Cremation & Scattering the ashes

Cremation & Scattering The Ashes

1. First, the big picture

Cremation is a controlled, carefully monitored process that reduces the body to bone fragments using heat.

It’s not chaotic.

It’s not rushed.

It’s not automated.

It’s not a conveyor belt.

It’s a step‑by‑step procedure carried out by trained professionals who take their work seriously.



At Covenant Funeral & Crematory, it’s done on‑site, by our team, under our standards, with your trust at the center of every step.

2. Identification is the foundation of everything

Before anything happens, we confirm identity multiple times.

This includes:

• written documentation
• physical ID checks
• internal tracking
• a permanent identification tag that is placed before cremation begins and stays with the person throughout the entire cremation process

This tag remains with them from the moment the cremation process starts until the cremated remains are returned to the family.

It’s simple, reliable, and ensures continuity from start to finish.

You should never have to wonder if the right person is being cared for.

We make sure of it.

3. The cremation container

Your loved one is placed in a cremation‑approved container — usually a rigid, combustible box.

Not a bag.

Not something flimsy.

Something that protects their privacy and allows the process to be handled respectfully.

No one is ever placed directly into the chamber without a container.

Ever.

4. The cremation chamber (the part people are most curious about)

The cremation chamber — often called a “retort” — is a high‑heat, brick‑lined space designed specifically for this purpose.

A few things people are relieved to learn:

• It is one person at a time.
• It is not a furnace with flames shooting everywhere.
• It is not a metal drawer situation like on TV.
• It is quiet, controlled, and monitored throughout.



The process takes about 2–3 hours, depending on the person and the equipment.

5. What actually happens inside

Here’s the clear, simple version:

• The chamber reaches a high temperature.
• The container and soft tissues are reduced.
• What remains are bone fragments.
• Those fragments are carefully collected once the chamber cools.

There is nothing graphic, nothing chaotic, and nothing disrespectful about this part of the process.

It is steady, controlled, and handled with care.

6. Processing the remains

After cooling, the bone fragments are placed into a processor — a machine that gently reduces them to the consistency most people recognize as “ashes.”

This is standard.

This is normal.

This is part of the process everywhere — not just here.

The permanent identification tag stays with the remains the entire time.

7. Placing the cremated remains in the urn

Once processed, the cremated remains are placed into:

• the urn you selected
• or a temporary container if you haven’t chosen one yet



We label everything clearly and double‑check all documentation before anything leaves our care.

No surprises.

No mix‑ups.

No confusion.

8. What families often ask (and what we want you to know)

“Can we see the crematory?”

Yes.

You’re welcome to.

Transparency is part of our culture.

“Can we be present?”

Some families want to be there for the start of the process.

We can accommodate that with planning.

“Is it really one person at a time?”

Yes.

Always.

No exceptions.

“Do you cremate on‑site?”

Yes — and that matters.

It means your loved one never leaves our care.

“How do I know it’s really them?”

Because we use a multi‑step identification system that follows your loved one throughout the entire cremation process.

9. Why transparency matters

Cremation should not feel mysterious.

It should not feel hidden.

It should not feel like something you’re not allowed to ask about.

When families understand the process, they feel safer.

When hospice staff understand it, they feel confident.

When everyone knows what actually happens, trust becomes the default — not the exception.

That’s why we explain it clearly.

That’s why we do it on‑site.

That’s why we invite questions instead of avoiding them.

If You Remember Nothing Else

Remember this:

Cremation is a careful, respectful, transparent process — not a mystery.

Your loved one stays in our care.

You’re welcome to ask anything.

Urn and Ashes

1. You Don’t Have to Decide Right Away

This is the part almost no one tells you:

You can wait.

You can keep the urn at home for:

• a week
• a month
• a year
• longer

There is no expiration date on decisions like this.

Sometimes clarity comes with time.

Sometimes the right choice shows up later.

Sometimes the family needs to breathe before making another decision.

Waiting is not “putting it off.”

Waiting is normal.

2. Keeping the Ashes at Home

A lot of families choose to keep the urn at home — permanently or temporarily.Common reasons:

• it feels comforting
• it keeps the person close
• the family isn’t ready to scatter
• they want to wait for a meaningful date
• they want to decide together

There’s no stigma.

There’s no judgment.

There’s no “should.”

If it feels right, it’s right.

3. Scattering the Ashes

Scattering is simple, grounding, and—best of all—doesn't involve buying a piece of cemetery real estate you’ll eventually have to weed-whack.

Most families head for the spots that actually meant something:

• The favorite hiking trail (the one they complained about but loved anyway).
• A lake, river, or a specific fishing hole.
• The backyard or the family garden.
• An overlook or a travel destination they obsessed over.

The "Is This Legal?" Question Most people worry about the "Scattering Police." In reality, they don't exist, but common sense does. Most public lands (like State and National Parks) are perfectly fine with scattering, though they often ask for a simple, free permit so you aren't doing it in a protected nesting ground or a crowded trailhead.

The basic rule of thumb: Be a good neighbor. If you aren't dumping ashes on someone’s private dock or into a neighbor’s swimming pool, you’re usually in the clear. If it’s a public lake or the ocean, just move away from the swimming areas and the boat ramps.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Private property: If you don’t own it, get permission. (Or be very discreet).
• National Parks: They are usually pro-scattering; they just want a heads-up.
• At Sea: Legal and encouraged, provided you’re at least three miles out.
• The "Multiple Choice" Option: There is no rule that says the ashes must go in one spot. If they loved the mountains and the beach, put some in both. If five grandkids want to take a little bit to five different states, do it.

The point is: People are allowed to have more than one meaningful place. You don't have to choose just one, and you don't have to make it a state funeral.

4. Sharing the Ashes

Some families want to divide the ashes so multiple people can keep a portion.

This is completely normal.

Options include:

• small keepsake urns
• jewelry designed to hold a tiny amount
• scattering some and keeping some
• giving each child or sibling a portion

There is no “minimum amount” required for meaning.

A small amount can be enough.

5. Burial of Ashes

Cremated remains can be buried in:

• a cemetery plot
• a family plot
• a columbarium niche
• a churchyard (if allowed)

Burial gives families a physical place to visit, which some people find grounding.

It’s also an option for families who want something traditional without the pressure of a full burial service.

6. Creative or Personalized Options

Some families choose something unique, meaningful, or symbolic.

Examples include:

• planting a tree with a biodegradable urn
• incorporating ashes into artwork
• placing ashes in a memorial reef
• scattering during a hike or family gathering
• keeping a small amount in a locket or charm

You don’t have to choose something elaborate.

But if something creative feels right, it’s allowed.

7. What Families Often Worry About (But Don’t Need To)

• “Is it disrespectful to scatter?”

No. It’s one of the most common choices.

• “Is it weird to keep the urn at home?”

No. Many families do.

• “Is it okay to divide the ashes?”

Yes. Completely.

• “Is it wrong to wait?”

No. Waiting is normal.

• “Is it okay if we don’t all agree?”

Yes. You can choose a combination of options.

There is no moral scorecard here.

There is only what feels right for your family.

8. What Actually Matters

• choosing something meaningful
• taking your time
• involving the people who want to be involved
• not forcing the people who don’t
• honoring the person in a way that feels natural

This is not a test.

This is not a performance.

This is a personal decision.

If You Remember Nothing Else

Remember this:

There is no wrong choice.

There is no deadline.

There is no “should.”

You can keep the ashes.

You can scatter them.

You can share them.

You can bury them.

You can wait until the moment feels right.

Whatever you choose, it’s valid — because it’s yours.