Cremation is gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional funerals because it’s a cost-effective option that gives the family of the departed more freedom on how to memorialize their loved one. If you’re considering cremation services in Seattle, WA, the staff at Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory believes they should offer the same level of personalized attention as our funerals. Read on to learn how we can help you arrange cremation services combined with a perfect celebration of life.
How Is Cremation Performed?
After we take custody of the body, our staff of experienced crematory workers will prep the body for cremation. We offer visitation for those who want to pay tribute before the cremation process. The body is then placed in a cremator, a powerful oven that heats up to 1800 degrees fahrenheit and reduces the body down to sterile bone ash for easy storage in an urn or for scattering.
What is Aquamation?
Aquamation, or water cremation, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation services that uses an alkaline solution to speed up the body’s decay. It takes longer than a traditional cremation, but the process can be accomplished in one day and results in the same bone ash at a fraction of the carbon footprint.
Funeral Services and Cremation
Our full-service cremation services package includes the services of our funeral director and staff and all the amenities of care for the remains you would get with a funeral. This includes a funeral service in our chapel or the staff and equipment you’ll need to put on a memorial service at a separate location. We also offer the option to witness the cremation for an additional fee, along with our fleet of limousines and a funeral coach for a procession.
For those who want a more modest service, we offer lower-cost options that don’t include visitation or have a smaller memorial service rather than a full funeral. Many of our clients wish to scatter the ashes or have a private memorial at home, so we offer a low-cost basic cremation option for those who want to receive the ashes immediately after cremation.
Cremation Vessels
After cremation, you’ll receive the ashes in a transport vessel before they’re placed in their final resting place. Some clients choose to have the ashes interred in a grave or family crypt, which we can arrange with local cemeteries. A common choice is an artistic urn which will serve as a centerpiece at home, and we offer a wide range of styles. For those who would like the ashes divided so many family members can keep the remains close, we offer a selection of jewelry and vials, along with transport urns for those who want to scatter the ashes.
If cremation services in Seattle, WA are right for memorializing your loved one, we can handle the process from beginning to end. Set up a consultation with Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory at our offices at 4567 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle, WA, 98118, or reach us on our website or by phone at (206) 722-1100.