The Cremation Process & Cremation FAQ

THE CREMATION PROCESS

Before cremation can take place, the state of Arizona requires a signed authorization from the next of kin, as well as a cremation permit signed by the County Medical Examiner, who has authority over all cremations.  Cremations must be authorized by the county medical examiner to ensure that any evidence of criminal activity is not destroyed.

The cremation provider should be made aware if the decedent has a pacemaker, prosthesis, or any other mechanical or radioactive devices or implants, as they must be removed prior to cremation as they may explode when subjected to high temperatures, which can be hazardous to crematory staff and equipment.  In addition, any special mementos, such as jewelry, will be destroyed during the cremation process. Anything you wish to keep should be removed before the casket or container is transferred to the crematory.

Cremation is performed to prepare the deceased for final disposition. It is carried out by placing the deceased into a casket or alternative container and then placing the body into a cremation chamber, where the body is subjected to intense heat and flame. Every person is cremated individually. After about two and a half hours, all substances are consumed or driven off except bone fragments, residue from the container the deceased was cremated in, and any metal or other non-combustible material. Following a cooling period, the cremated remains are then swept from the cremation chamber. The cremated remains are then mechanically processed into a powder-like form.  Most cremated remains are between 4-8 lbs. depending on the bone mass of the deceased.  The processed remains are then placed into an urn according to the wishes of the deceased’s family.  If an urn has not been selected, then the cremated remains are returned to the family in a black plastic temporary urn.  Cremated remains may be buried, placed in a niche, scattered (in accordance with local laws), or remain in the family’s possession in an urn (usually made from wood, marble, ceramic or metal container).

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CREMATION Q & A

The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cremation.

DOES ARIZONA HAVE SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER FOR A CREMATION TO TAKE PLACE?
Yes.  One, the legal next of kin must sign a cremation authorization.  The hierarchy on who can sign the cremation authorization is below.  Second, the medical examiner must give approval for each cremation that takes place along with the office of vital records.  This is something that the funeral home takes care of during the death certificate process.  Cremations must be authorized by the medical examiner to ensure that any evidence of criminal activity is not destroyed.  And third, the deceased must be cremated in a suitable cremation container (a combustible container such as cardboard).

WHO CAN AUTHORIZE CREMATION?

Cremation is a process that requires strict adherence to protocol and Arizona Statute and law (ARS 36-831).  In order for our Funeral Home to move forward with cremation, recognized authorization can only be provided in the following order of succession:

1. A representative (Attorney/Executor) in accordance with the decedents will
2.The decedent, with a legal, signed "Cremation Directive" presented in their name
3. Spouse of the decedent
4. Adult children of the decedent (with greater than 50% authorizing)
5. Parents of the decedent (both if living)
6. Adult siblings of the decedent (with greater than 50% authorizing)
7. Adult grandchildren of the decedent
8. A/The grandparents of the decedent
9. An adult who exhibited special care and concern for the decedent (15 day hold)
10. The Legal Guardian of the deceased at the time of death

IS A CASKET NEEDED FOR A CREMATION?

No, a casket is not required for cremation. All that is required by the state of Arizona is a combustible container; a container constructed of wood or cardboard for example, the combustible container is then cremated with the body.

IS EMBALMING REQUIRED PRIOR TO CREMATION?

No.  And please note that it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. If a family chooses to have a visitation with the body present, it may be necessary to have the body embalmed, allowing for the casket to be open. We allow immediate family members only to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation, if there is no embalming.  But if a family chooses a public viewing, our funeral home does have a policy that requires embalming.

CAN THE FAMILY WITNESS THE CREMATION?

Yes.  Our crematory allows family members to witness the initiation of the cremation process (families may only witness the initiation of the cremation, families are not allowed to stay at the crematory for the entire process).  There is an additional charge for this, and the crematory will need at least a 48 hour notice.

IS CREMATION ACCEPTED BY ALL RELIGIONS?

Today most religions allow cremation except for Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons that are contrary to Christian teachings.

WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE CREMATED REMAINS?

Cremated remains may be buried, entombed, placed in a niche, scattered over private land with permission of owner or over public property (may require permit), or remain in family’s possession, usually in an urn (wood, marble, or metal container).

 

HOW CAN I BE SURE I RECEIVE THE CORRECT REMAINS? 

Our professionally trained staff have developed a strict set of procedures in order to eliminate the potential for human error.  Positive identification of the deceased is assured throughout each stage of the cremation process.  Each human being that is cremated is given an identification number on a disk, that number stays with them throughout the entire cremation process. 

CAN YOU HAVE A FUNERAL SERVICE IF YOU CHOOSE CREMATION?

Yes.  Cremation is a separate event from the funeral or memorial service.  Cremation is simply a method of preparing human remains for final disposition.  One of the biggest misconceptions about cremation is that there can be no funeral if cremation is chosen.   It is a matter of family preference.  You can choose to have a visitation and funeral service prior to the cremation, have a memorial service with or without the urn present, or have a committal service for the disposition of the cremated remains.  There are many options available to celebrate a life lived. 

CAN A CASKET BE RENTED INSTEAD OF PURCHASED WHEN CHOOSING CREMATION?

Yes. We offer a beautiful oak casket for rental for viewing or funeral services prior to cremation. The rental casket is specifically designed to provide an affordable and practical alternative to purchasing a casket for a cremation service.

CAN I TRAVEL WITH CREMATED REMAINS ON AN AIRPLANE?

Yes.  If flying with cremated remains, be sure they are in a non-metal container to pass through the scanner.  If you are planning on flying with the cremated remains, just let our staff know and we will issue you a “transit permit.”  The airline will most likely NOT ask for this, but it is always a good document to have on hand.  Passengers are allowed to carry cremated remains in a cremation container as part of their carry-on luggage, as long as the container the cremated remains are in can pass through the X-ray machine.  If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image like metal, it will prevent the TSA from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container cannot be allowed through the security checkpoint.  TSA will not, under any circumstances, open a cremation container - even if the family requests that it be done.  And, documentation from the funeral home is not sufficient to carry a crematory container through security and onto a plane without screening.  Please make sure the container the cremated remains are in is plastic or cardboard.   

CAN YOU SHIP THE CREMATED REMAINS TO ME AND MY FAMILY? 

Yes.  Cremated remains may be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service.  (NOTE: UPS and FedEx will not handle the transport of cremated remains).  They must be packaged in a sealed, sift-proof container identifying the contents.

If you have any other questions regarding cremation, please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime @ 480-985-4900 or info@ssmortuaryaz.com.