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Cremation Services in Punta Gorda, FL
In recent decades, cremation has grown in popularity. In fact, according to the NFDA, the rate of cremation has already surpassed burial and will continue to do so. Due to this growing popularity, our funeral home is proud to offer cremation services in Punta Gorda, FL.
What is Cremation?
Cremation is when the deceased’s body is placed in a cremation container and then incinerated, leaving ashes behind. Families then receive their loved one’s ashes and can choose to bury, scatter, or keep them. Typically, the ashes are held in a container such as an urn.
Why Choose Cremation?
There are several reasons why you may choose a cremation service. Some reasons include religious or personal beliefs, desire to be more environmentally friendly, and the cost. Although cremations services typically cost less than burial services, that shouldn’t be a sole deciding factor. You should choose whatever funeral service type is right for you and your loved ones.
5 Types of Cremation Services
Not only can you have a visitation and funeral service with cremation, we strongly encourage you to do so. Every life deserves to be remembered, and a service gives family and friends the opportunity to honor their loved one’s life and begin their grief journey.
Cremation services can take place before or after the cremation, and you also can choose to hold a visitation before the cremation occurs.
There are several cremation service types you can choose from, including:
- Service with a visitation before the cremation takes place. The deceased’s body will be embalmed and prepared for viewing. Guests will get to view the body and have a funeral service, and the body will be cremated afterwards.
- Direct cremation. With this option, the deceased’s body is cremated immediately after the death without a viewing first.
- Cremation with a service. The deceased is cremated right away and then a funeral service is held after.
- Cremation with a graveside service. The deceased is cremated right away and then a funeral service is held at their gravesite afterwards.
- Cremation with a celebration of life service. Like the other options, the deceased is cremated right away. Celebration of life services typically take place after the funeral and are more personalized than a traditional funeral. They also can take place outside of the funeral home.
3 Cremation Service Personalization Ideas
Depending on your desired final disposition, there are several ways to personalize cremation services, including:
- Having a graveside service before the burial of your loved one’s cremated remains. This way family and friends can pay their final respects. It’s a time to reflect on the deceased’s life.
- Holding a service for scattering your loved one’s ashes in a memorial garden or another meaningful location. Which places were special to your loved one? Where did they visit often? These might be good locations to scatter their ashes.
- Placing the cremated remains in multiple urns so everyone can have their loved one’s final resting place close to them. This way each individual can choose whether they want to keep the ashes or scatter them somewhere special.
Learn More About Our Cremation Options
Ready to Plan a Cremation Service?
With our array of personalized options, there is an option for every family’s wants and needs. Our staff is confident we can help you plan a cremation service that truly pays tribute to your loved one.
Visit our funeral home or contact us to learn more cremation information.
The following forms are available as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)* files for you to download:
Download Cremation Authorization Form
Cremation Packages
Direct Cremation From $1,800 to $7,695
This charge includes Basic Professional Services of Funeral Director and Staff for Obtaining and Filing Legal Documents; Sanitary Care of the Remains; Use of Facilities and Equipment; Removal of the Deceased from the Place of Death to the Mortuary (within a 20 mile radius); Embalming or Refrigeration; Transportation of the Deceased to the Crematory; and the Cremation Process. If you want to arrange a direct cremation, you can use an alternative container. Alternative containers encase the body and can be made of materials like fiberboard or composition materials (with or without an outside covering). The containers we provide are cardboard and composition wood box.
Direct Cremation with Alternative Container made of Cardboard Box: $1,995
Direct Cremation with Standard Alternative Container: $2,280
Direct Cremation with Container Provided by Purchaser: $1,800
Direct Cremation with Casket Selected by Purchaser From $2,995 to $7,695
Cremation FAQs
What is cremation?
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone particles and ash through the application of direct flame and intense heat.
What are the legal requirements for cremation in Florida?
What are the legal requirements for cremation in Florida?
There are three basic legal requirements which must be met before a cremation can be performed in Florida. First, at least 48 hours must elapse between the time of death and the time of the cremation. Second, a legally authorized individual must give permission for the cremation in writing. Third, the District Medical Examiner must give approval for the cremation which requires a completed death certificate by a physician for their review.
How long does the cremation process take?
How long does the cremation process take?
It depends on the size of the individual and the type of cremation container. Typically, the process takes about 2 hours at a normal operating temperature of 1600 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens following the cremation process?
What happens following the cremation process?
Following the actual cremation, all bone particles and other materials are retrieved from the cremation chamber by sweeping them into a stainless steel collection pan for cooling. Once cooled, all metal materials (metal casket parts, hip joints, & bridgework) are removed by both visual inspection and use of a strong magnet. The remaining bone particles and ash are then reduced into a small, consistent size and placed in the selected urn.
Can I have a service with cremation?
Can I have a service with cremation?
For those desiring cremation, you actually have more options and flexibility when it comes to service offerings. Everything is available from a traditional funeral ceremony followed by cremation and then burial, private family viewing to have closure, to a memorial service after the cremation has occurred. Furthermore, since we are not restricted by the operating hours of the cemetery, you have the flexibility to schedule your ceremonies for day or night.
Is embalming required?
Is embalming required?
No. Florida law does require that the body be embalmed or held in refrigeration following 24 hours after death. We provide on-site refrigeration in which the deceased may be held for the necessary waiting period. Embalming, however, is necessary when a cremation ceremony involves a public viewing. Families may choose to have a private family viewing within the first 48-hours after death with or without embalming.
Is a casket necessary for cremation?
Is a casket necessary for cremation?
Florida law does require that the body be held in a rigid, leak-proof container for dignified storage, transfer and handling. Today, we have a variety of cremation containers that are very economical and manufactured specifically for cremation.
Do I Need An Urn?
Do I Need An Urn?
If an urn is not purchased through us or included in a package, the family must provide a container suitable to accommodate the cremated remains of at least 200 cubic inches.
What can be done with the cremated remains?
What can be done with the cremated remains?
Your options are many. The cremated remains can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, kept at home, scattered on private property or at least 3 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, placed in a necklace or have a diamond created. Our staff can assist you in exploring those options.
What do cremated remains look like?
What do cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse beach sand. They are typically light gray in color, but may be very dark depending on several factors. The cremated remains of an average size adult would weigh between 5-8 pounds and usually take up 200 cubic inches of volume or less. Except for some minuscule amount of cremated remains which cannot practically be removed from the cremation chamber, all remains are placed in the selected urn. If the amount of cremated remains cannot fit in the selected urn, then any excess remains would be returned in a temporary urn supplied by our crematory.
If I wish to be cremated, what options do I have?
If I wish to be cremated, what options do I have?
There are several choices available, and the following pages offer some options for you to consider. These options should be used as a guide to help you create a personal ceremony that best suits your individual and family needs. The decisions you make truly do depend on the manner in which you choose to recognize the life that has been lived. Cremation may actually present you with additional options in funeral planning. You can choose to have the casketed remains present for the ceremony or to have a memorial ceremony without the casket present. Some individuals may choose to have a viewing followed by a ceremony at a later date and others may wish to have a ceremony in conjunction with the scattering or placement of the cremated remains. The combination of options are limited only to your wishes and the personal needs of your family members.
Do all religions permit cremation?
Do all religions permit cremation?
Religious positions vary widely regarding cremation. Some require it, others disallow or advise against it, and others take no position at all. Most, however, will allow you to decide. If you are uncertain as to the position your religion embraces, speak directly with your clergy.
Is a Funeral Director Necessary?
Is a Funeral Director Necessary?
Yes. Florida law does require a Funeral Director if you are going to have any type of ceremony, view the body and for disposition of the remains by cremation or burial. Cremation Societies/Direct Disposition facilities are not allowed to assist families with ceremonies or viewing the deceased. Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the deceased human remains, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the service and final disposition of the deceased human remains. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community. Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Service is a licensed funeral establishment under Florida law and therefore can assist you with whatever you wish.
