Frequently Asked Questions
The following page provides answers to the questions often asked of staff at Trent Cremation Services. We have also included the definitions for a number of terms you may hear as you make your decision about services.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us; we are always happy to talk with you.
Is a casket necessary for cremation?
A casket is not necessary however a container must be used. You will have a range of options to choose from, all meeting the basic requirements for strength and safety.
Do I need to purchase an urn?
The cremated remains will be returned to you in a basic container. The purchase of an urn is not required by law, however if you are keeping the cremated remains in your home you may want to purchase an urn.
Is embalming necessary?
Embalming is not legally required for disposition in Ontario, thus our policy requires that cremation or burial take place within 48 hours.
Can we witness the cremation?
Yes, it is possible to request to be present when the cremation process begins.
Is there funding available to help me cover the cost of cremation or burial?
Everyone’s situation is different so please talk to a professional to determine if you are eligible for financial support. We have listed a few resources on the resource page that you may find helpful.
What should I do with the cremated remains?
You have many options. You can:
- Inter them in a cemetery
- Place them in a columbarium niche
- Keep them in your home
- Scatter them in a special location
Do cremated remains ever get mixed up and returned to the wrong family?
There are strict identification procedures in the cremation process. They have a proven system for identifying the deceased and the containerization. The identification tag is placed in a cremation container with the cremated human remains.
Which is less expensive cremation or burial?
The costs depend on the services you select. However it is often the case that cremation is slightly less than a burial.
Definitions
Ashes
Cremated human remains are often referred to as ashes.
Cremation
Cremation is an alternative to burial. The casket or cremation container carrying the deceased is placed in a cremation chamber where the body is reduced to its basic elements using heat.
Columbarium
A chamber or wall in which urns containing the cremated remains of the deceased are placed.
Embalming
The process of treating the deceased’s body with a vascular and external preservative to arrest decomposition, prevent the spread of pathogens and provide an acceptable appearance for viewing.
Final Disposition
This refers to the final resting place of the deceased, which may include interment in a burial plot, placement in a niche in a columbarium or scattering of the cremated human remains.
Interment
This is another word for burial, usually accompanied by a ceremony. It includes both casket and urn burials.
Memorialization
Commemorating a life lived.
Niche
An area of the columbarium where the urn is placed.
Transfer Service
A Transfer Service is a service to the public with respect to the transportation and disposition of deceased human bodies. Transfer Services can coordinate cremations, burials and memorial services. They can also provide products such as urns, vaults, basic containers and caskets for cremations and burials.
Urn
This is the term that describes the containers used to hold cremated human remains.