Even as cremation services in Penn Township, PA and beyond grow in popularity, many people still have lots of questions and concerns when it comes to the process. One of the main concerns the bereaved have with cremation is how their loved one’s remains will be identified throughout the cremation process. Many people hear false horror stories of families being returned the wrong cremains, or just being given bags of wood ash or even of sand. These rumors lead to a lot of concern over the cremation identification process.

However, there is no reason for these concerns as all licensed cremation providers have thorough and effective identification procedures in place to ensure accuracy and dignity. Most licensed cremation providers are more than happy to walk clients through their individual identification process. Don’t be ashamed to ask for these details, as most businesses understand these concerns and are happy to help alleviate them. It’s important for you to be 100% comfortable with your provider and their practices.

It can be difficult to ask questions surrounding such delicate and potentially painful topics. If you’re unsure of what to ask surrounding identification during the cremation process, try these questions such as:

• How can I be sure my loved one is the one you are cremating?
• How can I be sure of this if I choose a cremation without a viewing?
• How are the deceased identified?
• How does this process change if I am not there when he or she passes?
• In what ways do you certify that the ashes I am returned are those of my loved one?

If the cremation provider is unable or unwilling to answer questions such as these, consider taking your business elsewhere. It’s vital that you feel comfortable with the cremation process.

Remember, in most states, crematories are obligated to carry out two different identification processes to ensure the deceased are correctly identified based on the name provided by the authorized agent or the bereaved.

• First, the deceased’s name, as provided by the bereaved or authorized agent, will be clearly listed on the cremation container.
• Second, a metal bracelet, disk, or other tokens will be placed in the container with the deceased. This metal tag will not be broken down during the cremation process and will remain with the cremated ashes to further ensure identification.

If you’re still not comfortable, you can always ask for additional identification steps. You can ask for a detailed explanation of the cremation process in writing, have the cremation provider do a comparison of the deceased to a current photo of your loved one before the cremation begins, ask the cremation provider to do a final identification check based on a listed unique detail like a tattoo or birthmark.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you would like to learn more about the body identification process or Penn Township, PA cremation services. Stop by and visit us today or give us a call.

It’s a good idea to know all you can before a death as a time of loss is not a good time to learn.

Many bereaved have questions about the cremation process, which is understandable as its not common knowledge how it works and its done. This article offers interesting facts about cremation services in North Versailles, PA to give guidance on these sensitive matters.

To begin, the cremation chamber, sometimes called an oven or a retort, operates between 1,400- and 1,800-degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat is necessary to break down the body into small fragments of bone and ash and is generally produced by propane or natural gas. Most cremation ovens are made out of fire-resistant bricks and special masonry. The fire-resistant bricks line the interior of the chamber on the ceiling and walls.

Specially made masonry materials cover the bottom of the chamber as that is the area that is exposed to the highest temperatures. Cremation oven walls are usually about 6 inches think to keep the extreme heat contained. They can have manually or mechanically operated doors depending on the model and design. Organic body materials like skin, tissue, organs and muscle are oxidized and then vaporized during the cremation process, as the human body is mostly made of water, bone and carbon.

These vapors are filtered and released through the oven’s exhaust system. All that remains after a cremation is bone fragments and non-organic materials like artificial bones or joints, implants, or dental work. All jewelry and removable medical devices are taken off the body before the cremation. The bone fragments are separated from non-organic materials and then left to cool.

After cooling, they are processed and broken down into what we call ashes, with a texture like coarse sand. These ashes are placed in sealed bag and returned to the bereaved so they can inurn, bury, scatter or spread them as they so choose. Also, all bodies are placed in a cremation container before the cremation takes places and for the duration of the process. This is to stay in compliance with health and safety codes and to maintain the dignity of the deceased before, during and after the cremation. There are certain container specifications that also must be met for health and safety laws, but the remainder of the container details can be chose by the bereaved.

Many choose standard corrugated boxes, and others choose wooden containers or caskets. No matter what kind of container is chosen, its purpose is to hold the body before the cremation and break down entirely during the cremation, so no residue is left.

These are just a few interesting facts about cremation services and how they work. Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you have more questions about the cremation process or would like to learn more about your options for North Versailles, PA cremation services. We offer a wide range of services designed to help you in your time of loss. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call to learn more.