Cremation is viewed by the State of Wisconsin as a means of final disposition as opposed to casketed remains buried in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum, or the decedent's remains donated to medical science. The cremation process itself is a method used to reduce the body to bone fragments through the application of intense heat. Over a period of three to four hours the body is altered to a state of small skeletal fragments, not fine ash as believed. These fragments are then processed to become small gravel-sized remains which are placed into a cardboard container or an urn purchased or provided by the family.
Selecting cremation as the form of final disposition will not limit your options in deciding what kind of funeral to have. In fact, it opens a wide array of choices. You may wish to have a casketed service with a public visitation and funeral with cremation following; or to have a funeral service with an urn present; or a memorial service without the presence of an urn. Having a funeral service, a memorial gathering, or a celebration of one's life is an important aspect in the grief process. It allows family and friends a time to come together and recognize a loved one's life, to remember and share stories, and to say a last goodbye.
Yes, cremation can be less expensive than a traditional casketed service with earth burial/entombment of a casket. By choosing a casketed service followed by cremation, families can save thousands of dollars on three areas of a funeral statement: 1) there is no need to purchase an outer burial container or vault; 2) the opening and closing of a grave for an urn is less expensive; 3) the choice of a casket can cost less. Other service options are available that can be less expensive as well.
No, by law, all crematories in Wisconsin must be operated by a licensed funeral home establishment which must be staffed with a licensed funeral director. Not all funeral homes operate their own crematory; therefore, they must use a third party funeral home to perform their cremations. Here at Evergreen Funeral Home, we operate our own on-site crematory and undergo annual inspections by the City of Eau Claire to renew our operating license.
Before cremation can take place, the State of Wisconsin requires the following: 48 hours lapse from time of death; the coroner from the county in which the death occurred must view the body and issue a cremation permit; and signed authorization(s) received from the next of kin. If you wish to have cremated remains present for a service, please keep in mind all these requirements must be met and could therefore delay the cremation process for four to seven days. Operating our own crematory at Evergreen Funeral Home allows us to perform the cremation as soon as all requirements are met. Selecting a funeral home which uses an outside provider could result in a longer waiting time to receive the cremated remains of your loved one.
Wisconsin Cremation Services is an entity of Evergreen Funeral Home designed for those families who are seeking Immediate Cremation (see previous question).
As a funeral home with our own on-site crematory, we are able to provide families with many service options. The main difference is we DO NOT require a membership fee to use our services and our costs are comparable.
It is important to remember that funerals are for the living. Having a funeral or memorial service is an important aspect in the grief process. It allows family and friends a time to remember and honor the life lived by a loved one. Funerals also provide others the opporunity to offer their support, a chance to share pictures, stories, and memories, and to say a last goodbye.
When comparing funerals to other life events such as births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding can cost many times more, but because it is a celebration of a happy time, wedding costs are rarely criticized. Funeral homes are a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, labor intensive business with facility, vehicle, and other expenses that must be factored into funeral costs. Along with merchandise, such as caskets, the services of a licensed funeral director to make arrangements, complete and file required documents, deal with doctors, clergy, florists, newspapers, and others to coordinate all areas of a funeral must be considered as well in the cost. A funeral statement may also include costs not associated with a funeral home such as: honorariums for clergy, organist, and soloist; cemetery costs; a luncheon; obituaries; and grave markers.
Jeff is a licensed funeral director in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, so no you do not. Being licensed in both allows him to conduct funerals and make removals from hospitals, nursing homes, or residences in either state.
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