The Cremation Funeral Service: Yay Or Nay?
There are many funeral homes that offer various services for the deceased, allowing for different belief systems to practice their own funeral rites. One such funeral service that is rarely requested or accepted is the cremation funeral service. Some funeral homes will ask you if you want this service when you select cremation for the deceased. Others do not ask and you have to request it. Either way, a description of this practice follows, so that you can choose yay or nay in the event that you are asked.
Chairs Are Set out in the Crematorium Room
Typically, only the closest family members are allowed in the crematorium room. The funeral director will ask how many close family members will be in attendance so that the same number of chairs can be set up in the crematorium room. Most of the time, only the spouse of the deceased and maybe the adult children are present, but extended family such s aunts, uncles, and grandparents may be allowed. Everyone sits in front of the crematory oven.
A Funeral Service Is Said over the Deceased
Once everyone is seated and ready, a brief funeral service is said over the deceased. Usually, it is about ten to twenty minutes long, but since a longer service will be said the following day for friends and other extended family members, it is kept to the shorter end. Eulogies and sentiments are saved for the longer service the next day.
The Body and the Coffin Are Rolled into the Crematory Oven
At this point, last sentiments are allowed, since no body may be viewed after the body is cremated. Then the body is rolled into the crematory oven. The door is shut and locked, and the body and coffin are now in the process of being cremated (the oven is already on and heating up during the short funeral service that precedes this).
During the Cremation Wait
Since it takes a body one to three hours to become cremains, you and the rest of your family are free to go. The post cremation process involves smashing the remaining bones into powder, for which you do not have to be present. You may return with your chosen urn to collect the cremains of the deceased about four or five hours after the coffin was rolled into the crematory oven. If the funeral home is closed at that time, you may return the next day, prior to the larger funeral service, to have the ashes of the deceased placed within the urn.
To learn more about cremation funerals services, contact a funeral company like Fletcher Funeral Home PA.