What is Cremation?

The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times, and it remains a popular choice of final disposition for a variety of personal, religious and environmental reasons.

Cremation offers great flexibility with regard to planning a service. There are many options for handcrafting a service for family members who are coming from a distance, when financial considerations are a concern, and when there is a desire for scattering cremated remains at a special location. There are also many options with regard to personal or specialized cremation urns and memorial or cremation jewelry.

The cremation process requires a casket or an alternative cremation container for use in the cremation chamber. Cremated remains are then placed in an urn chosen by your family and made available for you to keep, have placed in a niche or columbarium, scatter or bury.

Signing for Cremation Authorization

You may sign a pre-authorization for your own cremation in an advanced planning scenario. We would be glad to provide you with the necessary forms.

At the time of need, only the direct next of kin may sign for cremation of the deceased. The flow of those authorized to sign for another’s cremation is as follows:

(Please note: A person designated as a “Power of Attorney” is not authorized to sign for cremation of another. Power of Attorney is null and void upon death.)

  • Spouse

    The legal spouse of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death.

  • Surviving Children

    The decedent’s surviving adult children (all).

  • Parents

    The decedent’s surviving parents (both).

  • Siblings

    The decedent’s surviving brothers and/or sisters (all).

  • Agent

    The person designated as agent for this purpose by the decedent in a will or other verified and attested document. Please note: in a will, the decedent must specifically authorize cremation.