How long does cremation take and what should we know about the process?
When dealing with the many aspects of end-of-life services, the cremation process in Victoria brings up a myriad of questions. What are the steps involved in Victorian cremation? What costs are associated with cremation? How long does it take to organise a cremation and receive the ashes of a loved one? For those who have never had to deal with circumstances surrounding this topic before, it can feel overwhelming. Be assured that plenty of information is available, and your questions will be answered below to help you understand the cremation process.
Firstly, it is good to note that in Australia, approximately 70% select cremation as opposed to in-ground burial. Individuals may express their preference for being cremated prior to their departure or on their will for different reasons. There are obvious environmental benefits surrounding lowering the carbon footprint and the convenience of having the remains close by or scattered in a sentimental location. Over and above this, there are cost advantages to cremation in Victoria and nationwide. The cost of cremation can be significantly cheaper than in-ground burial. This is due to the fact that cemetery plots, caskets and headstones can be incredibly expensive. Funeral and burial services can set you back $8000 and upwards, whereas simple cremations Victoria cost roughly $2000 to $6000. The type of cremation urns Melbourne you choose will influence the price too.
Flexibility of cremation
Cremation allows for more flexibility about the ceremony and memorial for the deceased. In most cases, families will choose to hold a funeral or memorial service quickly after a person dies and then send the body off to be cremated, with the option of holding another organised event some weeks or months later. In other cases, families may choose to arrange cremation immediately after the passing, with the ceremony planned once the ashes are returned to the family. In circumstances where relatives live in different parts of Australia or the world, cremation allows more time to bring everyone together for a meaningful end-of-life service.
In more recent times, loved ones are choosing to share remains amongst multiple family members in mini-urns or place remains in speciality jewellery as a way to stay close. This versatility can be appealing to some people.
Timeframe for cremation Victoria
To move forward with cremation in Victoria, necessary paperwork and identification must be carried out, and the cremation steps must be followed. This involves preparing the body for cremation, removing all jewellery and devices, and placing it in a coffin. The coffin is then placed into the cremation chamber for 1-3 hours, and the remains are inspected for integrity and then placed inside an urn or ornament, ready for collection.
Whilst the actual cremation takes a few hours, the process from start to finish typically takes between 3 to 10 days to complete. Administrative factors such as registration of death, authorisation of cremation and scheduling periods at the crematorium will determine how quickly your loved one’s cremation will take. Sometimes multiple parties are involved in the authorisation process, including a hospital, nursing home or coroner. In cases where the circumstances of death require some investigative work, the process may be delayed by days or weeks.
What does a funeral director do to help with cremation?
The Department of Health in Victoria and other states provide clear advice about the required documentation for cremation. In order to minimise stress during the grief period, many bereaving families choose to use a professional funeral service in Victoria to guide them through the steps and arrange everything under one roof. It is worthwhile noting that taking on expert help alleviates emotional stress and saves time because funeral directors have efficient systems in place to streamline burial, cremation and funeral services.
Funeral directors will be very clear about the costs of cremation according to your requirements. Most of the time, reputable funeral homes will be affiliated with a preferred, compliant crematorium which will benefit families by giving them peace of mind, quicker turnaround and fair pricing. More so, the various packages will be easy to understand with requests managed expertly and with compassion from the funeral director, whose expertise lies in navigating these situations.
A good funeral service provider can also guide you through the most suitable ceremony options to ensure the deceased is honoured with integrity and according to their wishes. This may include a service before the cremation, a larger memorial event following the cremation, or even both.
Finding the right company in Victoria to arrange the cremation of a loved one
There are several cremation services in Victoria that you can deal with directly to organise this aspect of the end-of-life arrangements. Their fees will include collecting the body, assisting with paperwork, conducting the cremation and returning the remains to your desired location as an end-to-end package. This is an isolated service that does not include a memorial, ceremony or end-of-life event to send off your loved one in a meaningful way.
Achieving a well-rounded ‘goodbye’ involves more than cremation, so involving a funeral service company in Victoria to facilitate cremation as well as services, memorials, wakes, and any style event is worthwhile.
The cost of cremation through a professional funeral home can be surprisingly cheaper than trying to arrange it yourself. You can feel confident that everything will be taken care of according to your loved one’s wishes.
Speak to Fixed Price Cremations to discuss the option of cremation for a pre-paid funeral or the upcoming arrangements for your loved one. With decades of experience, you will immediately feel comfortable and in the best hands during this difficult time.
