Collecting Ashes After a Cremation Service

December 26, 2022

Collecting Ashes After a Cremation Service

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Williams Funeral Home under cremation

What happens to your lost loved one’s ashes after their cremation service in Lawrenceburg, TN ? You have to collect their cremated remains from the cremation provider or funeral home. If you’re not sure how to collect cremains, what to do with them after you collect them, or if you have any other questions, you are not alone.

Here is information about collecting cremains after a cremation to help guide you:

Who can collect cremains from the cremation provider? The deceased’s next of kin or a person designated by the next of kin are the only ones allowed to collect cremains. If you are the next of kin and can’t collect them for some reason, you can designate someone else to collect them for you by contacting the provider and providing their information and your permission for them to pick the cremains up.
What happens to unclaimed cremated remains? Sadly, some cremains do go unclaimed. The most common reason is because the next of kin wanted the cremains shipped to them, but they never provided a shipping address or a payment method for the shipping costs. In these instances, the cremation provider will try and contact the next of kin, but if they do not receive a response, they will stop calling as it’s the responsibility of the next of kin to retrieve the cremains.
What are the steps for picking up cremains? Usually, the funeral director or cremation provider will call you to set up an appointment to collect the cremains. When you arrive, they director will show you the urn and cremation certificate, you will show your ID, and then you can take the cremains home. It’s always a good idea to bring someone with you when you pick up cremated remains as it can be a very emotional experience. Also, the exact process for picking up cremains may vary from provider to provider, so be sure to speak with your director.
Can funeral home dispose of ashes? Funeral homes and cremation providers can dispose of ashes if they are unclaimed or the next of kin requests that service. Some have crypts or burial spaces for unclaimed ashes, and most will keep a record of what they do with the remains in case the family wants to know in the future.
How long will a cremation provider hold ashes? The exact length of time a funeral home or cremation provider will hold ashes varies from provider to provider and even from state to state. In some cases, it can be 60 days up to 4 years. If you need the funeral home to hold onto the cremated remains for you, just ask. Most funeral homes can accommodate you. However, high-volume funeral homes won’t always be able to hold onto cremains as they don’t have extra space. When the time limit passes, the provider can dispose of the ashes as they see fit.

Do you have any other questions about cremated remains or Lawrenceburg, TN cremation services ? We are here to help in any way we can. Please call or visit us today to learn more.

< Older Post Newer Post >