Cremation Q&A

To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation in Dallas & Fort Worth aren’t. Cremation is not final disposition of the remains, nor is some type of funeral service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame.

Authorization for Cremation and disposition must be made on forms provided by SimpleCremation.org and its affiliates.

The following persons, in the priority listed, may act as the Authorizing Agent to control the cremation of the decedent’s remains. In situations where there are multiple persons in the line of heirship (children, parents, or siblings), signatures will be required from all persons in that line.

1. The person designated in a written instrument signed by the decedent;

2. The decedent’s spouse;

3. All of the decedent’s surviving adult children;

4. The decedent’s surviving parent(s);

5. All of the decedent’s surviving adult siblings.

SimpleCremation.org and affiliates reserve the right to refuse to complete the Dallas area cremation if all persons have not signed. If a dispute has not been resolved concerning the cremation of the remains, a reasonable basis for questioning any representation made by the Authorizing Agent, or other lawful reasons exist for refusal to cremate the remains. The same is true for the release of the cremated remains.

It depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult, Dallas cremation takes from two to three hours at a normal operating temperature between 1,500 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F.

All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items, are "swept" into the front of the cremation chamber and into a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridgework, are separated from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects. Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with the cremated remains. The remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family.

Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four to eight pounds of cremated remains.

The cremated remains are placed in a simple urn at no charge to you. Or they may be placed in the urn of your choice from our large selection of urns available for purchase.

With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family.

There are many options. Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or a cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property. Our staff will be happy to discuss these options with you.

When compared to other major life events like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral.

Additionally, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers, and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Funeral directors look upon their profession as a service, but it is also a business. Like any business, funeral homes must make a profit to exist.

It really depends entirely on how you wish to commemorate a life. One of the advantages of cremation is that it provides you with increased flexibility when you make your funeral and cemetery arrangements. You might, for example, choose to have a funeral service before the cremation; a memorial service at the time of cremation or after the cremation with the urn present; or a committal service at the final disposition of cremated remains. Funeral or memorial services can be held in a place of worship, a funeral home, or in a crematory chapel.

Cremation regulations vary from state-to-state.

Never. Not only is it illegal to do so, but most modern cremation chambers also are not of sufficient size to accommodate more than one adult. Thus it would be a practical impossibility to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously.

Yes, for a nominal fee. Our state-of-the-art cremation facility is set up to allow family members to be present when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. In fact, some religious groups include this as part of their funeral custom.

An urn is not required by law. However, a simple urn is included in your package and other options are available. An urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or the cremated remains are to be interred in a cemetery.

No, a casket is not required for cremation. All that is required by state law is a rigid container that is cremated with the body.

No, embalming is not required and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. We will keep your loved one in a secure & refrigerated environment as a substitute for embalming.