Answer
Jan 28, 2025 - 03:43 PM
After a death, several steps occur regardless of whether the final disposition is cremation or traditional burial. Here's an overview of the process leading up to cremation:
Initial StepsFollowing the death, a medical professional or coroner must release the deceased’s body. Once released, a transport team collects the individual from their home, hospital, or care facility and transports them to a funeral home.
Preparing for CremationIf a viewing or funeral service is planned before cremation, the deceased is typically embalmed. Embalming preserves the body for the service and, in some states, is legally required under specific circumstances. After embalming, the individual is dressed and prepared for the gathering.
If no viewing or funeral service is planned, the deceased is placed in an appropriate container for cremation. This is often a wooden casket or a cremation container made of fiberboard or wood, as metal or fiberglass caskets cannot go into the cremation chamber.
Legal and Administrative RequirementsAlthough cremation can technically occur shortly after death, it is subject to legal requirements that can take time to fulfill. The necessary paperwork includes:
- A death certificate or an authorization for final disposition indicating cremation as the method.
- A cremation authorization form, signed by the next of kin. This could be the spouse, children, siblings, or another legally designated individual. Some states also allow self-authorization during prearranged funeral planning.
Gathering and processing these documents may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on local laws and governmental authorities. The funeral home and crematory operator work closely to ensure all documentation is complete.
Final Checks Before CremationOnce the required paperwork is collected and verified, the crematory operator conducts a thorough review to ensure all details are correct. This includes:
- Confirming the deceased’s name, date of birth, and other identifying details on the paperwork match the ID band on the body.
- Ensuring any personal effects are accounted for, such as jewelry or other belongings.
- Collecting fingerprints if requested by the family, often for keepsakes like fingerprint jewelry.
The operator weighs the deceased to determine the best placement in the cremation schedule. Heavier individuals or those in containers made of denser materials are often cremated earlier in the schedule to manage the process efficiently.
Until the cremation takes place, the deceased is placed in a secure refrigeration unit to ensure proper care and preservation.
By following these steps, funeral homes and crematories ensure the process is handled respectfully, with attention to legal requirements and the family’s wishes.
