Before a cremation, a ceremony, or viewing may be held. There are authorization forms and permits that your cremation provider will fill out and obtain appropriate signatures. The cremation provider will ask a number of important questions in preparation for the cremation, such as whether the deceased has a pacemaker, prosthesis, or other mechanical device or implant, that may have to be removed prior to cremation.

Most crematories require the body to be cremated in a combustible, container or casket. In NJ 24 hours from the time of death before the human remains may be cremated. All cremations are performed individually. The cremation process begins when the container or casket is placed in the cremation chamber. The intense heat and flames of the cremation chamber reach temperatures as high as 1800 degrees fahrenheit. During the cremation process, a technician may open the chamber and reposition the deceased in order to facilitiate a complete and thorough cremation.

The time for cremation to be completed varies with the size and weight of the remains, and usually takes 2 to 3 hours. Following a cooling period, the cremated remains are removed from the cremation chamber and placed in a temporary or permanent container (urn). You can decide on a final resting place for the cremated remains; there are many available options:

Placement of the urn containing the cremated remains in an indoor or outdoor mausoleum or columbarium; interment of the urn containing the cremated remains in a family burial plot or in a special urn garden that many cemeteries provide for cremated remains; scattering of the cremated remains in a cemetery garden especially created and dedicated for this purpose; scattering the remains at sea or on land in accordance with state/provincial or local laws; the urn may, of course, also be taken to the home of a loved one, but plans should be made for an eventual permanent resting place.

If scattering is done, you may wish to choose a site for a permanent memorial, such as placing the name of the deceased in a Book of Remembrance or on a plaque for a special location, or planting a tree in remembrance. Any of these will provide a place of pilgrimage for those who want to remember and celebrate the life of the loved one.