Basic Cremation

Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices is well known for providing basic cremation services in Milton. We take care of everything needed to facilitate the cremation such as completing the required documentation, transfers from the place of death and to the crematorium as well as any arranging and organization that is needed with this service. Our Basic Cremation service includes everything needed and there is nothing additional that you will require to complete the cremation. This complete basic cremation service is only $1,638.50 (HST Included) and if desired, an urn or a basic funeral or memorial service can be added. 

How does the arrangement process work? (clip from AM 640)

Arrangement Process

Step 1: First Contact - Upon first contact we will take all of the necessary information over the phone, in person, or through our convenient webform to prepare the documentation and next steps. We will then take care of everything needed to complete the cremation service starting with contacting the hospital and arranging for the transfer of the deceased into our care.  Can you change funeral homes after you have started planning? (clip from AM 640)

Step 2: Arrangements - Our funeral directors will explain all of the options available to you and you can learn about them in advance by using our Basic Cremation Quote Builder. Arrangements can be made over the phone and online, or you can meet with one of our funeral directors in the Milton area. We strive to make arrangements convenient for you so the choice is completely yours.

Step 3: Documentation - We will complete all of the documentation required for the cremation process. We also offer help with settling your estate through our Basic Estate Services. Documentation can be completed by phone, online and in person in the Milton area.

Step 4: Completion - After the cremation is complete you may either pick up the remains from the crematorium or they can be delivered to you by our staff.  Payment can be made either by cheque or Visa / Mastercard and your Proof of Death Certificates will arrive in the mail shortly thereafter.

Additional Services Available with a Basic Cremation

Witnessing of cremation

A service where families wish to witness the actual cremation process. This is a very common request since this type of ceremony provides families and friends with a feeling of closure. This process can also include a short story from clergy and stories and memories from family and friends.

Identification

Being able to see a loved one before a final disposition is helpful for a sense of closure. This is not necessarily a funeral service, but an opportunity to briefly say goodbye before final disposition.

Additional Cremation Information

Benefits of Cremation

It is a more economical choice in general and in fact, 65% of all Canadians choose cremation. Besides cremations being less expensive than burials, cremation urns are considerably less expensive than caskets.

Burial costs of cremated remains are much less than the cost of burying a loved one in a casket. The costs involved with the burial of a casket are fees for the purchase and perpetual care of a grave plot, the opening and closing fees of the plot, a grave-liner and a grave-marker.

Also, cremation allows a much greater choice of location for the final resting of a loved one's cremated remains. This also allows families to choose a place of significance to scatter the loved one's remains.

Burial Versus Cremation

This question is asked of our funeral directors often, and it really comes down to what a family prefers. We are more than happy to facilitate either of these options and we offer direct simple burials and environmental options for those who choose burial. Please note that burial prices can differ due to the variation of fees in different cemeteries. The general pricing guide for our cremation option would remain the same.

Integrity

We receive positive testimonials from families on almost a daily basis. One of the attributes cited most is our commitment to integrity both in the services we offer and the way we care for our families. We want to provide a service that respects your wishes so we have created an environment that is free of high pressure sales tactics. Our commitment is to ensure that our families are aware of their options and our economical costs so they have the information to make the best choice.

What is Cremation

The word cremation comes from the Latin word "cremo" which means "to burn". Cremation involves the application of high temperature, typically between 1400 and 2100 Degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 1150 Deg. C), to a wooden box or casket which holds the deceased. The deceased and container are consumed by the heat. The entire process takes about 4 hours.

History of Cremation

Archaeologists believe that cremation started around 3000 BC. It was most likely used first in Europe or possibly the Near East. Between 800 BC and 600 BC in Greece and Rome, cremation was the most common method of final disposition. In other cultures however, other methods were being used:

The Christian church rejected cremation, partly because of its similarities with the pagan societies of Greece and Rome. The Christians buried their dead in graves. In ancient China, they were buried. Ancient Egyptians embalmed their bodies then buried them in tombs.

When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, other religions were exiled or exterminated. Burial then became the only method of disposition throughout Europe. An Italian, Professor Brunetti, developed the first modern cremation chamber in the 1870's. This caused movement towards cremation in Europe and North America. In 1886, the Roman Catholic Church banned cremations. Church members were excommunicated for arranging them up until World War II. The Eastern Orthodox ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople stated in 1961 that "There is no formal Orthodox rule against cremation, but there is a heavy weight of custom and sentiment in favour of Christian burial". There are approximately 1,100 crematories and 470,915 cremations per year in North America .