Cremation FAQs

J.T. Morriss & Son has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to educate you about the cremation process, and provide information so you can make an informed decision if cremation is selected.

What needs to be done after a death takes place?
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What takes place during the funeral arrangement conference?
The funeral arrangement conference usually takes place at the funeral home, at a time decided upon between the funeral director and the family. Because it is necessary to cover a large amount of information, this conference usually lasts 1 ½ to 2 hours. During this time, the funeral director will gather vital information about the deceased that will be necessary in the completion of various forms, such as the death certificate, Social Security Administration notification of death, application for Veterans Administration benefits for any veteran of military service, and cremation authorization paperwork. This and other information is used to compose an obituary notice for publication in the newspaper. The funeral director will disclose to you very important information explaining the services that are available through the funeral home, also merchandise, such as cremation caskets, urns, etc., and the cost associated with these items. This information is not only informative, but very useful in planning a funeral or memorial service and selecting how to celebrate the memory of your loved one. All of our funeral homes have merchandise display areas where you will be informed by your funeral director on the different options that are available. At the conclusion of the arrangement conference, your funeral director will present you with a statement of funeral goods and services selected, which will outline the specific services and merchandise selected, and the total cost. When services have been pre-arranged, the arrangement conference is typically very brief, consisting only of scheduling the services and a review of the obituary information.

What is cremation?
Each cremation process is performed individually by placing the decedent in a casket or other container, and that casket or container is then placed in a cremation chamber (retort) where it is subjected to intense heat and flame. Through the use of natural gas, incineration of the container and its contents is accomplished and all substances are consumed or driven off, except bone fragments and metal(including dental gold and silver and other non human materials or prosthesis) as the temperature is not sufficient to consume them. Following the cremation, the cremated remains will be removed from the cremation chamber, and all non-combustible material (such as dental gold and silver and other non human materials or prosthesis) will be separated from the remaining human bone fragments, and removed by visible and/or magnetic selection. All non human materials will then be disposed of in a non recoverable manner. The bone fragments will then be mechanically processed and returned to the family.

Where is the cremation performed?
Here at J.T. Morriss & Son we have an onsite crematorium which allows us to oversee the entire process from beginning to end.

Are there laws governing cremation?
Yes. The Commonwealth of Virginia has very strict laws governing cremation. Under Virginia Law, no dead human body may be cremated without (i) permission of the medical examiner and either (ii) visual identification of the Decedent by his/her next of kin or an authorized agent or an agent named in advance directive or (iii) a twenty-four-hour waiting period between the time of death and the cremation.

How long does it take to cremate someone?
The cremation process takes anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to complete. This does not, however, include the time it takes for equipment to preheat or cool down.

What has to be done before the body can be cremated?
Prior to the cremation process being started there are several things steps that must be completed:

• We must obtain a signed death certificate listing a cause of death from the physician.
• A medical examiner must review the cause of death listed on the death certificate and view the individual to ensure the “condition of the body matches the cause of death,” and sign a Cremation Authorization Form.
• The next of kin or authorized agent must sign a Cremation & Disposition Authorization form.

Can the body be viewed before it is cremated?
Yes. Finding closure is a very real and important part of the grieving process and often times viewing the individual can be helpful. Families have many different options for viewing prior to the cremation process and should inquire about this if they want to.

Is a casket required for cremation?
The cremation process can be performed with or without a casket. The only requirement is that the body be placed in some type of cremation container.

Can we have a service if the body is cremated?
There are many options available with cremation. The family has the option of having any type of service or services prior to the cremation being done. Often times families will elect to have a visitation and a funeral service. After the service instead of going to the cemetery the body is cremated. Other families simply have a memorial service or a gathering after the cremation has taken place with the urn present.

What can be done with cremated human remains?
Cremains can be buried in a cemetery on the “family plot,” placed in a columbarium, kept at home, scattered, or even separated among family members. There are many options with cremated remains and what is done with them is ultimately decided by the family.

How are the cremains returned to the family?
The cremains will be returned in some type of container, called an urn. We have a variety of urns that can be used or purchased or the family can bring in their own container to be used.

What do all of these terms mean?
Next of Kin is defined under Virginia law as any of the following persons, regardless of the relationship to the decedent: any person designated to make arrangements for the disposition of the decedent’s remains upon his death (Authorized Agent – see the next section), the legal spouse, child over eighteen years of age, custodial parent, noncustodial parent, siblings over eighteen years of age, guardian of minor child, guardian of minor siblings, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, maternal siblings over eighteen years of age and paternal siblings over eighteen years of age, or any other relative in the descending order of blood relationship.

• Authorized Agent – any person may designate in a signed and notarized writing, which has been accepted in writing by the person so designated, an individual who shall make arrangements for his burial or the disposition of his remains, including cremation, upon his death.
• Cremains – what remains after the cremation process.
• Columbarium – an above ground receptacle containing niches where urns or cremains are placed.
• Inurnment – placing the cremains in an urn or placing the urn in a burial space.
• Scattering – spreading the cremains over an area of land or a body of water.
• Urn – the container which holds the cremains.

Cremation Options