Yes. In fact, grief experts believe that you SHOULD view your loved one. This is very important to the grieving process. Our sister firm Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation can accommodate a private family viewing with up to 15 family members at the crematory prior to cremation.
What is left of the body after the cremation?
After the cremation is completed small pieces of bone remain. Those remains are further processed and refined into a consistency similar to that of coarse sand. These remains are white or grey in color and are referred to as ashes or cremated remains. The remains weigh about 5 lbs. and are similar in size to a 5-lb. bag of sugar.
How hot does it get in the cremation chamber?
The cremator must reach a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit before the cremation can begin. The majority of the cremation takes place between 1600 – 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does a cremation take?
The length of the cremation depends on a number of factors (i.e. person’s size, sex, cremation number of the day). It takes about 30 minutes for the cremation chamber to warm up. Then the cremation itself takes 2-3 hours, and another 2 hours to cool down.
Do I need to buy a casket to be cremated?
No, you do not need to buy a casket to be cremated. Minnesota state law requires the use of a Cremation Container during the cremation process. Cremation Containers range from a basic Alternative Container (made of cardboard and plywood) to a traditional casket made of solid wood.