The Cremation Process

Cremation Information

What is Cremation?

Part of making funeral arrangements on behalf of a loved one involves choosing between burial of the body or cremation. Certainly, this is a big decision based on many factors: religious or spiritual beliefs, finances, or ecological awareness are just some of the reasons we've heard for choosing cremation. However, before making a choice, you need to know exactly what it is you're considering. You can learn the basics below. However, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call. One of our cremation specialists will address any of your inquiries or concerns.

More About Cremation and Cremation History

According to Wikipedia, cremation dates back at least 20,000 years ago in Australia, while in Europe, there is evidence of cremation dating to around 2,000 B.C. Cremation was common in Ancient Greece and Rome, and it remains a standard practice in India. The practice of cremation faded in Europe by the fifth century and during the Middle Ages, it was primarily used in the punishment of heretics or in response to the fear of contagious diseases. Today, cremation is preferred by more and more people around the world.

Traditionally the cremation process reduces a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call cremated remains. Then, returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these cremated remains can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.

In How Cremation Works, Author Michelle Kim details the cremation process: "In modern crematories, the body is stored in a cool, temperature-controlled room until it's approved for cremation. Next, the body is prepared by removing pacemakers, prostheses, and silicone implants. The body is then put into a container or casket made out of flammable materials such as plywood, pine or cardboard."

The container is placed in the retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to three hours to reduce an average adult to cremated remains. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.

Learn More About Your Options

At Nie Family Funeral Home, we want our families to feel as knowledgeable as possible when they come to us. Because of this, we strive to provide updated information on our resource pages. Follow the buttons below to learn more about your options when it comes to cremation arrangements.

Memorial Services

Cremation FAQ

What is Required to Arrange for Cremation?

Once the cremation-over-burial decision has been made, all that's required is an authorization. This is provided by the person who is the legally identified or appointed next-of-kin. Once all authorization documents are signed, and service charges are paid, the body can be transported from the place of death 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 clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate the thought of wearing? This will focus on the cremation arrangement conversation, and your funeral director will advise you on your best options regarding jewelry or other valuable personal items.
Are there any keepsake items you'd like to include in their cremation casket? Perhaps there's a special memento, such as a treasured photograph or letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards, notes, or letters to their deceased loved one and place them in the casket before the cremation.
Would you or other family members like to be present for–or participate to some degree in–your loved one's cremation? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in the act of "letting go." We also welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into the crematory. 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 a cremation urn to be placed in a particular place, such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns to help memorialize your loved one. Ask one of our caring funeral directors to see the wide variety of urns.

Why Choose Cremation?

Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing cremation over traditional casketed burial.

Cremation Costs are Only One Reason

Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons "is the softening of the Catholic church's views of the practice. For centuries—until 1963, in fact—the church outlawed it. The church's laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past."

He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. "As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one's remains."

Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration of life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.

One thing you can also be assured about cremation is that the professionals address all environmental impacts before moving forward with the process. For example, Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the groundwater, but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.

Cremation Package Options

We are caring cremation experts who promise each family we serve the highest level of:

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Courteous, professional service.

Our dedicated staff will take care of all details, including prompt filing of required permits and notifications. Accurate completion of these essential documents ensures their acceptance by local or state agencies; it also guarantees your loved one's cremation will not be delayed.

Safekeeping and prompt return of cremated remains.

We know it's essential for the families we serve to know their loved ones will be coming home as soon as possible. That's why we promise to notify you as soon as their cremated remains become available and safeguard their urn until you are ready to receive them.

Respectful care of the deceased and timely completion of cremation process.

Certified crematory operators will attend to your loved one, who has been trained to provide compassionate care for the deceased and conscientious attention to detail throughout the cremation process.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased.

There are many advantages to taking time to remember the life lived, share stories and laugh about all the memories. Our team can help you plan a fitting memorial service with or without the cremation urn present, at our facility or in a place of your choosing.

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We offer three cremation options; each can be modified to meet your needs:

Traditional cremation services.

These are much like traditional funerals. The body of the deceased, placed in a specially-selected cremation casket or a rental casket, is the focal point of the service. However, visitation can occur before the funeral service, and the cycle is completed with the cremation rather than a traditional burial. 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 gathering after the cremation has taken place.

A memorial gathering can occur at any time after the cremation process. However, the urn is usually displayed at the service, which can take place in any setting preferred by the family.

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 crematory.

Why You Should Think of Us as Your Trusted Washtenaw County Cremation Service Provider

We've had years of experience serving many families, so we understand and respect your decisions. Not only that, we will take all the time you may need to make an informed decision. So simply call, email, or stop by one of our funeral facilities in Washtenaw County, MI, to discuss the cremation services we offer and explore our cremation costs.