Cremation

We have always been honored and even humbled that families entrust the care of their dead to us. Since 1913, our care and concern has remained consistent. 

In the mid-1990's, we felt we could provide more superior service by having greater control over the cremation services we were offering. That control came by having our own crematory onsite. Much planning and preparation went into the installation of the crematory and the remodeling of the building. We were able to start having the ultimate control of the process in March of 2000.

Because we have the control of the process we are able to provide enhanced family involvement and witnessing options. Some families choose to be present for the start of the cremation even starting the cremator; some choose to stay onsite during the entire process. 

As part of our process, we are concerned about positive identification. Any time the chain of custody between the family and the funeral home is interrupted, we require someone to re-establish that identification. So, if the death occurs at home or at a facility with the family present when we arrive then the chain of custody is intact. However, if the family leaves before we arrive, or if the death occurs at a hospital and the family has to leave before the deceased can be transferred to the morgue, then a positive identification is necessary. We find that some families appreciate the extra time to say "goodbye" even if the chain of custody has not been disrupted.

We do what ever we need to do to assist the family through the difficult time following the death. Some families need some of the extras while others don't.

Once the identification is established we use a stainless steel tag to maintain the continuity of the custody.

After the cremation is complete the tag is placed into the urn.

We then follow up the process with a set of lockers for each urn. There is identification placed on the outside of the locker and it is locked with a key. This is another step to ensure there is no confusion.

Since we have total control over the cremation process, we have the ability to schedule the cremation as needed (as always within the limits of the law). We have had families have an open casket visitation and a closed casket service the next day, where the cremation is preformed overnight and the urn is in the closed casket for the services. This allows for the committal service to be held at the completion of the funeral services.

We currently have two members of our staff that perform our cremations. Both of these individuals have completed the necessary training and are certified Crematory Operators; as well as being licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers in the State of Ohio. This certification program is not required by our State, but is a requirement of many states. We feel that it is important to the families we serve that we be in the forefront of the available training. When we selected our cremator for installation, we chose the best available technology for similar reasons.

We firmly believe that it is through our interaction with our peers that we are able to maintain our training, but also keep abreast with the industry "Best Practices." We therefore belong to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) and the Ohio Crematory Operator’s Association. We are also members (by invitation) of Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the Order of the Golden Rule (OGR). We feel that these organizations keep us learning from the best in North America and internationally. 

When choosing cremation, the options for a final resting place are limitless. Let us walk you through the possibilities as you choose the right service for your loved one.