Cremation FAQs

Cremation uses high heat to reduce human remains to bone fragments. First, the process consumes organic matter. Then, staff process the remaining fragments into fine particles. Finally, we place these “ashes” into a chosen urn.

Many families choose cremation for its flexibility and simplicity. It often costs less than a traditional burial. Additionally, it allows family members to share remains in keepsake jewelry. This choice also helps when relatives live far apart.

No, we will only cremate human remains. There are crematoriums that specifically cremate pets, your local veterinarian or humane society should be able to provide you with further information.

First, staff place the casket into the cremation chamber. Intense heat then consumes organic matter, leaving only bone fragments. Afterward, we carefully remove these remains from the chamber to cool. Once cooled, we separate and recycle any surgical metal or implants. Next, a mechanical process reduces the bone fragments into fine particles. Finally, we place the ashes into a temporary container or your chosen urn.

Yes, we only cremate one body and casket/container at a time.

We use a strict identification system for every person. A unique metal tag stays with the remains throughout the entire process. This tag goes into the urn during final packaging. Consequently, you can feel certain about the identity of the ashes.

Yes.  We perform cremation by placing the casket into a specialized chamber. Inside, the remains undergo intense heat and direct flame. Consequently, once the heat consumes the container, direct flame reaches the body. 

Yes, our crematorium can accommodate public witnessing. You may make arrangements in advance with our staff to witness the casket or container being placed into the cremation chamber. You may even initiate the cremation process itself.

To begin the process, you must provide three specific documents. First, you must submit a signed Application for Cremation and Contract. Second, an Ontario Coroner must sign a Cremation Certificate. Finally, you need a Burial Permit from the Registrar General. This permit proves the government has registered the death. We must receive all these papers before the cremation starts.

Only specific people hold the legal authority to decide. Usually, the Executor or a spouse makes this choice. Next, the responsibility falls to adult children or parents. We require all immediate kin to be informed first.

We typically wait at least 48 hours after death to begin. However, we can proceed sooner if the Executor provides written instructions. Most families receive the remains within two to five business days. This timeline starts once we receive the deceased and all completed paperwork.

Ontario law requires you to remove all pacemakers and medical implants before transport. These devices can explode under high heat. Such explosions endanger our staff and damage our equipment.

Additionally, we cannot cremate anyone who received radioactive brachytherapy (like Thera-seeds) within the last two years. Please ensure a medical professional removes these items prior to arrival.

As wills are generally read after the funeral, it is best to let your Executor and family know in advance of your wish to be cremated and ensure they agree to abide by your wish. It can be helpful to pre-plan your cremation. Keep in mind, however, that an individual is not permitted under law to authorize their own cremation. The Executor and/or next of kin bear legal responsibility in the disposition of the deceased and have final say on whether to proceed with cremation.

Cremated remains or ashes of an average adult weigh between 2 and 4 kilograms and are usually gray in colour and look similar to course sand once processed.

Cremated remains are placed in a poly-film bag and placed in a temporary cardboard container provided by our crematorium or in an urn or container provided or purchased by the family. In the event that the urn or container supplied will not hold all of the cremated remains,  we will provide an additional temporary container.

We generally release cremated remains within two to five business days. This timeline begins once we receive the casket at our crematorium. However, we can often expedite this process if you need the remains sooner. Please speak with our staff to make these special arrangements.

For security, we only release remains to the person named on the application. That individual must show photo identification. Alternatively, we can release the remains to your designated funeral home.

You can carry cremated remains by hand or mail them. In Canada, only Canada Post ships human remains. You must use a trackable service like Priority or Xpresspost. Always check the current Canada Post website for specific packaging rules.

If you fly, keep the urn in your carry-on luggage. Security must x-ray the container. Therefore, choose an urn made of plastic, wood, or cloth. Metal, granite, or ceramic urns often fail the x-ray scan.

Security officers will not open the urn. However, they will refuse the container if the x-ray is unclear. Always carry the death and cremation certificates. Check the CATSA website for the latest travel updates before you head to the airport.

For more information, you can visit Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)

No. The cremation process is irreversible and all genealogical and medical DNA are destroyed by the intense heat during the cremation.

Yes, Ontario law requires a rigid, combustible container. This ensures a dignified handling of your loved one. You may choose a simple wood box or a ceremonial rental casket. Therefore, you do not need to buy an expensive casket for the service.

There are some restrictions on the types of caskets or containers that can be cremated. Metal caskets or containers cannot be cremated. Caskets or containers made of or containing non-flammable or hazardous materials such as white metal, metal box springs, glass objects, chlorinated plastic or fibre reinforced plastic cannot be cremated. Aside from these restrictions, the type of casket or container selected is a personal decision. Caskets or containers are available in a wide variety of materials ranging from simple containers made of cardboard, MDF or pine, to cloth covered caskets, and even handcrafted hardwood caskets.

Yes, under no circumstances is the casket or container opened by our crematorium staff. Prior to cremation taking place, metal casket handles and other exterior metal casket fittings will be removed by the crematorium to prevent damage to the equipment and recycled with the permission of the Applicant for Cremation.

Yes, providing these items pose no health and/or safety risk during the cremation and are composed of materials that are environmentally safe. Please keep in mind that personal items are not recoverable after the cremation. In many instances, families choose to place jewellery or other small items in the urn with the cremated remains after the cremation is complete.

Urns come in a wide range of styles, sizes, materials and prices. Some commonly chosen options include urns made from wood, bronze, marble, ceramic, glass or biodegradable materials. Cremation also allows for a variety of keepsake options that can help you feel continually connected to a departed loved one and preserve their memory in a more physical way. For example, a small amount of ashes can be placed within a piece of keepsake jewellery, a small keepsake urn, or even a plush teddy bear.

Yes, however it would be advisable that you discuss this situation with our staff or the funeral home prior to cremation. The size of the urn is important so that it can house all of the cremated remains. Also, if the urn will be placed in a niche, it is important to ensure the niche dimensions will accommodate the size of urn selected.

The extreme temperature attained during the cremation destroys items of jewellery as well as gold teeth and dental work making them unrecoverable. If you wish to keep any jewellery we suggest they be removed before the casket or container is transferred to the crematorium. Metal surgical implants like hip replacements made of titanium typically withstand the cremation process but are removed prior to processing and recycled.

You need to decide what should be done with the ashes.
Ashes can be buried in a grave or lot; placed in a niche above ground; scattered in a cemetery garden, cremation ossuary or some other meaningful place such as at sea or land in accordance with provincial or local laws; turned into a diamond; incorporated into a record. There are numerous options and you are really only limited by your imagination.
If you are not ready to make a decision regarding a final resting place at this time, they can be taken home.

Yes, with permission of the land owner. Scattering on Crown land including land covered by water is permissible if it unoccupied. For scattering on municipally owned land, contact the local or regional municipality to determine if there are any restrictions. Bear in mind that scattering outside of a cemetery does not provide for a permanent record of their final resting place and may not provide a permanent memorial as the location may be sold, redeveloped, or have access restricted in the future.

Cemeteries in Ontario are maintained and preserved forever. Whether the ashes are placed in a grave or a niche or scattered, a cemetery provides a focal point for memorializing the deceased and ensures that future generations will have a permanent record and place to visit and remember their loved ones.

The basic charge for cremation is somewhat less than traditional burial. However, with so many items of service available to the family both in the funeral service before, in the mode of disposition after, as well as memorialization option chosen it’s not possible to make an accurate comparison. Again, the family has the option to select as much or as little as they wish and with cremation they have more options for disposition.