At Liberty Cremations, we believe families deserve clear, compassionate guidance when making final arrangements. Direct cremation is one of the simplest, most affordable options available, but many people are unsure of what the process involves.
To help you understand, here’s a step-by-step overview of what happens during direct cremation.
Step 1: Initial Contact and First Arrangements
You will contact a member of our team, and we will take all the necessary contact details and send you over a couple of forms which need completing easily online via DocuSign. You will need to arrange to register the death of the person who has died after speaking with the Medical Examiner or the Coroner. We handle all the set up over the phone, making the process easy and convenient. We will send over the final account so that you can make payment to us,
Step 2: Transportation to our Funeral Home
Our team will arrange for the deceased person to be transported to our Funeral Home using our funeral vehicle. This is done with the utmost respect and care, and we will keep you updated as to when this will take place. We collect from Hospitals, Coroners, Funeral Homes or Public Mortuaries once the necessary paperwork has been completed and signed and the payment has been made.
Step 3: Care of the Person Who Has Died
Once the person who has died has entered into our care, we look after them with care and respect in our mortuaries which are spot checked by the National Association of Funeral Directors and our local authority. We prepare a simple coffin, suitable for cremation. Whilst family and friends are not able to visit the Funeral Home, our team is on hand to take calls at all times should there be any questions or concerns.
Step 4: The Cremation Process
Cremation takes at a local crematorium which is hand-selected to ensure the highest standards are met. The body is placed in a specialised chamber, where heat and flame reduce the body to bone fragments. This process usually lasts 2–3 hours. Afterward, the remains are carefully cooled and processed into a fine, sand-like consistency known as cremated remains or ashes. Crematoria use a multi-step identification process including checking the coffin’s nameplate against the cremation order, placing a unique identifying card with the coffin, and processing cremations one at a time. Each cremation chamber can only hold one coffin, and all ashes are removed and collected before the next cremation occurs.
Step 5: Returning the Ashes
Most companies just return the ashes in a temporary cardboard container from the crematorium however at Liberty Cremations we provide a Scatter Tube which the ashes will be added to after the cremation. Families may receive them at our facility or have them hand delivered by a member of our team. Alternatively, we can arrange for the ashes to be scattered at the Crematorium’s garden of remembrance after the cremation if you would prefer. At this stage, you can choose to keep or scatter the ashes in a way that feels right to you.
What makes a direct cremation with Liberty Cremations different?
We believe that a direct cremation isn’t just about cost or simple solutions.
We operate with a small team of professional funeral directors and arrangers who are committed to a modern approach but with all the dignity and respect you would expect from a traditional funeral director. Being part of CPJ Field, we have a 300-year history of funeral arranging. Our approach is to treat each family individually and we stay in contact throughout the funeral process.
If plans change, which they can do, we offer the option to ‘upgrade’ your funeral to a full-service funeral should you change your mind.
Let us help you
Whatever you wish for, we are here to help you arrange it.
We carry out direct cremations throughout the Southeast. You will receive a personal service, second to none.