Cremation Blog

Cost-cutting with a do-it-yourself cremation method qualifies as beyond bad. It’s terrible because of the work involved. It’s dangerous. And in many places, it’s illegal.

In the Chinese province of Zhejiang, two brothers recently tried to save money by cremating their father’s body. They transported the deceased to a local dump, where they torched the body with gasoline then left it to burn. The Chinese authorities took the brothers into custody for unlawful disposal of a human body.

Cremation is one of the fastest growing alternative burial methods in the country. Yet, most people are not aware of the cremation laws and rules that must be followed when cremating a loved one. In this article, we’ll discuss some frequently asked questions to guide you through the process.

It is important to note that there are specific licensing and operational requirements to be considered an authorized crematory. State and local laws also govern who can authorize a cremation for a deceased family member and how long after death a cremation can be performed. Philadelphia cremation laws and rules offer a many options and considerations for cremating a loved one.

Who Can Choose Cremation As a Form of Burial?

Only the person considered to be the next-of-kin can authorize cremation. In some states, this person is referred to as the “authorizing agent.” The official process to authorize a cremation begins with signing of a declaration for disposition form by the next-of-kin.

Do Cremation Rules or Laws Require a Cremation Permit?

After the declaration of disposition has been filed with the official death certificate, the county’s office will issue a cremation permit. Depending on the county, the cost for the cremation permit may be between $15-$40.

Are There Rules or Laws With a Mandatory Waiting Period Before Cremation?

The state and local laws vary, so be sure to check with your local jurisdiction. Usually, there is a 24-hour waiting period between when the person died and when they can be cremated. Some states lengthen this to 48-hours after death before cremation can occur. However, if the disposal of the body should be done to maintain public health, in the instance of a contagious disease, then the state coroner can override this waiting regulation and order an immediate cremation take place.

Are Cremation Providers Licensed?

According to federal regulations, all cremation providers must be certified and licensed within the county or state in which they perform cremation services. Within the funeral industry, there are additional regulations and best practices that reputable crematory and burial providers must follow. These would include proper and ethical handling of remains, accurate documentation of processes performed, as well as safe practices related to cremation collection and/or disposal. You can always ask to see licensure and documentation before selecting a cremation provider.

Can I Be Cremated Without a Funeral Service?

Yes, you can opt for cremation without holding a traditional funeral service. This option is known

Diamonds may be seen as a hot commodity these days for very different reasons than once before thought. The precious gem is being manufactured from no other than – human remains! Algordanza, a Swiss company, is revolutionizing the cremation industry and offering families the option to turn their loved one’s cremated remains into beautiful diamonds. Their process involves taking the remains, applying extremely high heat and pressure, mimicking similar conditions elemental carbon undergoes deep within the Earth to form diamonds.

The Vatican recently announced new cremation guidelines for Catholics. According to the newly released cremation requirements guidelines, Catholics may be cremated, but should not have their ashes kept in urns in loved ones’ homes or scattered over large bodies of water.

At the Philadelphia Cremation Society, we see the friends and family of those who are recently deceased at their most vulnerable. The grief of the loss, paired with the need to plan a memorial befitting the live that was lived, can be difficult and painful to navigate. Too many people incorrectly correlate the amount that they will spend on the memorial, cremation, and service for their loved one as an expression of the love they have for them. Too many remark, as they spend more than perhaps they are able, that it is the best last thing they will be able to do for the one they love. This is just a fact of grief.

To be clear, there is no amount of money that will ever equal the love, fondness, and admiration you hold for your loved one. They knew this in life. This is why the Philadelphia Cremation Society places more importance on crafting the memorial, cremation, and service that speaks to the life and personality of your loved one rather than presenting perhaps unnecessary and expensive add-on items and services that won’t accurately represent who your loved one was. 

The advance of technology seems to be moving faster than a speeding bullet and more powerfully than a locomotive. There is much about each successive technological leap that helps to improve our overall quality of life.

The paper calendar gave way to handheld pocket calendars which preceded today’s multi-platform online calendar that can be updated automatically across several devices. The convenience enjoyed as a result of this example hardly even qualifies as one of the greater improvements we’ve been granted by the evolution of innovation.

Now, apparently, technology has advanced yet again, this time offering us comfort during what is arguably one of the most difficult and stressful life events we could ever experience. The loss of a loved one is never easy. Seeking to provide solace to those in grief, Arlington, Vermont-based Cremation Solutions found the intersection of touching memorial and technology in their 3-D printed custom designed urns.

The Delaware River and the ocean it runs to have been the life blood of the city of Brotherly Love. It should come as no surprise, then, that so many Philadelphians find comfort in selecting a scattering service into the great river and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

But an interesting story has recently come to light out of that city to the north, from the borough of Brooklyn. It is there that two octogenarian twin brothers have decided a simple scattering service is not what will suit them when it is time to shuffle off this mortal coil. 

If you are a frequent visitor to our blog, you know that we place a special importance on educating Philadelphians about the process of cremation and how it has become the choice of the majority of those preplanning their own end-of-life arrangements. While we are proud of the information we provide on our blog, we also want to highlight community events that serve to offer further insight into one of the most important decisions we can make in our lives.

On Tuesday of this week, there will be two events held at the Parsippany Main Public Library. The first of the two events is entitled “In Dying Order: Exploring Burial, Cremation, Funerals, and Other Options.” Leading the discussion for those in attendance will be a local funeral director who will frankly discuss the issues surrounding the formulation of our end-of-life planning. Attendees are urged to preregister for the event by calling (973) 887-5150, ext 209 or by signing up at www.parsippanylibrary.org.