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Understanding Cremation
 | | Dophin Urn and Keepsake |
Many families today are choosing cremation. All funeral homes advertise "cremation services", but don't be fooled! Practically all area funeral homes use common, multiple user, off-site industrial crematories to handle their cremations. Anderson-McQueen though owns and operates their own private, on-premise crematory ensuring you the highest standards of care, comfort and accountability. Being an actual crematory operator and serving more cremation families every year than the majority of all other area funeral homes, we know all there is to know about cremation, and would like to share that knowledge with you so you can be an informed consumer. Please attend one of our free monthly cremation seminars and Cremation Tribute Center guided tour. Or, with our "open door" policy, drop by anytime and we would be proud to give you a private tour of our operation. Following are answers to some of the more common cremation questions.
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone particles and ash through the application of direct flame and intense heat.
Can I have a service with cremation?
For those desiring cremation, you actually have more options and flexibility when it comes to service offerings. Everything is available from a traditional funeral ceremony followed by cremation and then burial to a memorial service after the cremation has occurred. Furthermore, since we are not restricted by the operating hours of the cemetery, you have the flexibility to schedule your ceremonies for day or night.
Is embalming required?
No. Florida law does require that the body be embalmed or held in refrigeration following 24 hours after death. We do require embalming if you elect to have a public ceremony with an open casket.
Is a casket necessary for cremation?
Florida law does require that the body be held in a rigid, leak-proof container for dignified storage, transfer and handling. Today, we have a variety of cremation containers and caskets that are very economical and manufactured specifically for cremation.
Can We Witness the Cremation?
Definitely. Our Cremation Tribute Center was built with a Witness Room so that the initiation of the cremation process could be witnessed whether for religious, peace of mind, or other reasons. Our Witness Room is even equipped with remote controls so that the family can start the cremation equipment if such participation is preferred for religious reasons.
Can I be cremated if I am Catholic?
Prohibited prior to the Second Vatican, the Catholic Church has permitted cremation as a means of disposition, though not the preferred method. Our St. Petersburg Diocese now permits the cremated remains to be taken to the church for the memorial mass. We would be glad to provide you with a copy of the Diocese's guidelines for cremation.
What are the legal requirements for cremation in Florida?
There are three basic legal requirements which must be met before a cremation can be performed in Florida. First, at least 48 hours must elapse between the time of death and the time of the cremation. Second, a legally authorized individual must give permission for the cremation in writing. Third, the District Medical Examiner must give approval for the cremation which requires a completed death certificate for their review.
What can be done with the cremated remains?
Your options are many. The cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, kept at home, scattered on private property or at least 3 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Our staff can assist you in exploring those options.
How long does the cremation process take?
It depends on the size of the individual and the type of cremation container or casket. Typically, the process takes 2 to 3 hours at a normal operating temperature of 1600 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens following the cremation process?
Following the actual cremation, all bone particles and other materials are retrieved from the cremation chamber by sweeping them into a stainless steel collection pan for cooling. Once cooled, all metal materials (metal casket parts, hip joints, & bridgework) are removed by both visual inspection and use of a strong magnet. The remaining bone particles and ash are then reduced into a small, consistent size and placed in the selected urn.
What do cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse beach sand. They are typically light gray in color. The cremated remains of an average size adult would weigh between 5 to 8 pounds and usually take up 200 cubic inches in volume or less. Except for some minuscule amounts of cremated remains which cannot practically be removed from the cremation chamber, all cremated remains are placed in the selected urn. If the amount of cremated remains cannot fit inside the selected urn, then any excess cremated remains would be returned in a temporary urn supplied by our crematory.
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