Cremation Questions
Here are the answers to some common questions about cremation. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please call us toll free at 844-427-3672.
Cremation is the process of using intense heat to reduce a human body to bone fragments. This incineration, which happens in a cremation chamber, takes between two and three hours. The bone fragments are then processed further to produce what looks like coarse, grayish sand. The cremated remains (which most people call ashes) are then put into a temporary or permanent urn of your choice.
No, never. It is not only illegal but also impractical because the cremation chamber is large enough for just one body. Rest assured only one individual is cremated at a time, and the whole process is overseen by a certified crematory operator.
Items such as jewelry or clothing made from certain materials, including metal, glass, and some PVC and rubber cannot be cremated with a body. If you would like a personal item to be placed in the container next to your loved one, we can tell you what is permitted.
The gown that we use to cover your loved one is made from natural fiber, which disintegrates completely at such high temperatures. The same is true of the container. Items like artificial joints and dentures are separated afterwards from the cremated remains using visual inspection and a strong magnet and recycled.
You have many possibilities. You can ask us to scatter them at sea, or you and your family can scatter them on land. In Pennsylvania, there are no state laws controlling where you may scatter cremated remains but some communities do have restrictions. You may also keep the cremated remains at home, or have them buried in a cemetery or cremation garden. Some people like to have a rose bush to mark the burial site, while others prefer a headstone. Another option is to have the cremated remains placed in urn garden or columbarium niche. If you’d like our guidance on any of these options, please contact us.
Each state has its own laws regarding cremation. In addition, there are some federal laws. These laws cover aspects such as how quickly a cremation must take place and who can authorize a cremation. The website of NOLO has plenty of information about burial and cremation laws in Pennsylvania in an accessible format.
Operating policies and procedures at the crematory are rigorous to reduce the risk of human error. Additionally, a positive identification system is used throughout the entire cremation process and only certified personnel can operate the equipment. Cremated remains are always labeled to ensure they are easily identified.
No. The cremated remains will be returned in a corrugated cardboard container. We need to have an urn to scatter the cremated remain on your behalf or ship them you. The basic urn – what we call a utility urn – it provides rigid protection and is included in our Plus & Veterans package, but you can select another (permanent) urn if you wish.
No, that’s not necessary. All that the crematory requires is a rigid container (what we call an alternative container). This is cremated with the deceased.
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Cremation Specialist of Pennsylvania proudly provides Cremation Services to ALL OF PENNSYLVANIA
Some of the counties and towns we have served
LACKAWANNA COUNTY:
Scranton, Dunmore, Carbondale, Old Forge, Archbald, Taylor, Dickson City, Blakely, Clark Summit and Jessup PA
LUZERNE COUNTY:
Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Nanticoke, Pittston, Plymouth, Mountaintop, Kingston, Exeter, Duryea, Swoyersville, West Pittston, Edwardsville, West Hazleton, Larksville, Forty Fort, Plains, Dallas, Luzerne, Harveys Lake, West Wyoming and Ashley PA
COLUMBIA COUNTY:
Bloomsburg, Berwick, Ashland, Catawissa, Espy, Mifflinville, Almedia, Benton and Lightstreet PA
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY:
Pottsville, Tamaqua, Schuylkill Haven, Cressona, Shenandoah, Minersville, Orwigsburg, Frackville, St. Clair, McAdoo, Lake Wynonah, Ashland, Pine Grove, Port Carbon and Tremont PA
CARBON COUNTY:
Lehighton, Palmerton, Indian Mountain Lake, Jim Thorpe, Landsford, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill, Weatherly, Weissport East, Bowmanstown, Towamensing Trails, Tresckow, Beaver Meadows, Parrytville, Weissport, East Side, Albrightsville and Holiday Pocono PA
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
DuBois, Clearfield, Treasure Lake, Curwensville, Osceola Mills, Sandy, Hyde, Oklahoma, Falls Creek and Chestnut Hill PA
CENTRE COUNTY:
State College, Park Forest Village, Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Boalsburg, Pleasant Gap, Philipsburg, Lemont, Tofttrees, Zion, Houserville and Pine Grove Mills PA
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
Punxsutawney, Brookville, Reynoldsville, Brockway, Falls Creek, Summerville, Mayport, Sykesville, Corsica and Sigel PA
BLAIR COUNTY:
Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Tyrone, Bellwood, Roaring Springs, Greenwood, Martinsburg, Lakemont, Claysburg, Williamsburg, Ducansville and Tipton PA
CLINTON COUNTY:
Lock Haven, Mill Hall, Dunnstown, Flemington, Renovo, Avis, Castanea, Rauchtown, Beech Creek, South Renovo, Lamar and McElhattan PA
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
Harrisburg, Hershey, Colonial Park, Progress, Middletown, Linglestown, Steelton, Paxtonia, Hummelstown, Rutherford, Skyline View, Lawton, Penbrook, Millersburg, Highspire, Lykens, Paxtang and Elizabethville PA
BERKS COUNTY:
Reading, Wyomissing, Blandon, Shillington, Birdsboro, Kutztown, Whitfield, Hamburg, Lorane, Pennside, West Reading, Reiffton, Fleetwood, Boyerstown, Sinking Spring, Laureldale, West Wyoming, Amity Garden, Jacksonwald, Riverview Park, Mount Penn and Leesport PA
MONTOUR COUNTY:
Danville, Washingtonville, Mahoning, Valley Township, Cooper, Limestone, Derry, Liberty and Mayberry PA
LEBANON COUNTY:
LEHIGH COUNTY:
Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Ancient Oaks, Catasauqua, Wescosville, Fountain Hill, Dorneyville and Slatington PA
PIKE COUNTY:
Saw Creek, Hemlock Creek, Pocono Woodland Lake, Pine Ridge, Matamoras, Gold Key Lake, Sunrise, Birchwood Lakes, Conashaugh Lakes, Pocono Ranch Lakes, Milford and Pocona Mountain Lake Estate PA
WAYNE COUNTY:
Honesdale, The Hideout, Waymart, Wallenpaupack Lake Estate, Big Bass Lake, Hawley, Pocono Springs, Gouldsboro, White Mills and Prompton PA
MONROE COUNTY:
East Stroudsburg, Arlington Heights, Stroudsburg, Sierra View, Penn Estate, Indian Mountain Lake, Saw Creek, Mount Pocono, Emerald Lakes, Sun Valley, Effort, Brodheadsville, Pocono Pines, Mountainhome and Saylorsburg PA
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY:
Bethlehem, Easton, Bethlehem Township, Palmer Township, Forks Township, Hanover Township, Lower Saucon Township, Lehigh Township, Northampton, Moore Township, Bushkill Township, Wilson, Upper Mount Bethlehem Township, Upper Nazareth Township, Plainfield Township, Hellertown, Williams Township, Nazareth, Lower Nazareth Township, Bangor, Washington Township, West Allen Township, Allen Township and Palmer Heights PA
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