Cremation

Cremation Services

With cremation services, we at Curtin Funeral Home, Inc. believe you should be able to choose the type of service that you find most meaningful. That's why our list of services includes many options.

Contrary to what most people believe, cremation does not limit one's choices, nor does the choice of cremation necessarily eliminate a funeral service. A funeral service followed by cremation need be no different than a funeral service followed by ground burial. Following the funeral service and cremation, the cremated remains are usually placed in an urn before being committed to a final resting place. The cremation urn may be interred in an existing family burial plot if allowed by your cemetery, interred in a special cremation section at a cemetery, or placed in an indoor or outdoor cemetery columbarium.

Scattering cremated remains may be done at a designated place on land or water in accordance with local laws. Scattering cremated remains on someone's private property requires their permission. It is not recommended to scatter on your personal property (should your home be sold) or on public property where others may come into contact with the cremated remains. For many people, it is important to have a permanent place to go to visit. This allows family and friends the ability to remember and celebrate a life that has been lived and touched others.

Can there be funeral services or ceremonies if cremation is chosen?

Cremation does not limit the options available. The options for ceremonies prior to or following the cremation can include the selection of a casket and/or an urn, visitation with the deceased present (or memorial visitation where the urn is the focal point), a display of photographs or personal effects and awards and the location of the funeral ceremony.

Direct (Immediate) Cremation

WHAT IS DIRECT CREMATION?

Many of our families have questions about cremation and specifically, about direct cremation and how it differs from a “traditional” type of funeral service that is followed by creation.

A direct cremation is the least expensive disposition service offered by a funeral home or cremation service. Direct cremation is offered by licensed funeral/cremation providers to serve the needs of individuals who desire the most simple, dignified and economical means of disposing of a dead human being.

Embalming is not required for a direct cremation so it is not preformed. Instead of a casket the remains are usually placed in a simple, rigid Fiberboard/Pressboard alternative container.

There is no service with the body present when a direct cremation is selected. Any service you arrange post-cremation is called a “memorial service” and we can help you plan one if you desire.

Direct Cremation does Not include a public visitation period or a “wake.”

When you authorize us to perform a Direct Cremation, it involves the following services and merchandise from our funeral home:

Transfer of the decedent from the local place of death.

Basic services of the funeral director an staff including: 24 hour availability, the arrangement conference, securing the original death certificate, obtaining cremation clearance, filing the original death certificate and obtaining certified copies of the death certificate on your behalf, preparing and filing all necessary documents with other parties, sheltering the remains until the transfer to the crematory.

Fiberboard/pressboard alternative container (a casket is not required by law for a direct cremation service.)

Transportation of the decedent to the crematory.

Return of the cremated remains to our funeral establishment or to you in a temporary container.

Cash Advances must be added to the above. Cash Advances are third-party expenses incurred on your behalf. Funeral homes may not profit on cash advances items and their amount does not differ between funeral homes.

Cash advance expenses you will incur when arranging a direct cremation are:
     Crematory fee (for the actual cremation process)
     Death Certificates (certified copies- $10 per copy in most of NY State)
     Death Notices in newspapers (optional)
     Cemetery costs if Cremains are to be buried or entombed.

Cremation - Frequently Asked Questions

1/4/09