Questions About Cremation

Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to its basic elements by subjecting the body to intense heat and flame.  

No, a casket is not required.  Most crematories require an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard. If no container is provided by the family, we can provide a cardboard container with a reinforced plywood bottom. We also place the deceased in a vinyl pouch for sanitary purposes. 

No. In New York State, embalming is not required by law under any circumstances and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. You have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for embalming (such as a direct cremation or direct burial). Embalming is usually a necessity for open casket viewings or funerals. 

Yes, we can accommodate the immediate family members to view the deceased prior to cremation at our facility. 

Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber.  Some religious groups ask for this as part of their funeral custom. In eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, cremation is mandated and generally a member of the family starts the process. 

Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service.  Most Catholic Churches also allow the remains to be present during the Memorial Mass. Including cremated remains as a part of the funeral provides a focal point for the service. 

While laws vary state by state, for the most part, remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or in a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered.

All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error.  Since it is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time, and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time, it is next to impossible to receive the incorrect remains. To learn about our 10-steps please read about our exclusive Cremation with Confidence guarantee. 

It all depends on the weight the individual's weight.  For an average sized adult, cremation can take two to three hours at a normal operating temperature of between 1,700 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color.                                       

The remains of an average sized adult usually weigh between 7 and 8 pounds.

An urn is not required by law.  An urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery or kept in the home.  If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary container.

It is highly recommended to have an obituary notice that is either placed in a local newspaper or posted online. However it is not a legal requirement.

An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and provides them with information about the service {if applicable}.  Obituaries generally include the deceased’s full name, age, city, and date of birth, as well as the city they were living in when they died.  It also includes the name of the deceased’s spouse, along with the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children, or grandchildren.  Space may be limited in a newspaper obituary, but you might also wish to include a short sentiment on the life and legacy of the deceased.  An online obituary or memorial website offers you the chance to add a lot more about the deceased. 

Simple Choices provides an obituary with a photo on our website at no charge to the family, where relatives and friends may express condolences and tell stories of the deceased. 

Funeral directors are in charge of all the logistics following a death.  They complete all the necessary paperwork, make arrangements for the transportation of the body, and put into action the choices made by the family in regards to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body.  Beyond all of this, funeral directors are there to provide emotional support and personal guidance in the wake of a loss.

We are here to help. Please call us immediately at (518) 435-8030
A Funeral Directors is on call and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Call Simple Choices first at (518) 435-8030
We can arrange to have the remains transported from just about anywhere. 
We will assume responsibility and make the proper arrangements to have the remains return to the community. 

• If the person was not under hospice care, the police will have to be notified immediately. 
• The police will be dispatched to the home and will place the call to the coroner or medical examiner. 
• From there, the coroner or medical examiner will remove the body and determine whether further action is necessary. 
• The coroner or medical examiner must release the body before a funeral home can do anything.  

If the person was under hospice care, contact the hospice representative, and they will notify family members what the proper procedures are to follow.

• The staff of a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death has occurred. 

• If a funeral home has been provided to the hospital or nursing home, they will be notified at the time of passing. 

• If you are present at the hospital when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased's wishes and set up a time to make arrangements. If you are not present, a funeral director will contact you by telephone to discuss these arrangements.

Once everything has been cleared with the proper authorities, the next call you place should be to a licensed funeral director.

Funeral directors are here to help you obtain a death certificate, transport the body, and, in the event pre-planning was not done, select a casket or urn and arrange the funeral or memorial service.  The funeral director will also help you notify the employer and insurance company of the deceased. 

Funeral directors are there to help you and advise you.

You should meet with a funeral director within 24 hours of a death to begin making final arrangements for your loved one.

 Deciding on these final arrangements may seem like a very daunting task, especially when you are in heightened emotional state. Do not worry: Our staff have 50 years of experience, and will strive to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

First, the Funeral Director will gather information required for the death certificate. 

This includes:

NYS DEATH CERTIFICATE VITAL STATISTICS:

• Decedent's Full Legal Name:
• Date of Birth:
• Place of Birth (City & State):
• Parent's Names/Mother's Maiden
• Social Security Number 
• Served in the Armed Forces? Yes/No
• Race/Ethnicity:
• Highest Grade Completed
• Usual Occupation 
• Type of Business/Industry 
• Name & Locality of Employer
• Marital Status 
• Spouse's Name 
• Legal Residence:
• Next of Kin Full Legal Name
• Next of Kin Address (if different): 
• Relationship to Deceased
• Telephone Number 

The funeral director will also need pertinent documents required to do all the legal paperwork, which may include:

• Life Insurance Policies

• Veteran's Honorable Discharge Paperwork 

• Cemetery Deed