FAQ
What is a cremation?
A cremation is a process that uses intense heat for a long period to turn the remains of the deceased person into ashes. Before the cremation process, your loved one is clothed following your requests, and other clothes and garments are carefully folded and placed next to your loved one. Medical devices such as pacemakers are separated and removed from the remains.
What is a cremation?
A cremation is a process that uses intense heat for a long period to turn the remains of the deceased person into ashes. Before the cremation process, your loved one is clothed following your requests, and other clothes and garments are carefully folded and placed next to your loved one. Medical devices such as pacemakers are separated and removed from the remains.
What is a crematorium?
A crematorium or crematory is the venue where the cremation process occurs. The deceased person is first placed in refrigerated storage until it is time for the cremation. Then, your loved one is placed in the cremation chamber, where the exposure to intense heat results in burnt remains. These remains go through a pulverization process and are finally delivered to you. There are different options for urns and containers.
What is called burnt remains?
Burnt remains are the result of the first part of the process of cremation. Exposure to intense heat is not enough to turn a deceased person into ashes. After medical devices and pieces of metal (e.g. hinges, screws and prostheses) are removed, the small amounts of bone remaining are taken and placed in a machine that turns them into ashes by the pulverization process.
Can I witness the cremation process?
A cremation viewing or witnessing is a small, intimate memorial service that takes place before the cremation process. The service can be led by a funeral director or a religious leader, and once the witnesses are in the area for viewing, the deceased one is placed in a casket or container and taken to the crematory chamber, in a closed machine. The cremation process takes over four hours and most crematoriums do not allow people to witness the entire process.
How long do steps before cremation take?
The steps before cremation take a minimum of 7 days to complete. The funeral director will help you get the required copies of the death certificate through the Vital Statistics office. After that, the medical examiner must sign and verify the certificate and the form is sent to the Vital Statistics office, where you will be provided copies of the death certificate. This being completed, a Cremation Permit and a Burial Transit Permit are issued and presented to the local Registrar’s office.
Which documents are required for cremation?
- The Authorization for Cremation Form
- The Death Certificate
- The Cremation Permit (signed by the physician)
- The Burial Transit Permit (presented to the local Registrar)
How do I get a Death Certificate?
The funeral director and medical professionals will complete the Death Certificate after all the important information is received from the family. The Death Certificate is filed in the local Registrar. In case you need to order more copies, you can go to the website of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Who can authorize the cremation?
- The deceased can authorize a cremation as means of disposal in a will.
- The surviving spouse of the deceased.
- The surviving adult children of the deceased.
- The surviving parents of the deceased.
- Surviving adult siblings.
- An adult individual on the next degree of kinship.
Who can authorize the cremation?
- The deceased can authorize a cremation as means of disposal in a will.
- The surviving spouse of the deceased.
- The surviving adult children of the deceased.
- The surviving parents of the deceased.
- Surviving adult siblings.
- An adult individual on the next degree of kinship.
Is embalming necessary?
Embalming is not required by law in the state of Texas, but if you choose to have a public viewing, your loved one must be embalmed to be preserved before the cremation.
Can I have a funeral ceremony before cremation?
You may have any type of funeral ceremony before cremation occurs. One of the options is to have a private or public viewing or have a memorial service in a place of worship or at the cremation facility.
Do I have to buy a casket?
A casket for cremation is not required by law. Funeral homes or crematories should inform you that you may use either a casket or an alternative container. Alternative containers can be made of different materials. Funeral homes have to accept caskets whether they are purchased there or from another source, or built by you.
What is the destination of the ashes?
The ashes of your loved one are presented to you in a container of choice. There are different options for a permanent resting place: a crypt, niche, grave or kept container at home. You may keep the ashes or scatter them over “uninhabited public land, over a public waterway or sea, or on the private property of a consenting owner.”
Where can I scatter the ashes in Texas?
According to Texas Health and Safety code, you may scatter ashes in different areas. You should note that you must remove the ashes from the container before scattering, unless you have a biodegradable container. In terms of health risk, cremation ashes are harmless, but you should scatter ashes away from other people.
- Scattering ashes at a cemetery: come cemeteries have designated gardens for scattering ashes, you can ask the cemetery for more information.
- Scattering ashes on private property: you can scatter ashes on your own property, yet you need to get permission from the landowner if you wish to scatter ashes on someone else’s property.
- Scattering ashes on public or federal land: you should check your city and county regulations before scattering your ashes on local public land.
- Scattering ashes at sea: you must notify the EPA within 30 days of scattering ashes at sea. Nonbiodegradable containers must be disposed separately. Remains must be scattered at least three nautical miles from land, away from the beach.
- Scattering ashes by air: Ashes should be removed from the container prior to scattering.
Why do people choose cremation?
There are many reasons why more and more people choose cremation over traditional funeral services. Cremation is known for being far cheaper than traditional burial services, costing one third of those prices. Besides, there are more options regarding the destination of the ashes, as you may choose to bury them, scatter them or keep them. Burying them is cheaper than burying a casket as one burial plot can be used for many urns. Some people may not have time to visit a cemetery or move away, and may choose to scatter ashes or keep them. Other people choose cremation due to environmental reasons.