The waiting period provides the time necessary for your funeral director to file for required permits and receive proper authorizations. Families frustrated by the delay should try to remember that a person's identity or cause of death can be lost forever without great attention to these matters prior to cremation. Some people are surprised to learn that cremation does not preclude a funeral with all the traditional aspects of the ceremony. Visitation or viewing with a funeral ceremony and church or memorial services are options to be considered. In some states, funeral homes are permitted to rent caskets for viewing and services.
Cremation is selected for many reasons ranging from religious beliefs or ethnic customs to cost.
Most families electing cremation are believed to do so simply because of personal preference. Cremation, or any other funeral service option, should not be selected in an attempt to hasten or circumvent the grieving process, which is a necessary part of re-adjusting to life after death has delivered a great sense of pain and loss. Crematories generally require containment of the body in an appropriate casket or other acceptably rigid container. Your funeral director can explain the specific requirements of crematories in your area. The containerized body is not removed or disturbed after it arrives at the crematory, and is placed in a furnace or retort.