Is cremation cheaper than traditional earth burial?
Actually, the answer can either be yes or no. There are as many options available for
cremation as there are for traditional earth burial. So, it depends on what options you
choose. Simple or Direct Cremation is certainly less expensive.
Is embalming required for all deceased individuals?
No, embalming is only required when public viewing is going to take place, when the
remains are being shipped by common carrier to another location, and when you
select final arrangement options that would require embalming.
Are we required to purchase a casket for a Direct Cremation or a Direct Cremation with a Memorial Service?
No, you do not have to purchase a casket for either of these services. The Crematory,
however, does require that the remains be encased in a rigid combustible container for
the cremation process. This rigid container can be the Alternative Container provide by
the Crematory or Funeral Home, a casket made of combustible material, or a
rigid combustible container provided by the family.
Why do we all need to sign an authorization for cremation?
Cremation is an irreversible process. For that reason, the State of Washington requires
that we obtain written authorization from the appropriate people involved for the
cremation to take place. The line of succession for authority in Washington is the
spouse/registered domestic partner, all legal children age 18 and over, both parents,
and all brothers and sisters. The only exceptions would be if the deceased had pre-
signed their own authorization prior to their death, someone with a Durable Power of
Attorney signs prior to the death, or a court appointed Personal Representative.
What death benefits are paid by Social Security and the Veteran's Administration?
First of all, in order to be eligible for a $255.00 death benefit from Social Security,
there must be a surviving spouse and/or dependent children. This is a one-time lump
sum payment. We are required to notify Social Security of the death and we do this
at no charge to the family. With regards to the Veteran's Administration, we file the
necessary paperwork with them requesting a flag in remembrance of the veteran's
service and requesting that the family be reimbursed for the funeral and cemetery expenses. Typically, there are no reimbursement funds unless the deceased veteran passed away in a VA facility, died of a service connected disability, or was on activeduty at the time of death. All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are entitled to have their casketed or cremated remains placed in a VA Cemetery, a marker for the grave or niche, a service at the VA Cemetery, and a military honor guard when available.
What is a niche?
A niche is a single or companion space in a Colubarium wall for cremated remains.
Can cremated remains be scattered and if so where can they be scattered?
Once you have been cremated you are considered legally buried. In most cases,
cremated remains can be scattered wherever the family chooses to do so. We
suggest that you be discreet and selective about where you scatter. And, you
should always be respectful of others in the surrounding area.
Can you keep the cremated remains at the funeral home until we decide what we will
do with them?
We can only retain the cremated remains of your loved one for a limited amount of
time, usually one to two weeks.
If someone passes away at home, who do we call?
Unless the individual was under Hospice care, your first call is always going to be to
911. Emergency response personnel and the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office
will determine if the person is going to be transported to a medical facility or to the
Medical Examiner's Office for investigative purposes. If the individual is under Hospice
care, you should call your Hospice personnel. They will take care of the necessary
notifications.
How long after the death before the cremation takes place?
The time length varies depending on the obtainment of the necessary authorizations
and the signing of the death certificate. We cannot cremate until all proper
authorizations are obtained and we file the death certificate with the county where
the death occurs and receive our permit. Sometimes, this can take up to a week or
more but in most cases takes place within 3 to 5 days after the death.
COMMON DEFINITIONS
Alternative Container: An alternative container is an unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed wood, composition materials, corrugated cardboard or like materials.
Cash Advance Items: A cash advance item is any item of service or merchandise described to a purchaser as a cash advance, accommodation, cash disbursement, or similar term. A cash advance item is also any item obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral home on the purchaser's behalf. Cash advance items may include, but are
not limited to: cemetery or crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, obituary notices, filing fees, death certificates, and sales tax.
Casket: A casket is a rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, fiberwood, cardboard, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric.
Celebration of Life Service: A celebration of life service is a ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present.
Cremation: Cremation is a heating process which incinerates human remains.
Crematory: A crematory is any person, partnership or corporation that performs the actual cremation process.
Direct Cremation: A direct cremation is a final disposition choice whereby human remains are cremated, without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony.
Funeral Ceremony: A Funeral Ceremony is a service commemorating the deceased with the body present.
Funeral Goods: Funeral goods are the goods which are sold or offered for sale directly to the public for use in connection with funeral services.
Funeral Provider: A funeral provider is any person, partnership or corporation licensed by the State that sells or offers to sell funeral goods and services to the public.
Funeral Services: Funeral services are any services which may be used to: (1) care for and prepare deceased human bodies for burial, cremation or other final disposition; (2) arrange, supervise or conduct the funeral ceremony or the final disposition of deceased human bodies.
Green Cremation: A Green Cremation is a Direct Cremation where all natural or biodegradable materials are used. A cardboard tray, without staples, nails, or glue, is used as the alternative container. The cremated ashes are placed in a biodegradable/water soluble bag and then placed in either a cardboard box or biodegradable/water soluble urn.
Immediate Burial: An Immediate Burial is a disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present, except for a graveside service.
Memorial Service: A memorial service is a ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present.
Natural Burial: A natural burial is one where there is no embalming and the body is placed in a biodegradable casket or container for burial. The casket is then buried in a cemetery that allows natural burials.
Outer Burial Container: An outer burial container is any container which is designed for placement in the grave around a casket or urn including, but not limited to, containers commonly known as burial/urn vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners.
Services of Funeral Director and Staff: The services of funeral director and staff are the basic services, not to be included in prices of other categories that are furnished by a funeral provider in arranging any funeral, such as conducting the arrangements conference, planning the funeral, obtaining necessary permits, and placing obituary notices.
