1) An open casket visitation CAN take place prior to cremation just as with burial.

2) Embalming IS an option even with cremation.

3) If a casket is purchased for cremation, the entire casket is cremated with the body. If a family wishes to have cremation follow the visitation and/or service but do not feel comfortable cremating the casket, we have 2 rental options available. Our rental casket system consists of a specially designed casket shell that houses a cremation container. The exterior looks like a regular casket but has an insert that is removed and cremated with the body. A new insert is placed in the shell after each use. The pillow and cloth interior are attached to this insert and are replaced after each use. The caskets that are available to be rented are clearly identified to families and a Rental Casket Agreement is signed by the family to ensure they fully understand the concept of a "rental casket. The rental casket option is not available for burial.

4) Cremation is not always less costly than burial. A small minority of families who select cremation will choose not to have visitation or a service. In this situation cremation would be less than burial. Cremation however, can be more costly than burial depending on how the family wishes to deal with the cremated remains.

5) Environmental concerns can often influence a family to select cremation rather than burial. There are rising concerns that the cremation process may be releasing high levels of pollutants into the environment. Although we have not seen any conclusive reports, the concern stems from the types of containers that are cremated. Pressboard, particle board or MDF constructed containers/caskets contain resins that may be harmful to the environment when burned. It is not uncommon for families selecting cremation to choose a more entry level casket. It is also common that these caskets are less money because they are manufactured from a combination of solid wood and solid wood alternatives (such as pressboard). Fortunately we are able to offer products that are less harmful to the environment when cremated. There have been discussions of monitoring the emissions from crematoriums. Should these studies produce evidence that cremation emissions are exceeding safe levels, future regulations may require crematoriums to add devices to reduce pollutants released to the environment. These devices can be very expensive and potentially could affect the price of cremation in the future. It is a subject that we do not yet have any concrete answers for but will be of great interest over the years to come.

1) One or two days of open or closed casket visitation and the service to follow on the next day.

2) Open or closed casket visitation on the same day as the service.

3) Funeral service absent of the casket or body. Family may select to have the urn present for the service if they wish.

4) A gathering absent of the casket or body with no formal service. An informal gathering allows people to visit during a set period of time. Urn can be present for gathering if family wishes.

5) A service held only at the graveside on the day of the burial of ashes.

6) A service in the funeral home or church with the urn present, followed by a procession of vehicles to the final resting place of the cremated remains.

1) One of the most frequently asked questions that we are asked is "Can ashes be scattered?". We are not in a position to give legal advice on this topic. We are not aware of any law in Ontario that makes scattering of ashes illegal. What we do suggest is that families carefully consider ALL their options before commencing with scattering. Remember, once the ashes are scattered it is FINAL. Your decision can not be reversed. Other important factors to consider before scattering is the location and method of which this will take place.

Water
Water is a popular destination, however this should be carefully thought out. Scattering from the shore or a boat can become a problem if the wake is too strong. Parts of the cremated remains will float in the direction of the current. Avoid containers that will float or remain in tact for years to come. Consider that a swimmer or diver could locate ashes protected by a container. Urns are available from the funeral home made of materials that are designed to float for a short duration before settling to the bottom and naturally breaking down to the elements.

Land
Places like the family cottage can be a tranquil resting place for ashes. It is important to keep in mind that the location that you scatter the ashes becomes a spot that will be remembered for years to come; sort of like a private cemetery. Do you want a "cemetery" in an area that you frequently relate to recreational fun or that special place of peacefulness and solitude? Before scattering on your property consider the fact that this land may not always belong to your family. As unlikely as it may seem at the time, one day your favorite family destination could be a commercial or residential development.

Public land, such as parks, are not suggested as an ideal location but are still selected by some families. This requires extra consideration and discretion; the last thing you would want to do is offend someone who might just happen to walk by during your "ceremony". If you must scatter on public property, select a time of day when less traveled and a location out of public view that will allow for the ashes to go unnoticed until they are able to disperse back to the elements.

2) Cemeteries are adapting to the increase in cremation. Many cemeteries are now offering columbarium niches (or niche walls) which are the structures that have either glass or stone fronts. The family purchase the rights to use one compartment which is normally capable of holding two containers or urns.

Ashes can also be buried in full size burial plots. Depending on the cemetery, they may allow as many as 4 to six containers of cremated remains in one single grave. People that own family plots that do not have room for full casket burials may still be allowed by the cemetery to bury ashes on top. Each cemetery will vary and they should be contacted for their rules and regulations. Permission will also be required by the legal owner of the plot before proceeding.

Select cemeteries have available cremation plots. The size of the plot is much smaller than a full size grave but normally have room for the burial of 2 urns.

On occasion, families have inquired about placing the cremated remains of one person into a casket with someone else.

Example: The husband died and was cremated according to his wishes. The ashes were kept at home by the family until the death of his wife. Her wishes were to be buried in a casket and not cremated. The family has requested that the ashes be placed in the casket so that they could be buried together.

This request can be accommodated providing the cemetery gives approval. We will always notify the cemetery of such a request. We respect the cemetery's rules and regulations and the importance that these arrangements be properly documented by the cemetery for historical reasons.

For families that want a dignified, but inexpensive method of dealing with the remains, some cemeteries offer "common ground burial". For a minimal fee, the cemetery accepts the ashes and buries or stores them in a section that is unmarked. Although the family would not know where they are located and are unable to place a monument, they can find comfort in knowing that the remains have been taken care of in a dignified manner. If the family changes their mind in the future, it may be possible to have the ashes retrieved for an additional fee. If you are considering common ground burial and feel that you may want the ashes back at a later date, check with the cemetery as to their retrieval policy.