Your guide to cremation services

When someone dies, there are some important decisions to make. One of them is what happens to your loved one after their funeral. 

As we grow older, we might start to think about what happens to us after we’re gone – whether we’d like to be buried or cremated. We help people pre-plan their funerals every day. However, we don’t all get the chance to pass on our wishes before we go.

If someone close to you has passed and you’re not sure what to do, we can help you decide what’s best. 

A brief explanation of cremation

Cremation is the process of burning a body until only a fine ash remains. The process involves placing the coffin or casket into a special furnace to produce ashes for the family to take home, often in an urn. 

Today, it’s a common alternative to burial with more than 70% of Australians choosing to be cremated. Cremation usually occurs after a funeral service but can also be done prior. 

The cremation process

Cremation is a relatively fast, straightforward process. It can also be a far more affordable option for families than most burial options. The process generally follows these steps:

  • After the funeral, the body is transferred to a nearby cremation facility 
  • Paperwork will be completed and multiple checks will be carried out before cremation
  • The coffin or casket is placed onto a cremation trolley 
  • The name plate from the coffin is removed and safely placed into a slot outside the cremator (this stays with the body the entire time)
  • The coffin is placed into the cremator
  • The process then takes upwards of 90 minutes at 1,000 degrees Celsius
  • Afterwards, the remains are collected and refined into a powder (the ashes)
  • The ashes are then transferred into a container with the name plate attached. They are returned to the family who may choose to inter the ashes in a memorial park or scatter them.

What happens after cremation?

Once your loved one has been cremated, there are a few things you can do with their ashes. These are the most common choices the families we serve choose. 

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