Other matters of interest

Other matters of interest : Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation

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From our many years of experience dealing with bereaved families and cremation, we have compiled the following frequently asked questions regarding cremation:

May members of all religious groups be cremated?
No. Although all Christian denominations permit cremation, it is forbidden for Moslems and Orthodox Jews.

But I thought cremation was forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church?
The Roman Catholic Church has permitted cremation since 1965, provided the motive for requesting it is not anti doctrinal.

Must there be a religious ceremony with cremation?
No. You may choose a secular ceremony, should you so desire. However, should you wish to have a religious ceremony, but do not have a specific clergy person, Oakleigh can arrange for one to conduct the service.

Must I have the funeral service at the crematorium?
No. Some prefer to have the whole funeral service conducted either at their local church, at the Funeral Home's Chapel, or at some other place of their choice. Some request that a portion of the service be held at their local church, with a short committal service in the crematorium chapel, or that the whole service be conducted in the crematorium chapel.

Is there any provision for the use of music at a crematorium?
Yes. Most crematoria provide an organ. However, with so many different denominations using a crematorium, it is impossible to supply hymn books for each church. Oakleigh will be able to provide printed hymn sheets by prior arrangement.

Is the use of a crematorium facility restricted to certain groups?
No. Crematoria are open to all who wish to use them. However, where incense is likely to be used, most crematorium authorities prefer the service to take place at the end of the day.

How is cremation arranged?
As there are a number of legal formalities with which one must comply, it is wisest to let Oakleigh arrange for the completion of the statutory forms for cremation. If you are the executor or the next of kin, or are authorised by either to do so, you will be required to sign the statutory Application for Cremation before a Commissioner of Oaths. Oakleigh will help you with this.

Do I sign anything else at this stage?
Apart from the agreement with Oakleigh which you should sign confirming your wishes for the funeral service, you will be asked how you wish to dispose of the ashes. If you are undecided, Oakleigh will arrange storage for the ashes for up to two months, giving you time to make a decision.

Who gives permission for a cremation to take place?
Permission may only be given by a Medical referee appointed by the crematorium authority. No cremation may take place without his authority. Before giving his authority, the Medical referee must satisfy himself that the deceased has been identified; that the primary cause of death has been established beyond doubt; and that cremation is not contrary to the written wishes of the deceased. He normally relies on the Application for Cremation, together with a Medical Declaration from the doctor who attended the deceased in the final illness, as well as a Confirmatory Medical Declaration from a second doctor, who confirms the findings of the first doctor relating to the cause of death.

Should the Medical Referee decline to authorise cremation, a private autopsy will be necessary if you still desire cremation. This can be performed by a qualified pathologist at our premises, and Oakleigh can arrange this for you. We cannot overemphasize that it is in the interests of all concerned that the legal formalities be completed prior to the funeral taking place, whether it be at the crematorium or not.

Is it true that a pacemaker or other radio-active implant must be removed before cremation?
Yes. These implants can explode at high temperatures, not only causing damage to the cremators, but also placing crematorium staff at risk.

What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?
The coffin may be placed on the catafalque before the mourners enter, or it may be carried into the chapel followed by the mourners in procession. At the moment of committal, the coffin may be obscured from view by means of curtains closing around it, it may be withdrawn through a gateway, it may be lowered into the committal room, or it may be left on the catafalque until the mourners have left the chapel. The method varies at each crematorium and your funeral director will be able to give you advice concerning local customs.

What happens to the coffin after committal?
It is withdrawn into the committal room, where the nameplate is checked with the Authority to Cremate document to ensure the correct identity.

Can relatives witness the committal of the coffin to the cremator?
Yes. With some religious groups it is a religious requirement that this be done, but in other cases the superintendent of the crematorium would normally give permission.

Does the cremation take place immediately?
Not always. Most crematoria will endeavour to cremate on the same day, but, depending upon local conditions, this may be delayed until the following day. Some crematoria have refrigerated storage; others require the funeral director to retain the coffin.

Is the coffin cremated with the deceased?
Yes. The coffin, as received, is always cremated.

Must a coffin always be used for cremation?
Every crematorium requires some form of outer shell, in the interests of the family, for reasons of hygiene and because of the design of modern cremators. The outer shell would have to be opaque and completely enclose the body, be strong enough to bear the weight of the deceased without collapsing and be of combustible material.

Is more than one coffin cremated at one time in a cremator?
No. By special arrangement, a parent and a child could be cremated together, but the design of modern cremators does not allow for two adults to be cremated together.

How long does the cremation process normally last?
Approximately 90 minutes.

What happens with precious and other metals?
The temperature at which a modern cremator operates (between 800° C and 1000°C) is such that metals are fused with other material so that they are not recognizable. Any metallic material residue from a cremation is normally disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the relevant crematorium authority. It is therefore strongly recommended that any items of jewellery should be removed by the family immediately after death and prior to cremation.

How do I know I will get the right ashes?
As each cremator will only accept one adult coffin, and the ashes must be withdrawn before the cremator is used again, all ashes are kept separate throughout the process. All crematoria have some means of uniquely identifying ashes and families can rest assured that the correct ashes are ultimately handed over.

What happens to the ashes after they are removed from the cremator?
When the cremation is completed, the ashes are withdrawn from the cremator onto a cooling tray. When cool, any ferrous material is removed by means of a magnetic field, and the remaining ashes are then placed into a machine which reduces them to a granular form, consisting of bone ash, and weighing approximately 2 kg. The quantity of ashes depends on the size and age of the deceased and, in the case of babies and very young children, there may be minimal ashes recovered.

What options do I have with ashes?
Although some religious bodies prefer that the ashes be interred in consecrated ground, the final choice is normally that of the family. Ashes may be scattered or buried at most local Crematoria or within your church grounds, or at some other place of your choice e.g. on a mountain, at sea, in a garden, under a rose bush, etc. Most crematoria provide some means of memorialisation, such as niches into which a permanent urn containing ashes can be placed and sealed with a suitably inscribed plaque. Some churches also provide this facility. Some crematoria also offer miniature graves for the permanent retention of ashes. Some families opt to bury ashes in an existing family grave, or you may wish to have the ashes placed in a memorial urn which you could keep at home. Oakleigh will assist you to carry out your wishes.

What happens to ashes strewn on the ground?
As the highest biochemical activity exists at the surface of the soil and the ashes are in a small granular form, weather and biochemical action quickly break them down to form part of the earth and, within a short time, there is no visible trace of them.

If I elect not to retain the ashes, but would still like to commemorate a loved one with a memorial, what other options are available?
Most crematoria offer the facility of an entry in a Book of Remembrance which is usually displayed in a special memorial chapel. Each day the entries for that day are displayed so that a person is remembered on the anniversary date chosen by the family. Some funeral directors also offer this facility. Some crematoria allow wall plaques or plaques on kerbstones, which may be in perpetuity, or for a limited period requiring periodical renewal. At some crematoria it is also possible to dedicate a rose bush or other garden item with a small plaque. Most crematoria accept donations of such items as seeds, benches, stained glass windows, etc. where a memorial inscription is permitted. Oakleigh will advise you of local facilities available.

Is it possible to send ashes to other parts of the country or overseas?
Yes. Oakleigh will arrange this for you. The container, however, must be sturdy enough for this option.

Is cremation more expensive than burial?
No. Although the funeral director's charges are much the same for both services, the additional cost of a grave and the opening and closing fee is generally much higher than that charged for cremation. In addition, with burial, there are the ongoing costs of grave maintenance and grave memorialisation.

Is cremation not an aid to the concealing of a crime by eliminating evidence?
No. The primary cause of death must be ascertained before permission is given by the Medical referee to cremate.

How can I ensure that I am cremated when I die?
Leave specific instructions to that effect in your Will, and advise your next of kin, thus sparing your family further distress.

If I want to know more about cremation and possibly inspect a crematorium, how should I go about it?
Telephone or visit your local crematorium and discuss the matter with the superintendent, who will be pleased to answer your queries and conduct you through the crematorium to see how it is operated. Some crematoria hold regular "open days" where the general public is invited to see the facilities. Many crematoria actively encourage churches and other groups to visit the crematorium. Oakleigh will arrange a visit for you if you prefer.