Questions to Ask

This is the age of the informed consumer. In fact, Vanessa Nornberg writes, in the online article "Why 2014 Will be the Year of the Informed Consumer", "In short, 2014 will be a year in which knowledge is king. Consumers will wield it as both a shield and a badge of courage." And she advises today's consumers to continue to "be more demanding of information" about the products and services they purchase. In the spirit of transparency and support, we offer you these questions to ask a crematory or cremation provider. Of all those we've heard, we consider these to be the most valuable; the answers to each of the following questions provide you with the kind of information you need to make any cremation-related decision.

The Top Questions to Ask

Knowing what's important to you and your family is the start to any inquiries you make. Certainly it's safe to say that you're concerned about ethical business practices and processes; after all, you do not want to entrust your loved one's final care to a crematory or cremation provider operating without strict guidelines. (If you're interested in learning more about our professional ethics, we invite you to read Our Code of Ethics.) Let's look beyond our philosophical code, and focus on the fundamental questions to ask a crematory or cremation provider. CANA, the Cremation Association of North America, advises consumers to ask the following questions (to which we've added some of our own):

• Who owns the crematory?
• How often is it inspected by regulatory agencies?
• Are all required licenses and permits current?
• How many crematory operators do they have, and what type of certification do they possess?
• Is there a refrigeration unit on the premises?
• How long will the crematory hold the body before the cremation?
• Does the crematory allow family members to witness the cremation? 
• Will your staff handle all phases of the arrangement and cremation processes?
• Is a member of your staff available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (holidays included)?
• Will a licensed professional oversee all the details?
• Is cremation performed quickly after the required paperwork is completed and the permits are secured?
• Do you charge extra for a deceased who is overweight?
• What do you charge for a direct cremation? What other cremation service options do you provide, and how much do they cost?

In addition to asking these questions of crematory operators and cremation providers, you should also make some personal inquiries: ask your friends and neighbors for their recommendations or seek the advice of your pastor or clergy person. And here's something very important to remember: never choose a crematory or cremation services provider based on the price they charge.

How We Can Help

When it comes to choosing a crematory or cremation provider; we're here to support and empower area residents with clear, honest answers to their most pressing questions. We invite you to reach out to us by phone at 1-866-748-3625 or by email using the form on our Contact Us page.  

Online Sources:

Nornberg, Vanessa, "Why 2014 Will be the Year of the Informed Consumer", Inc, updated January 2, 2014