Steps Taken To Ensure Identification And Care Of Cremated Loved Ones

If you decide to have your loved one cremated, then you absolutely want to be sure that you receive the remains of your family member afterward. This is incredibly important for all loved ones, and for this reason, the funeral industry goes to great lengths to ensure that mistakes are minimized when it comes to making sure that you receive the correct remains in a timely manner. Keep reading to learn about what the crematorium will do to ensure this.

Body Identification Procedures

Crematoriums have fairly strict and concrete procedures when it comes to identifying the deceased and making sure that identification remains with the body. To start, you will be asked to personally identify your loved one. This is extremely difficult for many people, so choose a friend, family member, or a clergy person who is willing and able to make an identification after viewing the body. 

Once the identification is made, an ID tag is placed on the body. And, you will be asked to sign paperwork that authorizes the crematorium to handle the cremation. The paperwork remains with the body along with the ID tag, and it is transferred to the crematorium. At this time, the body may be stored temporarily in the facility as you make other arrangements. 

When you are ready, you have the option of viewing the body once again as it enters the crematorium chamber. You do have the option of skipping this step, but it may be important if you want to ensure identification and also if you want to attend the initial steps of the cremation. 

Urn Labeling

The ID tag that is placed on your loved one will remain in place throughout the cremation. When the ashes are collected, the ID tag is removed from the crematorium and placed with the urn. So, the identification will stay with your loved one at all times. This ID tag will either be used to label the urn at the end of the processing or it will be placed in the urn itself. If it is placed inside the container, the tag is used to create a separate label that is placed on the outside of the urn.

Once the urn is prepared, your initial paperwork will determine who can and cannot pick up the remains. This is another safeguard to ensure that only your family is able to receive the ashes. 

If you want to know more about cremation and the way that remains are handled, speak with a funeral services professional. 


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