Cremation Services

Why choose cremation?...

When considering cremation, it is important to understand that cremation is neither an alternative to, nor a rejection of a traditional funeral. Instead, cremation is merely one form of bodily disposition from which you can choose. In other words, if you select cremation for yourself or someone you love, you can still hold a wake/visitation and/or a religious or secular ceremony before cremation if you wish. You also have the ability to hold services following cremation, whether that be a religious ceremony, memorial service, or a celebration of life at a meaningful location.

Some of the many reasons people choose cremation in lieu of burial are:

• Personal preference - some people 'just know' they wish to be cremated
• Spiritual beliefs - religions that were once opposed to cremation have begun to take a more relaxed position
• Finances - cremation can be a much less expensive alternative to a traditional casket burial
• Flexibility - services can occur at a timeline convenient for survivors
• Personalization - cremated remains may be divided for burial, scattering, keepsake portions, or jewelry
• Ease of transport - cremated remains are easy to transport in an increasingly transient world

Our Cremation Difference...  

Many people often say “It’s just a cremation” and they believe that very little work or preparation is entailed. That is a great misconception regarding this form of disposition.

Cremation is an irreversible process and therefore carries the potential for great liability. Many people feel that they can shop for a cremation provider until they find the lowest price. What they fail to recognize is that the lowest cost provider may not be providing the dignity and professional guarantees that our firm will extend. If you shop for a cremation provider based solely on cost, you will find one. Often, these companies cut corners with respect to the transportation, sheltering, and dignified care of a loved one's remains. The care of your loved one becomes a transaction as opposed to a personalized service and experience.

Although there are options with cremation ranging from a full-service wake and religious service, to a cremation with a later memorial gathering, one thing does not change – our commitment to the solemnity of the life that has passed. Our level of care does not waiver regardless of the method of disposition. We remain a dedicated and caring staff of professionals that avail ourselves to a family 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We take the time to meet with you, answer your questions, allay your concerns and provide you with the full benefit of our professionalism and expertise.

What we will do...  

• Treat your loved one with the highest level of professionalism, dignity, courtesy and reverence
• Transport your loved one individually in a private funeral coach with a licensed funeral director in attendance
• Transport your loved one to a reputable crematory that we have personally inspected
• Ensure proper chain of custody between your loved one’s human remains and cremation. We will also ensure a proper timeline for the return of their remains to you
• Assist you and explain your options for services and your loved one's final resting place

What we will not do...  

• Show disregard for the security of the deceased nor do anything to devalue their humanity
• Leave your loved one at an unfamiliar or out of state facility
• Consider our obligation complete until you have received and accepted your loved one’s cremains
• Anything to diminish the dignity of your loved one or our reputation

Viewing: A Personal Choice...

A common component of North American funeral service is the professional embalming and open-casket viewing (whether public or private) of the dead human body prior to the cremation process taking place. It allows for family and friends to visit with the deceased one final time, pay their final respects, find closure, and accept the loss. Private family viewings without embalming may also be arranged for immediate family members. Hospice organizations are increasingly trained to support and guide families who may wish to wash or dress their deceased loved one as a final act of care. In these instances, private family viewings may also occur at the place of passing, prior to us bringing your loved one into our care.

Viewing is a deeply personal experience and deeply personal choice which may only be made once. Some choose to view the body due to religious reasons, while others choose to do so for personal reasons. Some feel that viewing the body is a natural part of the funeral process, while others feel that it is unnecessary.

According to Dr. Alan Wolfelt, one of North America's leading death educators, viewing and spending time with the body of a loved one is a way of honoring the transition from life to death. As Dr. Wolfelt states, "viewing allows the acceptance of the reality and finality of death." Whether it is a private family viewing without embalming or large public visitation, we always recommend that families give themselves and others the opportunity to say their final goodbyes whenever possible. COVID-19 has further reiterated this belief, as we found that many families were unable to visit with their loved one as healthcare facilities all but shut down to visitors.

In considering your wishes, bear in mind those family members or friends who may want or need to have this time. It is a decision that can only be made once, and a decision that may even be taken for granted. If someone does not wish to view their deceased loved one, that is perfectly fine - the important thing is that they were given the opportunity to have this final moment of closure.

Our Professional Guarantee...  

As funeral service professionals we understand that when we are entrusted with the earthly remains of a loved one, that we are being entrusted with a family’s most prized possession. All of our embalming, cosmetology, restorative art, identification, and sanitary care procedures are performed by members of our family who are duly licensed Massachusetts Funeral Directors and Embalmers. The transportation and physical care of your loved one will never be entrusted to unlicensed individuals, strangers, or third-party contractors.

Cremation Service Options