Proudly Serving Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Hiawassee, McCaysville, Murphy and the surrounding communities.
Cremation Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of questions and responses that we commonly receive at the funeral home. We will continue to include any new questions in this section that we feel would be helpful to others.
If you have a question that has not been covered in this site we would like to hear from you. You may use the "Ask the Director" section of our site to forward your question or comments to us.
If you would prefer to call us on the telephone, our staff would be pleased to provide an answer to any funeral related matter you may have. If we do not have the answer immediately, we will find it for you and contact you the minute the information is in our hands.
| Question #1 | What is Cremation? |
| Answer: | To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation isn't. Cremation is not final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame. |
| Question #2 | Is Cremation A Substitute For A Funeral? |
| Answer: | No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body's final disposition and often follows a traditional funeral service. |
| Question #3 | Is A Casket Needed For Cremation? |
| Answer: | No, a casket is not required for cremation. All that is usually required by most states is an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard, which is cremated with the body. In some states, no conatiner is required. |
| Question #4 | Is Cremation A Means Of Disposition Increasing? |
| Answer: | According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), cremation was the disposition of choice in about 27% of all deaths in the United States in the year 2001. It is projected that the percentage will rise to about 39% in 2010 and 47% in 2025. These figures represent the United States as a whole; individual states may have lower or higher rates of cremation. (Source: Cremation Association of North America) |
| Question #5 | Is Embalming Required Prior To Cremation? |
| Answer: | Absolutely not and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. |
| Question #6 | So, I've Decided On Cremation. Can I Still Have A Funeral Or A Viewing? |
| Answer: | Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. Your Funeral Home can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service. |
| Question #7 | Can The Body Be Viewed Without Embalming? |
| Answer: | No. In order to protect family and staff, due to SARS and TB we require embalming. |
| Question #8 | Can The Family Witness The Cremation? |
| Answer: | Yes, in many cases, cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. In fact, some religious groups include this as part of their funeral custom. |
| Question #9 | Is Cremation Accepted By All Religions? |
| Answer: | Today most religions allow cremation except for Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings. |
| Question #10 | Can An Urn Be Brought Into Church? |
| Answer: | Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service. Most Catholic Churches also allow the cremated remains to be present during the Memorial Mass. In fact, if the family is planning on a memorial service, we encourage the cremated remains be present as it provides a focal point for the service. |
| Question #11 | What Can Be Done With The Cremated Remains? |
| Answer: | There are many options and laws vary state to state. Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered. |
| Question #12 | Do People Choose Cremation Only To Save Money? |
| Answer: | While some people select cremation for economy, many choose this option for other reasons. The simplicity and dignity of cremation, environmental concerns, and the flexibility cremation affords in ceremony planning and final disposition all add to its increasing popularity. |
| Question #13 | Don't Most Funeral Homes Have A Crematory? |
| Answer: | At Cochran Funeral Homes, we have owned and operated our own crematory since 1994. Our operators are certified crematory operators and funeral directors. You can rest assured that your loved one will be taken care of in the most respectful manner, with the greatest of dignity. Sadly, most funeral homes do not own and operate their own crematory. They rely on third party operators to cremate for them. Because of this, you may incur additional transportation charges and needless delay. At Cochran Funeral Home, you deal directly with the crematory. |
| Question #14 | How Can I Be Sure I Receive The Correct Remains? |
| Answer: | All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error. If you have questions, ask the cremation providers what procedures they use. |
| Question #15 | How Long Does The Actual Cremation Take? |
| Answer: | It depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult, cremation takes from two to three hours at normal operating temperature between 1,500 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F. |
| Question #16 | What Happens After The Cremation Is Complete? |
| Answer: | All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items are "swept" into the back of the the cremation chamber and into a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridge work, are separated from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects. Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with the cremated remains. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family. |
| Question #17 | Can Two Cremations Be Performed At Once? |
| Answer: | Never. Not only is it illegal to do so, most modern cremation chambers are not of sufficient size to accommodate more than one adult. Thus it would be a practical impossibility to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously. |
| Question #18 | What Do The Cremated Remains Look Like? |
| Answer: | Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four to six pounds. |
| Question #19 | Are All The Cremated Remains Returned? |
| Answer: | With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family. |
| Question #20 | Do I Need An Urn? |
| Answer: | An urn is not required by law. However, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or the remains are to be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is not purchased through us, or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container. |
Our Services
We understand that it is not always possible to pay respects in person, & hope that this small token will help. You can search for your loved one using the form below.
Loading Services ...
Daily Grief Support by Email
Grieving doesn't always end with the funeral: subscribe to our daily grief support email, designed to help you a little bit every day, by filling out the form below.
Weekly Email Tips to Support a Grieving Friend
Those grieving are in great need of support. If a close friend has recently experienced a loss, fill out the form below to subscribe to our weekly tips and find out how you can be most helpful.
