People have many questions on the Cremation Process, here we try and cover some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.
The majority of funerals in Christchurch are followed by cremation. There is general consensus that cremations have become the standard option due to cost. The cost of cremation is more affordable than a funeral followed by burial, but not by much. A Cremation Fee in Christchurch can be upto $1250. A Burial Plot is often not much more ($2009 at Christchurch Council Cemeteries, $1000 at Kaiapoi at 2025) plus burial fees.
Certain items are asked not to be placed with the deceased for cremation. Items with any type of battery or electronic devices need to be removed as when batteries are heated they explode. Excessive rubber or plastic cannot be cremated as it would cause unnecessary pollutants to be released into the atmosphere. Items such as glass or metal will melt and will damage the crematorium itself.
We are often asked by family members if they get back the ashes of their family member. Families always receive only the ashes of the deceased. After the funeral takes place the deceased is taken to the crematorium where the cremation takes place. Cremations take place throughout the day and each cremation usually takes 90 minutes. Every crematorium has processes in place that track the deceased before, during and after the cremation process takes place. People are cremated separately and remains are removed once the cremation process is complete. The crematorium needs to be turned off for a time once the process is complete to remove the ashes. Only one body is ever cremated in a crematorium (with the exception if a Mother and Baby are in the same casket). Following the cremation process the ashes are placed in an urn to be returned to the family.
If a scattering urn is required, this can be organised with our funeral directors in Blenheim Road, Christchurch.
As local funeral directors we are asked many and varied questions regarding cremations, we welcome your questions. Contact us here with any questions you may have.