Understanding
Cremation

Lowell-Tims Funeral Homes operates the only
Licensed crematory in Jackson County.  Other funeral
Homes in our area subcontract this delicate procedure
to a big corporate funeral home out of town.  Following
are answers to some of the most commonly asked
questions about cremation.



What Is Cremation?  


To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation isn't.
Cremation is not final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral
service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to bone
fragments using high heat and flame.


Don't Most Funeral Homes Have A Crematory?

No funeral homes In Jackson County except Lowell-Tims  has a
crematory. Other funeral Homes subcontract this delicate
procedure out to a third party provider in another town where the
funeral home has little or no control over the crematories operating
procedures. Often, the family incurs additional transportation
expenses and needless delay. By contrast, we own our cremation
equipment which is operated by our fully licensed and highly trained
staff. Our cremation equipment is state-of-the-art and equals or
exceeds every state and local operating standard and requirement.
Our crematory is open for inspection any time during normal
business hours.


What Services Are Available With Cremation?

Any traditional funeral service with the body present can precede the
cremation. Alternatively, a memorial service can take place after the
cremation has been completed.

Is A Casket Needed For Cremation?

No, a casket is not required for cremation. We provide an alternative
container which encompasses  the body.  You may choose a casket if you
wish to have a public service with the body present prior to cremation. For
those occasions we offer a selection of in-expensive cremation caskets as
well as rental caskets.

Is Embalming Required Prior To Cremation?

Absolutely not and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you
otherwise. The only time embalming is legally required is if the family
chooses a public service with an open casket prior to cremation.

Can The Body Be Viewed Without Embalming?

Yes, immediate family members may briefly view the deceased prior to
cremation in our private viewing room. The deceased is first washed,
dressed and prepared for viewing. Alternatively, the deceased may be
viewed in our crematory without any preparation. As long as the viewing is
concluded prior to the 24 hour state-mandated waiting period, no additional
refrigeration charges would be incurred.

Can The Family Witness The Cremation?

Yes. Our state-of-the-art cremation facility is set up to allow family members
to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. In fact,
some religious groups include this as part of their funeral custom.

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 which are
contrary to Christian teachings. Some people believe that cremation is
against the teachings of the Bible, but according to one famous Biblical
scholar, "what occurs to the body after death has no bearing on the soul's
resurrection. The body that rises is not made of the same substances as
the one that was buried, or cremated, but is immortal and incorruptible."

Can An Urn Be Brought Into Church?

Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the
memorial service.  In fact, if the family is planning on a memorial service, we
encourage the cremated remains be present as it provides a focal point for
the service.

What Can Be Done With The Cremated Remains?

There are many options. Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or
cremation garden, inurned in a column barium, or cremation monument,
kept at home, or scattered on private property. Our staff will be happy to
discuss these options with you and make any arrangements.


Do People Choose Cremation Only To Save Money?

While some people select cremation for economy, many choose this option
for other reasons. The simplicity and dignity of cremation, environmental
concerns, and the flexibility cremation affords in ceremony planning and
final disposition all add to its increasing popularity.


How Can I Be Sure I Receive The Correct Remains?


We have developed the most rigorous set of operating policies and
procedures in order to maximize our level of service and minimize the
potential for human error. Positive identification of the deceased is assured
throughout each stage of the cremation process using our ten-step
identification, control and security system. All activities outside the
cremation chamber are monitored 24-hours a day. We only allow authorized
professionals to operate our cremation equipment. None of these
safeguards are required by law and no other cremation facility in the state
can match our rigid operating procedures.

How Long Does The Actual Cremation Take?

It depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult,
cremation takes from two to three hours at normal operating temperature
between 1,650 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F.

What Happens After The Cremation is Complete?

All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed
metal items are "swept" into the back of the cremation chamber and into a
stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from
clothing, hip joints, and bridge work, are separated from the cremated
remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well
as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects. Items such
as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with
the cremated remains. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a
machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn,
selected by the family.

Can Two Cremations Be Performed At Once?

Never. Not only is it illegal to do so, most modern cremation chambers are
not of sufficient size to accommodate more than one adult. Thus it would be
a practical impossibility to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously.

What Do The Cremated Remains Look Like?

Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in
color. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four to
six pounds.

Are All The Cremated Remains Returned?

With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible
to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the
cremated remains are given back to the family.

Do I Need An Urn?

An urn is not required by law. However, an urn may be desired if there is to
be a memorial service or the remains are to be interred in a cemetery. If an
urn is not purchased through us, or provided by the family, the cremated
remains will be returned in a temporary container.


Finally, How Much Does Cremation Cost?

Simple cremation without a formal service costs $1,845. A traditional funeral
with viewing and a service followed by cremation can cost $3,895.00 or
more. Memorialization fees including an urn, cemetery charges and a
monument would be in addition to these figures.
Cremation