PROVIDING LOCAL CREMATION SERVICES SINCE 1956 in Middletown, NJ
Many people wish to be cremated after their passing. Approaching the cremation process for a loved one can come with many questions. Let us help you understand funeral cremation services a little bit more. John F. Pfleger Funeral Home has performed cremation services in Middletown, New Jersey, since 1956. Over the years, we have offered compassionate and knowledgeable assistance to families seeking local cremation services. Learn more about our cremation services.
What Is Cremation?
Cremation is the process of transforming remains into ashes which can be stored in an urn or spread in a meaningful location. The cremated remains, which are often called ashes, will look like a whitish-gray powder. The cremated remains of an average-sized adult will weigh about 7 or 8 pounds. While cremation methods today use several modern tools, the practice dates back thousands of years. It has historically been the preferred method of final disposition for many cultures, like India and Nepal.
Planning Funeral Cremation Services
There are many decisions that you and the rest of the family must make once you decide that cremation is the right option for your loved one’s final disposition. Upon completing the necessary paperwork, John F. Pfleger Funeral Home will handle the rest of the cremation process. However, you and your family should consider the following:
- Does anyone want to be present for the cremation? If so, who?
- Would you like your loved one to be dressed in any particular way at the time of cremation?
- What container or urn would you like the remains to be placed in afterward?
- Who will keep the remains?
- If scattering the ashes, where will you scatter them?
- Would you like to put any personal items in the cremation casket?
- Does anyone want to view the body prior to cremation? If so, who?
- Do you plan to hold a viewing, visitation, or funeral service before cremation?
The Cremation Process
Cremation services will be conducted by a trained professional to ensure safety, respect, and consistent results. The body is placed into a preheated cremator which can reach up to 1,800 °F. During the process of cremating remains, we carefully monitor the internal temperature within the cremation chamber. On average, the cremation process takes approximately 90 minutes, although that can be affected by many different factors. Once the body is disintegrated, a magnet removes any remaining metallic particles, and large pieces of bone are ground into a uniform powder.
Why Choose Cremation
There are many reasons that people choose cremation services for themselves and their loved ones. Sometimes it’s a matter of personal preference. Other times it’s a choice motivated by economic and environmental benefits. Some of the reasons to choose cremation services include:
- Cremation is often an express preference of the deceased
- Cremation is more affordable than conventional burial or internment
- Cremation is a religious practice for some faiths
- Cremation has less impact on the environment than traditional burials
- Cremation gives the family more options for one’s final disposition
What Do People Do With Cremated Remains?
Each family must decide what to do with the remains after cremation. Some choose to keep the ashes in a decorative urn and keep it in their home on a mantel. Others prefer to spread the ashes in a special location like a beach or somewhere else in nature. There are even innovative ways to remember your loved one, such as making them into jewelry or a dazzling firework display.
Compassionate, Convenient, and Affordable
John F. Pfleger Funeral Home offers compassionate, convenient, and affordable cremation funeral services. While we have an expert crematorium staff, we also offer a wide range of death care services. We offer all the services you will need to plan and conduct the funeral your loved one deserves, from casketing and hearse use to gathering and commemoration coordination.
Schedule a Planning Conference for Cremation Services
If you need cremation services, John F. Pfleger Funeral Home can help. We offer a respectful and supportive staff who will explain every step of the process to you and answer any questions you have ahead of time. We can also help you preplan your own funeral or cremation. Contact us today to schedule a planning conference for cremation services.