-
What exactly is embalming
and how long does it last?
-
Is embalming required by
law
?
- Is a casket
required for cremation or for burial?
- What makes
one casket better than the another?
-
What is the purpose of a
burial vault?
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What is the first thing
to do when a loved one dies out of town?
Embalming is a process of
injecting preservative fluid through the arterial system to achieve
temporary preservation of the body, usually for the purpose of having a
visitation and/or funeral service. The duration of this preservation is
difficult to predict since it is affected by many factors such as the
cause of death, weight of the person, drug and other therapies they may
have had, and burial conditions.This is the answer to the
question.
No, embalming is required by law only in rare circumstances. But most
funeral homes do not allow public viewing without embalming. In many
instances we are able to offer families the opportunity for a private
viewing prior to burial with minimal preparation not involving
embalming.
No, a casket is not required by law for cremation. The law requires a
minimal alternative container (usually cardboard) for the transportation
of the remains to the crematory. Families always have the option to use
a casket if they so desire and there are many reasonably priced caskets
made specifically for cremation. Many families choose to have a
visitation and/or service prior to cremation and would like to select a
suitable casket.
Is a casket required for burial?
The law does not require a casket for burial. In cases where direct
burial is chosen, families may use an alternative container that is the
least expensive alternative. View our price list to see that we also
have many reasonably priced caskets.
All caskets serve the purpose of
containing the remains for burial or cremation purposes. Whether one is
‘better’ than another is a highly personal and subjective decision.
Casket prices, however, vary depending on the outer materials used. The
major difference is either metal or wood. Within each of these
categories there are a variety of price points. With wood there are
simple fiberboard caskets, pines, hardwood veneers, solid hardwoods of
increasing beauty such as oak, pecan, cherry and mahogany. Within the
metal caskets there are lightweight steel, medium weight steel,
stainless steel, solid copper, and solid bronze. As the basic materials
increase in cost, the casket finishes, hardware, and interior fabrics
typically increase in quality and cost as well.
Outer burial containers, also commonly
known as burial vaults, are typically required by all cemeteries in the
Chicago area to shore up the earth above the casket. The weight of
cemetery equipment such as trucks and backhoes would crush the casket if
an outer container were not used. Many outer containers have special
seals and linings which prevent water and other substances from entering
the vault.
If a person dies out of town and is to
be returned to the home location, it usually is best to contact the
hometown funeral provider first. Usually the hometown director can
handle all arrangements in the out-of- town location and typically it is
far less expensive to make arrangements this way rather than for the
family to contact an out-of-town funeral home directly.