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Understanding Cremation

Today, many families are choosing cremation. In some parts of Ohio, 30% of families said they plan to go with the cremation option. All funeral homes advertise "cremation services", but in fact, many of them will use an off-site common facility owned by another funeral home.

For those desiring cremation, you actually have more options and flexibility when it comes to cremation.  Because cremation is simply a means of disposition, all types of services are available.

• Traditional funeral followed by cremation
• Cremation followed by a memorial service
• Funeral and Visitation followed by cremation
• Cremation followed by graveside and inurnment

Furthermore, since we are not restricted by the operating hours of the cemetery, you have the flexibility to schedule your ceremonies for day or night.

OHIO CREMATORY, a Pfeifer Funeral Home affiliate owns and operates its own facility on site. We can ensure that our facility uses the highest standards of care, comfort and accountability. Being an actual crematory operator, we know all there is to know about cremation, and would like to share that knowledge with you so you can be an informed consumer. Please feel free to ask questions, e-mail, write or visit our facility.  Through "open door" policy, we encourage anyone to drop by anytime and we would be proud to give you a private tour of our operation.

Following are answers to some of the more common cremation questions.  The rest of this page may contain information that is too detailed for all readers!

"The Process"

1. At the moment of death, professional staff will arrive and transport the loved one to their cremation facility. In Ohio, a person can not be cremated until a state mandated 24 hour "waiting period" has passed after the death certificate is signed.  The deceased is protected in a temperature controlled refrigeration unit until the cremation can be performed.
   
2. When it is time for the cremation to take place, the deceased if required by state law is placed in a cremation container, and then placed into the cremation chamber.  The length of time the dead body is in the cremation chamber depends on the size of the individual and the type of cremation container or casket. Licensed and trained staff manages this process, which usually takes 2 to 3 hours. The cremation chamber in Ohio must be operated at 1600 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some states require a higher temperature, such as Pennsylvania.
   
3. Following the actual cremation, all bone particles and other materials are retrieved from the cremation chamber by sweeping them into a stainless steel cremated remains tray for cooling and separating.  After being cooled to a handling temperature, all metal materials (metal casket parts, hip joints, e.t.c.) are removed by both visual inspection and use of a strong magnet.
       
4. The cremated remains are next processed to a consistent size and shape and placed into an urn chosen by the family. If an urn has not been selected, then the cremated remains will be returned in either a cardboard or plastic temporary container.
            
5. The cremated remains are now delivered to the family or delivered by us to a cemetery or another final destination.