What is Cremation?

What is Cremation?

To start, it might be easier to clarify what cremation is not. Cremation is neither the final disposition of the remains nor a specific type of funeral service. Instead, it is a process that uses high heat and flame to reduce the human body to bone fragments.

The duration of cremation varies based on the individual's weight. For an average-sized adult, the process typically takes two to three hours, with the crematory operating at temperatures between 1,500 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

All organic bone fragments, which are fragile, along with any non-consumed metal items, are carefully swept into the front of the cremation chamber and transferred into a stainless steel cooling pan. Non-consumed items, such as metal from clothing, hip joints, or dental work, are separated from the cremated remains. This is done through visual inspection and by using a strong magnet to remove smaller metallic objects. The remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to create a uniform consistency and placed into either a temporary or permanent urn, depending on the family’s selection.



Because of the cremation process, any personal possessions or valuable materials, such as dental gold, silver, or jewelry (as well as prosthetics or dental bridgework), that remain with the deceased and are not removed from the casket or container before cremation will either be destroyed or, if intact, disposed of by the crematory. Items suitable for recycling will be recycled, with any proceeds donated to charity. Families must make arrangements with the funeral home if they wish to remove any personal possessions or valuables before the cremation takes place.

Cremated remains have a texture similar to coarse sand and typically appear in shades of whitish to light gray. The remains of an average-sized adult usually weigh between four to eight pounds.

The cremated remains will be placed in a basic plastic urn at no additional cost. Alternatively, you may choose to have them placed in an urn of your preference.

With the exception of tiny and microscopic particles that cannot be retrieved from the cremation chamber and processing equipment, all of the cremated remains are returned to the family.

There are many options for the final placement of cremated remains. They can be buried in a cemetery plot or cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property. We also offer several personalized options, such as scattering by helicopter. Our staff is available to discuss these choices with you and assist with any arrangements you may need.

Yes. There are laws specific to cremation in the state of Wisconsin concerning cremation. Please refer to state statutes.

In the state of Wisconsin, an individual cannot authorize their own cremation. According to Wisconsin Legislature 154.30, the right to control the final disposition of remains follows a specific order of kinship. The process begins with a pre-designated "Authorized Agent." If no such agent has been named, the right passes to the spouse (if legally married at the time of death), followed by a majority of biological children, then parents, and so on.

In many cases, there is no pre-designated Authorized Agent, so the spouse typically assumes control. However, individuals who may not be in contact with their family or wish to designate someone other than a family member—such as a domestic partner or friend—can do so by completing the necessary paperwork before death. The state provides a form called "Authorization for Final Disposition" for this purpose. If you would like a copy of this form, please contact us, and we will send it to you.



Please note that a "Power of Attorney" (POA) becomes void upon death and does not grant the legal authority to authorize cremation.

According to Wisconsin State Statute 440.78(5): "A crematory authority may not cremate the remains of more than one individual at the same time in the same cremation chamber unless prior written consent is obtained from the person directing the cremation of each decedent."

The timing from the date of death to the actual cremation depends on several external factors. Wisconsin state law requires a minimum of 48 hours to pass from the time of death before cremation can take place.

Additionally, we must receive all signed documentation from the Authorized Agent. Once we have the necessary information about the deceased, we enter it into the state's online vital records system. From there, we wait for the designated doctor (or, in some cases, the coroner or medical examiner) to determine the cause of death and sign the death certificate. Afterward, we can request a cremation permit from the coroner or medical examiner in the county where the death occurred. Please note that each of these steps may take several days, depending on the workload of the doctor and coroner/medical examiner. Once the cremation permit is obtained, we can schedule the cremation.



While we strive to complete the process as efficiently as possible, we recommend consulting with the funeral director before scheduling a memorial service where the cremated remains are expected to be present. The funeral director will provide an estimated timeline, helping to avoid any confusion or delays in planning the service.

In most instances, yes. Please discuss this with the funeral director to make arrangements to do so.

We have implemented a rigorous set of operating policies and procedures to ensure the highest level of quality and minimize the risk of human error. Positive identification of the deceased is carefully maintained at every stage of the cremation process. Additionally, only certified professionals are authorized to operate our cremation equipment, ensuring that all procedures are handled with the utmost care and expertise.