our cremation services
Cremation basics
Cremation is a way to accelerate the decomposition process. Today this can be done using either flame or in a newer process using water. In each case, a person’s body is reduced to fragments of bone, which are processed into what most people call “ashes” or cremated remains. These ashes are then returned to the family in an urn of their choosing.
About our crematory
At Goes Funeral Care, our crematory is on-site, so your loved one will not be transported to a third-party for cremation. We see our crematory as a sacred space where people are treated with dignity in their final moments. Families are welcome to come in to see our crematory at any time and they can even be part of the cremation process alongside us.
Cremation options
It is important to know all of your options when choosing cremation. We may have a viewing, either public or private. Some families also choose to be part of the cremation process (learn more about witnessed cremation here). Most importantly, start to think of a way to honor the person’s life. This does not have to be a formal funeral service, but some type of gathering, celebration, or quiet moment can bring comfort at this time.
Next steps
Where do a person’s ashes go? Some families choose to keep a person’s ashes at home, perhaps on display in an urn. You can also bury cremated remains in a cemetery in order to have a permanent place to go to remember. Others may have a special place they want to scatter ashes. Ashes can be scattered from the air, turned into artwork, worked into jewelry…the list goes on.
Reasons for cremation
People choose cremation for a variety of reasons. Cremation can be more cost effective for those who are working within a budget. We also see that families are more spread out than they once were, so there is no shared, local cemetery for them to visit. Whatever the reason, cremation provides many ways to honor the person’s life.
Water cremation
As discussed above, a newer method of cremation uses water rather than flame. In water cremation, also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, the process of decomposition is accelerated using a very basic pH solution to reduce the body to bone, which is then processed into ashes. This option is more environmentally friendly and provides another option to families.