Most Trusted Cremation Services in Florence, MN

When it comes to cremation services in Florence, MN, funeral homes are in the forefront. Today, these funeral providers can offer you one of the two currently possible methods of cremation: cremation (or cremation with service) and direct cremation. In order to make the right choice, you should understand what difference, if any, exists between these two types.

What is Cremation?

Cremation is a form of ritual for addressing the needs of the deceased and the family to remove the physical body from this earthly plain. It can only be performed by licensed Florence, MN cremation services. They can only do so if they follow the procedures set out by state laws. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Once the crematory has accepted all legal documentation for the deceased, and has him or her in their possession, they must cremate him or her within 24 hours.
• Documents can only be presented by the designated individual.
• Complete documentation must include a photocopy of the death certificate as well as a document signed authorizing cremation. These are produced by the medical examiner or coroner and must be accompanied by an authorized, complying cremation form (149A.95, sbd4) to the legitimate Florence, MN cremation services provider.
• The body must be housed in a suitable alternative container or casket. The alternative container may be a sturdy pine box or a strong cardboard container that is both rigid and combustible.

The Process of Cremation

The actual process of cremation consists of two interrelated parts. In the first part, the human remains become cremains by direct contact with extreme temperatures, which reduce them to a residue of human bones and fragments.

In the second part of cremation, the crematory workers remove the remains and reduce them through pulverization into an ash-like substance. This is what the bereaved receive in a container�"permanent or temporary. They must obtain this, according to state laws, within 3 to 7 days.

Cremation with a Service

Cremation with a service is similar to a traditional funeral. The deceased appears in his or her casket. The funeral director, priest, or family member conducts a funeral service. After the service, the casket, which may or may not be temporary, is removed to a crematory or cremated on-site. The ashes are then presented in the format desired by the bereaved.

Families may later hold celebratory services of various types, including those prior to the scattering (e.g., at an airport, aboard a ship, or during a balloon release). Alternatively, they could have a gathering where the urn is placed, such as at a columbarium or a niche within the funeral home or crematory.

What is Direct Cremation?

In contrast to cremation or cremation with a service, direct cremation (also known as "immediate cremation") does not involve a funeral service. There is no ceremony with the deceased present in physical form. The only ritual is the actual cremation itself. There is no wake, visitation, or formal viewing.

Florence, MN cremation services refer to this as a "basic cremation disposition." The passage from death to cremation is performed as soon as possible, once the mandatory waiting period prescribed by the state is complete.

However, choosing direct cremation does not mean a family cannot hold a ceremony later. Many families choose to hold a memorial service or life celebration after receiving the ashes. The difference is that the ceremony is held without the presence of the body, and sometime after cremation.

Why Choose One or the Other?

Behind both cremation options, whether with a service or direct, lie various reasons, including environmental, cultural, religious, and personal preferences. One major reason people prefer cremation services in Florence, MN is cost.

Generally, cremation costs in Florence, MN vary according to the type. Even when they include a funeral service, they are still lower than the cost of a traditional funeral. The replacement of an elaborate casket with a simple box, rejection of embalming, and elimination of other traditional funeral items all help decrease the price.

Purchasing a spot in a niche or columbarium will increase cremation costs in Florence, MN slightly, but not significantly.

If you truly want a cost-effective option, consider direct cremation. It reduces reliance on people, materials, and services associated with traditional funerals. Overall, it decreases Florence, MN cremation costs the most.

If you are considering this approach, talk to us. We can show you how to reduce cremation costs in Florence, MN while respecting the wishes of your loved one.