About Cremation Services
Cremation Services are a popular choice today, but some families in Richfield, Bloomington, Edina, and Minneapolis, may not completely understand this process.
Perhaps you've been told that you must have a membership with a cremation society to be cremated, or that choosing cremation means family and friends cannot participate in a visitation or viewing, or other funeral services.
We want you to know that neither of these misconceptions are fact, and it is important to realize that cremation is simply a means of final disposition, it does not limit the types of available services.
Service Options to Commemorate a Life through Cremation
Families that choose Cremation still experience many ways to personalize funeral services.
Cremation with a Memorial Service
The body is cremated, the cremated remains are placed in an urn or special container, and a memorial service (sometimes called a “Celebration of Life”) at our funeral home, or the church or location of your choosing, follows.
After the service is complete, the cremated remains can be inurned (buried), scattered, or returned to the family.
Cremation following a Traditional Service
The deceased is prepared in the same manner as for burial (embalming, hair dressing, makeup, clothing, etc.) and placed in a casket for a visitation and funeral service. We offer "cremation caskets" that are economically priced and designed to be cremated.
We also offer a "rental casket" option. The outer shell of the casket is reused, while a brand new inner liner temporarily holds the body for services, and then becomes the container in which the body is cremated.
After the service is complete, the body is cremated, and the cremated remains can be inurned (buried), scattered, or returned to the family.
Cremation with a Veterans Service
The body is cremated, the cremated remains are placed in an urn or special container, and a memorial service (sometimes called a “Celebration of Life”) at our funeral home, or the church or location of your choosing, follows.
After the service is complete, special military honors, rites, or ceremonies occur at the chosen cemetery.
Cremation with a Graveside Service
The body is cremated, the cremated remains are placed in an urn or special container, and a Graveside Service occurs at the place of burial.
Direct Cremation
No funeral services or viewings occur after death. The body is not prepared in any way, and an alternative container is used instead of a casket. The body is immediately cremated, and the cremated remains can be inurned (buried), scattered, or returned to the family.
While Direct Cremation might seem like an easier and less expensive alternative to a Cremation with a Memorial Service, grief experts believe that having some type of ceremony to honor the deceased better helps loved ones through the healing process. However, please know that if Direct Cremation is what you desire, our funeral directors will always honor your wishes.
Cremation Products
We offer a large selection of cremation urns, cremation urn-vaults, and cremation jewelry.
Cremation FAQs
If your question isn't answered here, one of our funeral directors would be happy to assist you.
After the cremation, the cremated remains have the consistency of very coarse sand or gravel, and are whitish to light grey in color. The cremated remains of an average size adult usually weigh from 4-8 pounds. Sometimes, people refer to these remains as ashes or cremains.
However, certain services that include cremation as the disposition, such as cremation followed by a memorial service or following a service with viewing, can actually be about the same price as services that include a casket, embalming, etc. Some cremation providers advertise very low prices, but later add fees for many additional services that are included in our charges up front.
In this situation, you have the option of selecting a less expensive casket specially made for the cremation process, or you may use our rental casket for services, after which the body will be cremated in an alternative container.
You may also schedule a private family viewing, during which the deceased may be viewed in a natural state.
We do not charge an extra fee for this service.
Lakewood is a well-respected association that has performed cremation since 1910. Transportation to and from Lakewood is always provided by our staff, not another party. This arrangement ensures that proper procedure is always followed, and it helps us keep our prices very competitive.
Certain cemeteries require an outer burial container called an urn vault for in-ground burial of cremated remains.