Cremation Services

After choosing cremation, it is important to browse through your cremation options. On this page, we explore the types of cremation available to you. If you are still unsure about cremation, please contact us. Cremation is a popular option for many area families for a wide variety of reasons. You can have a traditional funeral before a cremation or a memorial service at any time with or without the urn present. You can keep the urn, scatter the ashes or have the urn buried in a grave or columbarium. When choosing a cremation service, we’re here to offer you a meaningful ceremony.

Part of making funeral arrangements on behalf of a loved one involves choosing between burial of the body, or cremation. Certainly this is a big decision, based on any number of factors: religious or spiritual beliefs, finances, or ecological awareness are just some of the reasons we've heard for choosing cremation. Before you can make the choice, you need to know exactly what it is you're considering. You can learn the basics below, however, if the content here raises additional questions for you, please give us a call. One of our cremation specialists will address any of your inquiries or concerns.

The Cremation Association of North America describes cremation as, "The mechanical and/or thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments". On our page, The Cremation Process, we offer a deeper look at the most common cremation process which uses extreme heat.

As we said earlier, people choose cremation over burial of casketed remains for any combination of reasons. Sometimes it's the simple fear of burial itself, which may stem directly from the Victorian phobia of being buried alive.

Cremation is becoming an increasingly common choice among families in Weirton, WV. We understand that this is not an easy topic to think about and discuss with your family.

The reasons for choosing cremation in Weirton, WV are varied and personal. You may choose cremation based on environmental considerations, philosophical or religious reasons, or even because you feel it is simpler or less complicated.

You may also choose cremation because it can be less expensive than traditional burial, although local cremations vary widely in price and cost based on your personal selections.

Regardless of the reason, cremation is only half of the story. Your plans for a viewing, visitation, funeral, or memorial service don’t have to change if you choose cremation. 

Just as with traditional burial, a local funeral director or preneed specialist can help you to plan your services, whether they happen before or after cremation. There are a variety of options available, some of these include: 

• Cremation following a funeral service and visitation  
• Memorial service with or without the cremated ashes present 
• Religious service 
• Direct cremation with no service 

Planning and setting aside funds for your funeral arrangements can provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your final expenses are covered, and that you will be memorialized in a way that is meaningful to you and your family. Simply Speaking: Cremation is designed to help you better understand cremation in Weirton, WV, your options for a memorial, and the resources available to help you figure it all out.  

Once the decision for cremation has been made, all that's required is authorization. This is provided by the person who is the legally identified or appointed next-of-kin. Once all authorization documents are signed, and service charges are paid; the body can be transported from the place of death to the crematory and the cremation process can take place. However, there are some additional things you may wish to consider, such as:

• Is there a special set of clothes (such as a military uniform or favorite dress) your loved one would appreciate wearing? This will be a focus of the cremation arrangement, and you will be advised by your funeral director as to your best options for jewelry or other valuables.
• Are there any keepsake items you'd like to include in their cremation casket? Perhaps there's a special memento, such as a treasured photograph or letter? We sometimes suggest family members write cards or letters, and place them in the casket prior to the cremation.
• Would you or other family members like to be present for–or participate to some degree in–your loved one's cremation? Because we know how healing it can be to take part in an act of "letting go", we welcome the opportunity to bring interested family or friends into the crematory. Please discuss your desire to participate with your funeral director.
  
• What will you keep the cremated remains or ashes in after the cremation or the service? Many families are simply unaware that they can purchase a cremation urn to be placed in a special place such as the family home. We offer a large selection of urns that will help memorialize your loved one. Ask one of our caring funeral director's to see the wide variety of urns.

We are caring cremation experts who promise each family we serve the highest level of:

• Courteous, professional service. Our dedicated staff will take care of all details, including prompt filing of required permits and notifications. Accurate completion of these essential documents not only ensures their acceptance by local or state agencies; it guarantees your loved one's cremation will not be delayed.
• Respectful care of the deceased and timely completion of cremation process. Your loved one will be attended to by certified crematory operators; each of whom has been trained to provide both compassionate care for the deceased, and conscientious attention to detail throughout the cremation process.
• Safekeeping and prompt return of cremated remains. We know it's important for the families we serve to know their loved one will be coming home as soon as possible. That's why we promise to notify you as soon as their ashes become available, and safeguard their urn until the time you are ready to receive them.
• A memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased. There are many advantages to taking some time to remember the life lived, share stories and laugh about all of the memories. Our team can help you plan a fitting memorial service with or without the cremation urn present, at our facility or in a place of your choosing.

We offer three cremation options; each can be modified to meet your needs:

1. Traditional cremation services. These are much like a traditional funeral. The body of the deceased, placed in a specially-selected cremation casket or a rental casket, is the focal point of the service. A visitation can take place prior to the funeral service and the cycle is completed with the cremation rather than a traditional burial. Once the cremation has occurred, the cremated remains are returned to your family. You can then decide to scatter, bury, or retain the cremated remains in an urn.
2. Memorial gathering after the cremation has taken place. This can occur at any time after the cremation process. The urn is usually on display at the service, which can take place in any setting preferred by the family.
3. Direct cremation. This involves completion of all required paperwork and the transportation of the deceased from the hospital, home, nursing facility, or coroner's office to the crematory.

Cremation has been a part of the human death experience for a very long time. If you would like to understand more about the cremation process we invite you to read this section. We'll also take a look at cremation costs that will help you with your decision.

Traditional cremation is the process of reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call ashes. Returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these ashes can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.

The container housing the remains, which can be a casket or an alternative container, is placed in the retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to three hours to reduce an average adult to skeletal remains. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn or temporary container. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.

There really are no standardized cremation costs in the Weirton area. Basically, the individual charges which make up the final cost of cremation include the administrative services of a funeral professional, transportation of the deceased to the crematory, the alternative or cremation casket selected, and the fees charged by the crematory for the cremation process. There are additional costs, if you decide to hold a funeral or memorial service. 

Ranging from the very simple to the more all-inclusive, our cremation prices and packages were designed with today's families in mind. Value-driven, each offers a unique set of cremation-related services at a very affordable cost. We have various packages with different cremation pricing that represent the most popular choices.

Cremations costs in Weirton range from prices as low as $2500 to $10,000 depending on what services and merchandise you select. 

What is a crematorium?

A crematorium is a facility or building specifically designed and equipped for the process of cremating human remains. It is a specialized facility where bodies are cremated, usually through the use of high temperatures, to reduce them to their basic elements, primarily bone fragments. Crematoriums typically have one or more cremation chambers, also known as retorts or cremation ovens, which are capable of reaching and maintaining the high temperatures required for the cremation process. These facilities often have dedicated spaces for mourners to gather, such as chapels or viewing rooms, where funeral or memorial services can take place before or after the cremation. The ashes resulting from the cremation process are generally returned to the family or designated recipients for final disposition. Crematoriums may be owned and operated by private entities, religious organizations, municipalities, or funeral service providers.

How long does the cremation process last in a crematory?

The duration of the cremation process in a crematory can vary depending on several factors, including the size and weight of the body, the type of cremation equipment used, and the specific protocols followed by the crematory. On average, the cremation process typically takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours. However, it's important to note that this is an estimate and the actual duration may vary. Some cremations may be completed in a shorter period of time, while others, particularly for larger individuals, may take longer. It's best to consult with the specific crematory for more precise information regarding their processes and estimated timeframes.

What happens to the ashes after someone is cremated in West Virgina?

In West Virginia, the handling and disposition of cremated remains, or ashes, are governed by state laws and regulations. Generally, there are several options for the final disposition of ashes after someone is cremated in WV:

The cremated remains can be returned to the family or designated recipient. The family can decide how to handle the ashes, whether to keep them at home, place them in an urn or other container, or scatter them in a location of significance.

The ashes can be buried in a cemetery or burial plot. West Virginia law allows for the burial of cremated remains in cemeteries, either in traditional burial plots or in specific sections designated for cremated remains.

A columbarium is a structure or dedicated area within a cemetery or mausoleum designed to house urns containing cremated remains. Families may choose to place the urn with the ashes in a niche within a columbarium.

Cremated remains can be scattered in a location that is meaningful to the deceased or the family, such as a favorite outdoor spot or at sea. It's important to comply with local laws and regulations when scattering ashes in public areas or bodies of water.

 Ashes can be incorporated into memorial or keepsake items, such as jewelry or glass art, allowing loved ones to carry a small portion of the remains as a keepsake.

It's worth noting that WV law does not mandate the specific method of disposition but rather provides options for families to choose from. It is advisable to consult with a funeral director or crematory in Ohio for more detailed information and guidance regarding the handling and final disposition of ashes in accordance with state and local regulations.

Sources:

Wikipedia, "Cremation"