Is cremation more costly than burial?

Generally cremation is less expensive than burial at major cemetery/crematoria complexes. However, you should discuss the matter with a funeral director who will be able to advise you of the precise cost.

How many people use cremation today in Australia?

There are approximately 100,000 deaths each year in Australia and over 55,000 cremations take place.

Are there any religious groups which forbid cremation to their members?

Yes. It is forbidden by Orthodox Jews and Moslems and some other religious groups. However, most Christian denominations including the Roman Catholic Church allow cremation. It is the normal method of Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Buddhists.

What religious ceremony can I have with cremation?

The service may take place in one’s own church or chapel with a short committal service in the crematorium chapel, or the whole service may be conducted in the crematorium chapel. Alternatively the whole service may be conducted elsewhere, with no service at the crematorium. You may arrange for your own Minister or Celebrant to conduct the service at the crematorium. The form of service should be arranged with the Minister and funeral director.

Must there be any religious ceremony with cremation?

No. A civil ceremony can be conducted or there may be none at all. On occasions a memorial service is conducted away from the crematorium.

How is cremation arranged?

Due to the finality of cremation, specific documentation is required under the Cremation Act 1966. It is best to approach a funeral director immediately death occurs. Discuss with him how soon you wish the cremation to take place, whom you wish to officiate at the service and the form of service. The funeral director will then do all that is needed to procure the necessary documents to be completed for the cremation.

Do I have to sign anything at this stage?

Yes. If you are the executor or the next of kin or authorised by either to do so you will be asked to complete an application for cremation and the crematoriums’ authority forms.

What can happen to the cremated remains?

Many families request a Memorial in the crematorium grounds and a variety are available for selection, however cremated remains may be scattered.

What memorials are possible them?

Most crematoria offer niche wall plaques, plaques on kerbs or in rose, tree or shrub gardens. If you want to know about memorial facilities at the crematorium you should enquire of the crematorium at the time of making arrangements to ascertain what facilities are available. This can avoid disappointments at a later date.

What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?

The coffin is usually brought into the chapel and placed on the catafalque prior to the mourners entering and taking their seats. At the appropriate time during the service the coffin will be removed from view, by being lowered. At the end of the service the mourners leave the chapel and can inspect the floral arrangements before leaving.

What happens to the coffin after the service?

It is withdrawn into a committal room where the nameplate of the coffin is checked with the cremation order to ensure correct identity. The coffin is then identified with a label giving all the relevant information. This identification then stays with the coffin until the final disposal of the cremated remains.

Does the cremation take place immediately, or are the coffins stored up until a number are ready to be cremated?

The cremation will follow as soon as possible after the service.

Is the coffin cremated with the body?

Yes. The coffin is placed in the cremation chamber intact.

What happens about handles and other fittings?

The coffin with its handles and fittings are placed in the cremation chamber intact.

What about precious and other metals?

The temperature at which a modern cremator operates (between 800 and 1000 C) is such that metals are fused together with other materials so that they are not recognisable and have no salvage value. Any metallic material resulting from a cremation is disposed of in accordance with the instruction of the cremation authority by burial within the crematorium grounds.

What do you recommend to people about leaving items of jewelry on a body?

The best advice is that they should be removed after death. Once the coffin has entered the crematorium grounds the coffin cannot be opened.

Is more than one coffin cremated at one time in a cremation?

No. The only exceptions permitted to this rule are in the case of a mother and baby or twin children when we will accept both in the same coffin if the next of kin request that the two be cremated together.

Can relatives witness the committal of the coffin?

Yes. People are permitted to attend if they wish, how ever advance notice is required and special arrangements as to timing may need to be made.

How can I be assured that I receive the correct ashes?

As explained, each coffin is identified on arrival and the identity label is placed on the outside of the cremator as soon as the coffin is placed into it. This label stays there until the remains are removed and it is then transferred to the cooling tray which then goes to the preparation room. The label stays with the remains until they are placed in a container which is also suitably identified. As each cremation chamber will only accept one coffin and the remains must be withdrawn before the cremator is used again, all remains are kept separate throughout he process.

Preparation of the cremated remains has been mentioned. What does this entail?

When the cremation is complete, the remains are withdrawn from the cremator into a cooling tray. When cool, the remains are placed into a machine which reduces them to a fine, white ash.

What do the prepared remains consist of?

The remains are now bone ash in a state which permits them to be strewn if desired.

Can I keep the cremated remains if I want to or must I dispose of them?

In most instances disposal of the cremated remains is the responsibility of the administrators of the estate. They may keep the cremated remains if they so wish or they may prefer to arrange a memorial.

How can I ensure that I am cremated when I die?

Clear instructions in writing should be given to the person who will be responsible for your funeral when you die. These instructions are not binding in law, unless written in your will, so you should ensure that the person you instruct is someone who will carry out your wishes. The final decision rests with your executors.

If I wanted to know more about cremation, and perhaps inspect the crematorium how should I go about it?

Contact
Grantley Perry & Sons or the Norwood Park Crematorium to discuss your options.

NORWOOD PARK CREMATORIUM
Sanford Street, Mitchell, A.C.T. 2911
Telephone +61 2 6241 3177
Fax +61 2 6241 7649