What is Required:
If the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, what’s required is called the Cremation Authorization Form. This is provided by the person who is legally identified or appointed as the next-of-kin. This can be signed in person or via DocuSign. Once the authorization documents and contracts are signed, the deceased can be transported from the funeral home to the crematory, and the cremation process can occur. However, there are some other things you may wish to consider, such as:
• Is there a particular set of clothing, such as a military uniform or favorite outfit that your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? If there are no dressing instructions or clothes provided by the family, the funeral home will dress the loved one in a hospital gown or they may be cremated in the clothing in which they came.
• Are there any keepsake items you'd like to include? Perhaps there's a special memento, such as a special photograph or handwritten letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards, notes, or letters to their loved one and place them in the casket before the cremation. A deck of cards, printed out lyrics from a favorite hymn, or a favorite hat are just some ideas.
• Would you or other family members like to be present for, or participate to some degree in your loved one's cremation process? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in the act of "letting go.", we also offer the opportunity to bring interested family or friends to the crematory itself. This is common in many cultures. Please discuss your desire to participate with your funeral director.
• What will you keep the cremated remains in after the cremation or the service? Many families are simply unaware that they can purchase an urn to be placed in a particular place, such as the family home. Cremated remains can also be divided so multiple family members can be close to their loved one. We offer a large selection of urns to help memorialize them. Ask one of our caring funeral directors to see the wide variety of urns and options. You may also view our online urn catalogs by clicking here.
Cremation Package Options:
Cremation only refers to the manner of the final disposition of the physical remains. We want you to know that this decision doesn’t limit the ways you can honor your loved one's life. We heartily suggest that you have a funeral or memorial service, because the needs of your family, friends and the community for such a healing experience is not lessened by the decision to have cremation. Whether it’s through a final viewing before the cremation or through a formal service either before or after the cremation. Again, the options are limited only by your imagination. We hope that you will contact us to discuss the wide variety of celebratory options available to you.
Traditional Cremation Services.
These are much like traditional funerals. Family and friends gather at the funeral home or Church to pay their respects. The body of the deceased, placed in a specially selected rental casket, is the focal point of the service. However, visitation can occur before the funeral service, and cremation would take place following the service. Once the cremation has occurred, the cremated remains are returned to your family. You can then decide to scatter, bury, or retain the cremated remains in an urn.
Memorial Service.
A memorial gathering or memorial service can occur at any time after the cremation process, but usually within a few weeks. The urn is often displayed at the service, usually next to a picture of the deceased. An obituary, flowers, food and beverages, special music, a picture slideshow, photo albums or personal items displayed are all still possibilities. Let us honor and celebrate their unique life.
Cremation With a Family ID.
After the person’s passing and within 24 to 36 hours, family and friends may choose to come into the funeral home to spend some time with their loved one, before the cremation takes place. Because this time is not open to the public, embalming is not required as long as the window of time is met. This gathering gives those that were closest to the deceased some all-important time to say goodbye to their loved one before the cremation.
Direct Cremation.
Direct cremation involves the completion of all required paperwork and the transportation of the deceased from the hospital, home, nursing facility, or coroner's office to the funeral home, and then to the crematory for cremation. There is no viewing by anyone at any time. Once the cremation takes place, the urn is returned to the family.
After The Cremation
After the cremation, there are a variety of choices for your loved one's final disposition or resting place. Your decision will depend on your religious beliefs and personal preferences, but here are some options to consider:
• Interment means that you'll bury or entomb your loved one's cremated remains. This can be in a family plot, a memorial site, an above ground cremation niche, an urn garden, or in a variety of other indoor and outdoor locations. Ask our staff for a detailed list of local interment possibilities. We can also help your family design a monument or marker. Robison Monument Company has created lasting tributes to hundreds of families all over Michigan. Click here to see just some of the monument we’ve created over the years.
• Graveside services are similar to those celebrated alongside a traditional ground burial, in which loved ones are present at the burial of the cremated remains and honor the deceased through memorial prayers, poems, stories, or other meaningful tributes.
• Scattering allows you to spread your loved one's cremated remains in a memorial garden, a cemetery, over water, or across any other meaningful site, with the proper permission. You can also choose to scatter some of the cremated remains and retain the rest in an urn for burial, or to have at home.
• Placing cremated remains in multiple urns, sometimes called keepsake urns, allows family members who are separated by distance to each feel the comfort of having their loved one's final resting place in a nearby location, or to have at home. View our online urn catalogs by clicking here.