When cremation has been selected, there are a few decisions that a family will need to make. One of those decisions is where the cremated remains will ultimately be placed. There are a few different options that are available to families.
Keeping an Urn at Home
Taking the cremated remains home allows family to keep their loved one close by in their own home. We always recommend families talk about where the cremated remains will be placed in the long term. Our funeral home offers a wide variety of keepsake items for families to chose from. d one.
Internment
Interring or entombing the cremated remains at a cemetery offers families a permanent place to go and pay their respects. The grave can be marked with a traditional headstone and memorialized in the same way as a traditional burial. Our funeral directors are happy to coordinate with the cemetery of your choosing to organize the interment.
Scattering
While there are no specific laws on scattering cremated remains on uncontrolled property, you will need to use caution when scattering your loved ones cremated remains. You must obtain permission from any owner of private property to scatter cremated remains. If you plan on scattering them in parks, waterways, or public lands, you will need to be issued a permit. Scattering or burying ashes in a cemetery without notifying the caretaker is illegal.
Please note that cremated remains are not the same consistency as ashes. The remains take on a more dense consistency and will not dissolve, meaning that they will be visible unless scattered over a great area.
