Frequently Asked Questions about Direct Cremation

People ask cremation services in Scarborough, ME, different questions about direct cremation. 

Here are the most frequently asked questions and their answers. 

Can You Attend a Direct Cremation? 

The short answer is no. You cannot attend a direct cremation. Once you’ve settled on a cremation provider and made the necessary arrangements, the provider handles the rest, including when the cremation takes place. 

To keep prices low, cremation providers perform direct cremation during off-hours - early in the morning or late in the evening. 

They will prepare and ensure your loved one receives a dignified private cremation and return the ashes to you after. 

Some crematoriums and funeral homes allow a small number of people to attend. But this attracts extra charges, eroding the financial advantage of having a direct cremation. 

After receiving the ashes, you are free to organize a personal memorial or celebration of life at your convenience. 

Is Direct Cremation Cheaper? 

Direct cremation is cheaper than traditional cremation or funeral because there’s no funeral service or ceremony before cremation takes place. 

There’s no need to pay for large service packages like embalming and dressing, viewing, or memorial service. 

You don’t have to pay for a casket, flowers, or other funeral or cremation services like a decorative urn, hearse, and newspaper announcement. 

Instead, depending on the provider, you only have to pay for - 

• Transportation and logistics 
  
• Paperwork arrangements - death certificate, death registration, etc 
  
• Private cremation 
  
• Return of ashes to family or next of kin 

The cost savings also covers the planning process. You can arrange a direct cremation online or over the phone, saving you significant time and cost in visiting funeral homes and cremation providers. 

How Does Direct Cremation Work? 

Direct cremation is a swift and straightforward type of cremation. Here’s how it generally works: 

• After the passing, the cremation provider transports your loved one from the place of death into their care 
  
• Their body is refrigerated until all necessary paperwork and permits are completed and filed 
  
• Cremation takes place at a time and date determined by the crematorium. To cremate, the body is placed in a combustible container like cardboard 
  
• After the cremation, the ashes are collected and placed in a temporary urn made of plastic or cardboard 
  
• The family collects the urn, or the crematorium delivers or ships the urn by mail. 

The actual cremation takes three to four hours and another two hours for processing. The entire direct cremation process, from start to finish, takes between four days to two weeks. 

What is Included in Direct Cremation? 

A standard direct cremation service package includes two basic things: collecting the body from the place of death and cremating the body. 

The cremation takes place without embalming, viewing, or visitation and does not require the services of a funeral director. Because of this, it is the most affordable form of cremation. 

We hope you found these answers helpful. Do you have more, or are you looking for direct cremation services in Scarborough, ME? Give us a call or get started with arrangements here.